1. The Russian Ice Hockey Federation added three familiar names to its World Championships roster yesterday (that’s for a tournament which is currently being held in Russia, by the way)…
.@ovi8, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Orlov have all been called up to the national team: https://t.co/UojJqvT9Ra pic.twitter.com/MS63zdMGJg
— Russia Hockey (@russiahockey_en) May 11, 2016
… and the predictable reactions were, well, predictable:
This will be Ovechkin’s 12th world championship. Maybe take a year off and access why you can’t get out of round 2. https://t.co/VUFjlP9G3i
— Patrick O’Sullivan (@realPOSULLIVAN) May 11, 2016
You won’t see Oshie and Carlson run over there for a glorified vacation. It’s a leadership thing doesn’t look good. https://t.co/smlR6t5atp
— Patrick O’Sullivan (@realPOSULLIVAN) May 11, 2016
So on the hierarchy of “running away,” going to play more meaningful hockey on a “glorified vacation” ranks below actual vacation, morally. Got it.
Criticisms (which ignore certain political realities) aside, reasonable minds (or, at least, reasonable opinions) were generally more prevalent:
Totally unfair to rip Ovechkin and teammates for heading to worlds. To be applauded.
— Damien Cox (@DamoSpin) May 11, 2016
ovechkin +28 CF at 5v5 (~57%), and 2-5-7 in six games. this is the kind of take you can’t leave around children. https://t.co/fT4vGyhUZ8
— yung intelligence (@twolinepass) May 11, 2016
I don’t think any person in the world loves hockey as much as Alex Ovechkin. So, yeah… Construe that as a bad thing if you want.
— young %dopar% (@MannyElk) May 11, 2016
Oh, and it’s not like he wasn’t facing the music before he readied to split town:
Ovechkin going to Worlds. Would “rather stay here and play Game 7. Stay with you guys right now, finish up the meeting, get lunch, go home.”
— Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) May 12, 2016
***
2. And speaking of facing the music, today was breakdown day out at Kettler. We’ll have full coverage in tomorrow’s Clips, but here’s an amuse-bouche :
Alex Ovechkin always brings it on breakdown day. Add the Marilyn Monroe t shirt to his greatest hits pic.twitter.com/O15KVQKfj6
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) May 12, 2016
Ovechkin was asked if the Penguins‘ speed made them tough to play against. “Speed? No, I think it was their goalie.”
— Zac Boyer (@ZacBoyer) May 12, 2016
Justin Williams on season: “Listen, it was a failure.”
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) May 12, 2016
Justin Williams on being out of the playoffs: “The only thing I’ve processed is that it sucks.”
— Katie Brown (@katiebhockey) May 12, 2016
#Caps Brooks Orpik: “You don’t feel any better losing in the finals than you do losing in the second round. You either win or you lose.”
— Mark Giannotto (@mgiannotto) May 12, 2016
Jay Beagle: “This is by far the toughest [playoff loss.] … I’ve got no answers.”
— Chris Gordon (@Chris_Gordon) May 12, 2016
Matt Niskanen, eyes red: “This is the most hurt I’ve been in my career. … This sucks. I can’t believe we’re talking about this right now.
— Chris Gordon (@Chris_Gordon) May 12, 2016
Nicklas Backstrom: “It’s getting old. Same meetings every year.”
— Katie Brown (@katiebhockey) May 12, 2016
John Carlson: “You lose out of the playoffs, it’s a failure. There’s no consolation prizes here.”
— Anthony Gulizia (@AnthonyGulizia) May 12, 2016
Johansson: “This is probably the toughest one … It sucks.”
— Eric Hobeck (@eric_hobeck) May 12, 2016
Braden Holtby on all the individual success and superb regular season: “It really doesn’t mean much to us right now.” #Caps
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) May 12, 2016
Kuznetsov on his 77 point regular season: “All these points count for zero at the end of the year.”
— Chris Gordon (@Chris_Gordon) May 12, 2016
Orpik says the biggest thing #Caps should take from playoff exit is that they lacked a “killer instinct.”
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) May 12, 2016
Counterpoint: Justin Williams says there’s no such thing as “peaking too soon. … You always want to be at your best.”
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) May 12, 2016
John Carlson has a broken foot/ankle that cost him significant time during the season, was close to 100 percent by playoffs.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) May 12, 2016
Marcus Johansson said he’s been dealing with some injuries that he refused to reveal. Bad enough that he can’t play for Sweden at Worlds.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) May 12, 2016
#Caps D Brooks Orpik says he had a “crack in my femur.” That’s what kept him out a good chunk of the season.
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) May 12, 2016
Ovechkin dealt with a lower back injury during the season. That’s why he missed the All Star Game.
— Tommy Chalk (@Tommy_Chalk) May 12, 2016
During season Alzner has a Broken thumb, strained oblique and hip flexor injury. Then the groin tear. Ironman streak ongoing.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) May 12, 2016
Beagle on Alzner not being able to finish Game 6 because of his groin injury: “I’ll never forget the look on his face after that game.”
— Chris Gordon (@Chris_Gordon) May 12, 2016
Mike Richards, on absorbing #Capitals loss to #Penguins: “I’m going to sit in my boat, fish a little and probably think about it then.
— Anthony Gulizia (@AnthonyGulizia) May 12, 2016
Justin Williams: “We’re one of the best teams in the league. Just not THE best this year.” #Caps
— Brian McNally (@bmcnally14) May 12, 2016
Justin Williams: “To all the naysayers saying we can’t get it done, bring it on.”
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 12, 2016
Nicklas Backstrom to fans: ‘Hopefully, they have faith in us. We’re gonna do it. We’re gonna do it one day. I promise them.’ #CapitalsTalk
— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyCSN) May 12, 2016
***
3. Before they talked to the media, several Caps took to social media to speak directly to the fans:
Tough going home early but still proud of the fellas! Thanks for all your support #Caps fans. Stick with us. Special group here! #CapsBoiis
— TJ Oshie (@TJOshie77) May 11, 2016
It’s been an amazing ride this year DC… Sucks that it had to end like this. Thanks for all the support, you guys are the best.
— Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) May 11, 2016
The sting, hurt and extreme disappointment that we feel now will make r success nxt year all the more sweeter. #Love my mates. Thx caps fans
— Justin Williams (@JustinWilliams) May 11, 2016
Love this team, love these guys, love this city.Thank you for making this year one to remember. Better things ahead for this group #capscaps
— Michael Latta (@Latta17) May 11, 2016
Great Memories, fun, teammates and fans, all bundled up into one awesome ride. Thank you all. https://t.co/W10gqfYHA1
— Nate Schmidt (@nateschmidt29) May 11, 2016