What happened to Ovechkin?

[brwi]

Ovie only had 16+ minutes tonight. Semin 14+. Hunter played his big dogs 25+ with London, but maybe his approach will be different in the NHL with greater depth.

Obviously too soon to tell based on 1 game, but symbolically its odd that Lumpy was criticized in some quarters for only playing Ovie 18+ and Hunter came in below that in his very visible first game.

Semin's ice time was definitely limited and there doesn't appear to be much doubt that Hunter isn't going to change the direction BB was heading in already. Maybe it was time for a new voice/figure behind the bench, but the days of high octane offense from the Caps is over and the philosophy is you cannot win the SC without a strong effort in all areas of the ice. That probably means that Cowardly Sucking Dog(tm) Semin gets dealt and those who play the way Hunter expects will get rewarded while others like a Hamrlik sit or have their ice time noticeably limited.

[Kraftster]

I think you are right that Hunter is going to head in the same direction. I guess it makes sense, when you think about it, that BB's accountability message and two-way play emphasis would be something easy for the team (OV and Semin) to tune out because in his first two seasons he created an image of just the opposite.

[npv708]

Ovi at least got 19 minutes of Ice Time last night, but has to get his shot numbers up. 1 shot is not acceptable for him if he wants to succeed. His shots per game are really down this year and last and getting the puck to the net is huge in setting up scoring chances, even if it doesn't get on the net. You never know if there will be a deflection or block, that ends up on your teammates stick with the goalie out of position. Ovie and the rest of the Caps for that matter just aren't doing it enough.

[Malkamaniac]

I understand that they want to be more defensive minded, but limiting Ovi or neutering him on taking shots has all but crushed his confidence it seems.

[relantel]

i wish this thread would have started Friday moring after we beat the Caps

Turns out it's still relevant now...

[littlemoonboot]

I was watching some highlights of Pens/Caps playoffs 09 this evening, and it's stunning to me how much Ovie has regressed. I'd forgotten just how explosive of a skater and terrifying with the puck he was. You watch him from 2-3 years ago and it's like night and day compared to now. It's not even just someone reigned in by a more conservative playing system, just almost seems like a different player altogether and none of that old enthusiasm.



Dey preten to care but I know dey don care.

[columbia]

[PensFanInDC]

OV is going to murder his ex wife and her lover?

[littlemoonboot]

[Wrangler98]

His doctor had steroids, his trainer had them, his production dropped off after the 2008 Olympics, he's the worst he's ever been one year before the 2012 Olympics.


HMMMMMM

[DudeMan2766]

His doctor had steroids, his trainer had them, his production dropped off after the 2008 Olympics, he's the worst he's ever been one year before the 2012 Olympics.


HMMMMMM

He's playing in the Summer Games?

[columbia]

Field hockey.

[Wrangler98]

det de de



read an article that said that and just reposted it. i blame the writer

[Physical_Graffiti]

I blame Matt Cooke

[littlemoonboot]

I'll be nice and give Ovie the benefit of the doubt -- he obviously doesn't appear to be using them these days

[penmyst]

Sometimes the answer really is the simplest one. Perhaps the roids were the difference.

I agree that he no longer looks dangerous out there. Nothing like he looked a few years back. And that can't be all "system".

[Mr. Colby]

I recommend he gets back on them

[marek]

his protruding forehead seems to have receded somewhat since the Olympics

[Malkamaniac]

lol did anyone see John Steigerwald's article on this?

[shafnutz05]

lol did anyone see John Steigerwald's article on this?

No, I was too busy watching the game.

[Pavel Bure]

lol did anyone see John Steigerwald's article on this?

Was he complaining like an old man?

[bhaw]

AO had 22 min tonight. 4 shots, 4 hits, -2.

Some additional info: the Caps gave up 5 goals, 3 were on the PP. So AO was on for both of the goals he could get a minus for.

[Streaks House]

Link to the disgruntled old man's article: http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/spo ... teigerwald" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[cma3585]

3A out of Carlson tonight, who I figured to blow up under Hunter since he did well under him before. Can't believe someone dropped him a week ago...I used my top waiver spot to snatch him up.

[doublem]

So I guess that moron Steigerwald (John) accused AO of doing steroids and Greg Wyshynski Dmitry Chesnokov just destroyed him on the air. good. also.

wyshynski Greg Wyshynski
Lambert and I both did a search for Ovechkin's links to that steroid doctor. We found none outside of Pens messages boards.