Ovechkin Returns, but will he stay?
The captain has returned to DC. But for how long?
Given comments made yesterday, namely his concern in finding out what exactly "the deal" is, fans can't be pleased with the uneasy return of Alex Ovechkin.
Pointing out how it's not a hard thought for him to entertain the concept of returning home to play in front of his friends and family, as he has for the past few months, it would seem that Ovechkin, like many Russians (and other players, for that matter), are still quite concerned about how they will be affected by this new CBA.
No matter what the case, this simply isn't a good first step in terms of a return to action for both Ovechkin or the Caps.
Turmoil and discontent are two elements from the lockout which will likely take the longest to dissipate, and there is no hiding that there is plenty of peace still to be made.
But how does this effect the Caps?
First off, you have to worry about Ovechkin's play. Having slipped off the pedestal as the NHL's top player in recent years and with his production continually declining, his diminished on-ice dominance has hurt the team. Given how much they rely on him, it could prove to be a very dangerous situation if Ovechkin cannot bring a positive attitude to the ice.
Then there is the trickle down effect. If he cannot return to form, are the Captials strong enough to push on without a consistently dominant Ovechkin leading the way?
A healthy Nicklas Backstrom will be a good start. So too is the addition of Mike Riberio, who will finally provide Backstrom with some relief down the middle, but with this team having been so centered around Ovechkin for the last half-decade, it's evident that Adam Oates is going to have his work cut out for him in balancing out this lineup.
The bottom line is that, while Ovechkin may make a fuss now, the key is to settle him down and get him focused on being a Capital again.
The entire situation involving the KHL and Russian players is a tense one for the NHL as a whole, but as far as the Caps are concerned, it's paramount they resolve their issues with their captain immediately.
What are your thoughts? Is it more certain, now more than ever, that Ovechkin won't finish his contract in DC?
Then there is the optimist in me that still sees hope for the future. With more talent coming up the pipeline in the form of Evgeny Kuznetsov and Filip Forsberg, I still see plenty of potential for success in the future. To imagine the two elite picks playing alongside fellow countrymen, Ovechkin and Backstrom, there is no doubt the Caps can become better yet.
But that is a long way off, not including the contentious situation regarding Kuznetsov and if he will ever come over. In the meantime, it's about setting your house straight, a job that is appearing to be more and more difficult for Adam Oates and George McPhee.
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