Welcome Home, Alex Ovechkin
by J.P. on Feb 26, 2010 10:30 AM EST
123 comments
"Every Canadian dreams of playing like Ovechkin" - Bobby Clarke
"He plays like a Canadian!" - Don Cherry
"Ovechkin does not play like a Russian. He plays like an NHL player." - Vladislav Tretiak
Three quotes from three men who have each logged more than forty years in the game of hockey, all saying the same thing: Alex Ovechkin doesn't play the game like any Russian they've ever seen. And while Clarke's and Cherry's quips were clearly intended to convey a level of admiration and respect, Tretiak's observation came across as anything but complimentary; Tretiak's comment was a warning.
Over the past week, Alex Ovechkin has been getting crushed by the media for his on- and off-ice performances at the Olympics. Some of the criticism has been fair. Some of it... not so much. But if the two-time reigning Hart Trophy winner has been guilty of anything while on the ice, it's been of playing a style of hockey that his teammates were unable or unwilling to play. Throughout the tournament, the Russians played a finesse game full of wishful cross-ice passes and dangling one-on-one moves, seemingly devoid of forechecking or any initiating of contact - a style that is about as likely to elicit the best in Ovechkin as "Zamfir Plays OK Computer" would showcase the brilliance of Radiohead's triple platinum record. (Interestingly, it didn't seem to bring out the best in Ovechkin's most wishful, dangliest teammate either, but that's neither here nor there.)
The point is exactly as Tretiak put it: Ovechkin does not play like a Russian. And when a team's best player doesn't play like the rest of his team (and is the only one capable of providing any sort of energy or passion), it's likely a recipe for failure, and it's precisely what we saw in Vancouver: square peg, round hole, no medal.
But do you know where Alex Ovechkin does fit, and rather perfectly at that? In the NHL. In Washington. Want to hit someone? Dump the puck in and hunt down the defenseman unlucky enough to retrieve it. Want to launch missiles from the power-play point rather than being thrown in front of the net to try to collect garbage that never arrives? Gabby's got you covered. Want to play to the left of a pivot with eyes in the back of his head with whom you actually have chemistry? There's a pretty good one in D.C.
AO's two-week adventure to Vancouver ended prematurely, and that's something that's going to be hard to get over. But, despite being among fellow countrymen, he didn't really fit in there at all. Now he's on his way back to his second home to reunite with Americans, Canadians and a few Europeans, which is exactly where he belongs. Because he plays their game and they play his. And it works.
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I still think that the only reason why Ovechkin was playing garbage man in front of the net on the PP is that he’s the only guy who was big and strong enough and willing to pay the price.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
The Russians definitely could have used a Knuble or two.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Feb 26, 2010 10:36 AM EST up reply actions
The Russians could have used a lot of things.
It felt weird rooting for them.
Looking forward to some Caps hockey!
www.patriotracing.us
"Making a difference through motor sports."
by Evel Knuble on Feb 26, 2010 10:39 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed. He may also be one of the few on the Russian team who actually knows how to do it. This is a real compliment to BB’s coaching and bodes well the Caps future performance in the playoffs.
by J.B on Feb 26, 2010 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I wouldn’t use Ovechkin there if I didn’t flat have to – he’s much better on the half-wall or the point.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Agreed, the problem is that is also where Kovalchuk, Semin, Malkin, Datsyuk, Afinogenov, etc…are all better too.
Ovie’s more willing to absorb the contact in front of the net that’s needed to make something happen. Not what he’s best suited for of course, but the Russian’s didn’t have anybody with a posterior that has a nose for the net like Grandpa Slippers. Or a baker liker like Brooksie.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Feb 26, 2010 11:53 AM EST up reply actions
Dare I say that Ovechkin’s “haunches” may be underrated?
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 26, 2010 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
Come to think of it…did the Russians have one guy (besides Ovie) as good as driving the net/creating net presence as Eric Fehr? Kozlov certainly has the size to be that guy, but he has never been.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Feb 26, 2010 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
Kozlov scored at least one goal in the tournament by setting up in the crease and being tough to move.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Malkin scored a PP goal by camping in front as well. They have the big bodies for it, but nobody accustomed to that role.
Against Latvia though right? As I said, Kozlov can be that guy when he wants to be. But his consistency being that guy is a huge problem and it pales in comparison to someone like Knuble. Just look at the difference between Knuble and Kozlov’s play when on lines with Ovie for the Caps.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Feb 26, 2010 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
If Kozlov had Knuble’s drive and grittines.. if Knuble had Kozlov’s hands and puck skills..
We need a Koznuble.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Would it be less derogatory if we called them “Puck Honeys” ?
by DrinkingPartner on Feb 26, 2010 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think he played as badly as some folks are making it seem either, but his occasional lapses when backchecking the other night were unacceptable for someone who needs to lead by example.
Similarly, Kovalchuk played a lot worse than he has been called out for. He was forcing east-west passes to Afinogenov through double coverage in the neutral zone the whole game. I seem to remember him not doing a hell of a lot in the 08 World Championships too until he scored the tourney-winner.
Slacker.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
And you wanted to trade for him. For shame.
"I guarantee that we'll beat the Canadians." Ryan Kesler, 8/7/09
by Bald Pollack on Feb 26, 2010 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
Shame shame shaaaaaaaaaaammmmmeeeee shame on you
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 26, 2010 11:10 AM EST up reply actions
He didn’t do jack in the last Olympics except for one game in which he had a hattrick
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Feb 26, 2010 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
Kovy, that is.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Feb 26, 2010 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
Yep. Four points in four games, would be considered good production in the NHL. And there was The Hit.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Four points in four games wouldn’t be up to Ovie’s standards in the NHL. He also doesn’t face Latvia and Belarus in the NHL.
This should be rec’d only for the Zamfir reference. Master of the Pan Flute!!
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 26, 2010 10:36 AM EST reply actions
Always preferred slide whistle, myself.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Toodly dooooo
Driver and head Muckety-Muck of The Pavel Kubina Bandwagon
XBox Live: Oinkvechkin
LORD PALMERSTON!!
Ron and Fez 11 to 3
by YvonLabresMoustache on Feb 26, 2010 11:05 AM EST up reply actions
Nah
Not gonna hit this softball… too easy.
Great. Now I have to change my name to "Jaromir meet Alex".
by Chris meet Alex on Feb 26, 2010 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
i thought you preferred the skin flute Jordan… .ZINNNGGGGG!
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
Want to launch missiles from the power-play point rather than being thrown in front of the net to try to collect garbage that never arrives?
The Russian power play was one of the more frustrating aspects of watching that team. Saying Ovechkin wasn’t used properly is a huge understatement. I would constantly find myself screaming at the television, “Bykov, you idiot, you’re doing it wrong!”
DC Landing Strip - Waxed and Ready to Go
Russians poor performance was due to bad coaching and management decisions. How could they have never thought of the shootout situation? When they were the home team, how did they not get Ovechkin out there against different lines other than the Richards checking line? Why did they restrict the players from interviews? Why did they not make a goalie change earlier? They seemed unprepared and it showed throughtout the tourney.
by D-Loc on Feb 26, 2010 10:46 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
I sat next to a guy named Sergei (who coincidentally was getting married to girl with the last name Fedorov) during the Canada/Russia game at a local Irish pub and he must have gone out to smoke 2 packs of cigarettes during the game. I don’t know Russian, but I would have guess 78% of words he said sounded like Russian expletives.
This.
www.patriotracing.us
"Making a difference through motor sports."
by Evel Knuble on Feb 26, 2010 10:58 AM EST up reply actions
It’s that damn Russian attitude that they all before and throughout the tournament. It was if they believed they could throw a Russian jersey on, and everyone would bow to them in awe of their skill. There was no heart and no chemistry for the Russians.
This sting of defeat that all the Caps players in the Olympics felt will be interesting. Last year they felt in after the Pens’ series and had to wait 4 months to seek vengeance. Now, a new season starts next week, and they can begin taking out their frustration on opponents quicker. In all types of fights, you take the guy that is attacking and pushing to be on top, not the guy who is already on top trying to prevent the others from catching him.
by JimCareyFanClub on Feb 26, 2010 11:04 AM EST up reply actions
Last year they felt in after the Pens’ series and had to wait 4 months to seek vengeance.
Not sure how they have exacted “vengeance” through some regular season wins. I’m pretty sure you can only do that by winning in the post-season. But what do I know?
Excellent point here. Doesn’t putting OV out there for all the shootout situations help earn them the seed them that gets Canada in the Quarters? The Russian debacle is two fold in that they both lost to Slovakia to get the weaker seed and were blown out by Canada with no hardware.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 26, 2010 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
Russia would have been the third seed regardless of whether or not they won the shootout against Slovakia. The only way they would have been higher was if they beat Slovakia in regulation and won the tiebreaker against either the US or Sweden.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 26, 2010 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
I often thought that one of the big differences between Ovechkin and Crosby is that Alex looks like he is having fun while Crosby seems to be carrying the “world” on his shoulders. In this tourney, Alex did not look like he was having fun, and I am guessing it is due to the frustration described here.
He takes a lot of pride in playing for his country, and I think he recognized that the style of play wasn’t going to fit in well with the upper echelon of competition early on. That frustration seemed to sap him of some of exuberance and seems to me to be a good reason why he was not the personality he normally is.
by CraigD on Feb 26, 2010 11:00 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
do you think some of the media silence was ordered/advised by Russian higher-ups and limited his freedom, creativity and personality?
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 26, 2010 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
Very likely.
Ovechkin does not tend to blow off the media under more normal circumstances.
I need a snappy signature...
by IRockTheRed on Feb 26, 2010 12:01 PM EST up reply actions
I think it was a combination of suppression from above and his own attempt to avoid distractions.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
when there is only one player on the other team who can beat you, you focus on that one player and say “good luck” to the rest of the guys. when you’ve got the best players in the world on top of that, it doesnt take a genius to figure out why ov struggled against the canadians. he probably would have struggled against the us team too.
its easy to blame ov for the russian struggles. he’s the best player on the team and gets the glory and the blame. i dont think ov would trade that for being a role player free from scrutiny.
should it get to a gold medal game, i think the us will fare better than the russians (although it would be hard to fare worse). i wonder which canadian team will show up. the one focused and determined not to flunk out against the russians, or a team squeezing their sticks so as not to lose to the dreaded us team on home ice….
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
i think a calm, confident Canada. Marty is out of goal and his goaltending empowered USA to believe that they could. Plus surviving Russia empowers them as well. Want no part of the Canadians, but we will get all we can handle most likely.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 26, 2010 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
Are you saying that only Ovechkin could beat them? I think Malkin, Datsyuk, Kovalchuk, et al would disagree. This was not Ovechkin vs the world here.
Ovechkin did not play his best during the Olympics, and hopefully for him and the Caps, he puts it behind him. (And I’m sure he will.)
well malkin and kovi are offensive factors but clearly ov is the main threat and stopping him was key.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Feb 26, 2010 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
when there is only one player on the other team who can beat you, you focus on that one player and say "good luck" to the rest of the guys.
The eternal gasbag, Pierre Maguire was pontificating how the Canadians “intimidated” Ovechkin. Sorry Pierre, he wasn’t intimidated, he was frustrated. Frustrated that since the Canadians were focusing on nullifying his play, none of his superstar teammates were willing to pick up their play and help him out. That’s why I’m not worried about a carryover once the season starts. The one thing the Caps have shown is that they can beat anyone even if Ovi isn’t on the ice or is being taken off his game.
by b.orr4 on Feb 26, 2010 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Ovechkin’s never been intimidated in his life. Ask the Habs what hitting him does.
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Welcome back Alex,—- after all,…
Home is where the Hart is.
"I tried to capture the spirit of the thing"
by tuvanhillbilly on Feb 26, 2010 11:04 AM EST reply actions 13 recs
this post needs to be circulated to all corners of the interwebs and beyond. it hits everything that is and will be said about Ovie over the last two weeks. It doesn’t come off as defensive, nor is it offensive. it is just truth.
well done sir.
by nuftjedi on Feb 26, 2010 11:11 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
+1, great read – especially while Airbag is playing in the background.
Bykov seemed completely lost behind the bench – there was no sense of understanding, from my seat, with respect to how to utilize his weapons – really, the only thing he could have done to convince me more that he was the least effective coach in the Olympics this year would be to put Fedorov in goalie pads.
Would love to see this Caps team get a few quick wins under their belt again, and help everyone forget about gold and start focusing on silver.
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I disagree. It seems like they’ve fully acknowledged Ovechkin to be the singular Russian talent and the best player in the world.
“We have Ovechkin, but not much beyond that”.
Malkin – by the utter absence of his name whenever the conversation turns to what the Russians have going for them – is in my mind getting crushed.
And Russia was just unlucky that they got bad Semin instead of good Semin. It’s a coin flip either way.
Woosh.
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 26, 2010 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
but now,
everything’s in its right place (even though yesterday Ovie woke up sucking a lem-onnnnn…)
by redlineblue on Feb 26, 2010 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
When the Russian Mob gets to him, bulletproof…he’ll wish he was.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 26, 2010 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
JP, thank you for putting this so eloquently. Welcome home indeed, Alex Ovechkin.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Hope you aren't planning on taking a picture of him?
Cameras beware…
god (next) wednesday can’t come quick enough.
You’re looking forward to Dogfish releasing their Spring Ale too?
"I guarantee that we'll beat the Canadians." Ryan Kesler, 8/7/09
by Bald Pollack on Feb 26, 2010 11:53 AM EST up reply actions
You’re looking forward to Dogfish releasing their Spring Ale too?
I am now!
Oh, and NHL hockey.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Feb 26, 2010 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
Well, ‘they’ wanted to showcase the KHL and in that they quite succeeded. Anyone care to join me in a welcome-home “M-V-P!” next Thursday?
I think a few Japer’s Rink branded signs would go a long way, here.
by DrinkingPartner on Feb 26, 2010 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
I’d say welcome home Olympians is in order… not just Ovechkin. :)
We don’t want the other guys feeling left out, do we?
I need a snappy signature...
by IRockTheRed on Feb 26, 2010 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
five rings…five players… the arithmetic works
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Feb 26, 2010 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
I’m kinda hoping that Ovi’s smoke of Jagr makes it to the jumbotron somehow.
No Alex, no ratings. Know Alex, know ratings.
Copyright issues. Maybe by then, they’ll release video?
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Not qualified as a hockey newbie, but it would be interesting to do a +/- on Caps performances in the Olympics to summarize what has transpired. Seemed like Mean Lars and Flash earned some much needed respect in international eyes. Does anyone else think Flash’s performances away from the Caps helped his trade value as we head into the deadline?
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
Does anyone else think Flash’s performances away from the Caps helped his trade value as we head into the deadline?
They may have. A GM who was wondering “could I count on this guy to show up in a big game?” and feeling not so optimistic given Flash’s NHL playoff history might be swayed.
by David M. Getz on Feb 26, 2010 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
if the right deal came about I’d trade Flash, given our overwhelming offense and our need for more structure and PK. Hopefully, his Olympic work helps GMGM have more options.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 26, 2010 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
So if you were GMGM and another GM offered a player you really wanted, and said in return he wanted either Flash or Fehr, which one would you give him?
Boy, that’d be an interesting question, wouldn’t it?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Feb 27, 2010 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
Are they really going to be swayed in a good way? I didn’t think Flash was very good at all in the Olympics.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Feb 26, 2010 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
He scored a goal against Latvia!
Killer_Carlson and Steckel Me Elmo are like brothers to me. And when I say brothers I don't mean like actual brothers. I mean it like how black people use it, which is more meaningful, I think.
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 26, 2010 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
He says he saw during the warmups “The Russians don’t have any players!” 5 good forwards, 2 good Ds and says that they had no system. GMGM basically agrees with thrust of JP’s fine work.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 26, 2010 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
Thinks US gold more important for talent development than for revenue for the NHL. “That John Elway would have been a fine left winger!”
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 26, 2010 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
I’m a dang fool, thought this was in the other thread.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
by souldrummer on Feb 26, 2010 12:39 PM EST up reply actions
Here's to...
…the return of the Alexes, Nick, Flash and Varly.
…To winning 16 more regular season games.
…To winning 16 post-season games.
Let’s Go Caps!
Let's go Caps!
BTW
…New Avatar… the Caps logo, although awesome, was kinda unoriginal…
Now Ovechkin scoring against Philly is an avatar…. :)
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Feb 26, 2010 12:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe Ovi will come back to the Caps, see just how amazing his NHL team is and explode all over again. It says a lot about the Caps and Boudreau when you see just how badly Russia failed.
I’m really looking forward to the Olympics getting over…and not just because it would sicken me to see Canada win gold.
Here's to all us girls who love hockey...and the men who play it.
by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Feb 26, 2010 2:52 PM EST reply actions
I know there's no way Ovie willingly misses Sochi...
but is he maybe feeling a tiny bit queasy about being re-united with these players? I’m assuming Bykov gets canned like tuna after these Games. Or will the super-sized ice make that huge of a difference?
No ice size can make up for not knowing your players’ strengths or not having plans for a SO.
Even atheists believe in Matt Wieters
by wickedwitch on Feb 26, 2010 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
So now our friends at NHL.com have posted an article that wonders “For Ovi, will taste of defeat linger or inspire?”. They wonder what kind of impact the Olympic defeat will have on him, along with the effect on Semin (and on Nabokov at goal.) And the author admitted that he had never thought of what effect a devastating defeat in the Olympics would have on players — only the usual concern of getting players injured.
Let’s hope the Ovi and company get inspired to do well.
(No, we can’t eliminate the Caps and Sharks, not to mention any team with the Finns, merely because of a bad Olympic game.)
Next question, will the Sharks be in the market for a new goal tender in the near future?
Rocking the Red since 1975
Apparently, Ovi won’t be at practice on Sunday. He’ll be staying around to carry the Olympic flag for the closing ceremonies.
Rocking the Red since 1975
That’s a pretty significant honor, isn’t it? (Probably because of his Sochi ambassador status?) Cool.
"Camaraderie, that's what the Washington Capitals are all about."
by CapitalCentre on Feb 27, 2010 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
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82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 121 |
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