Alexander Ovechkin will do whatever is necessary to win. The Capitals have been making big changes since he started playing in 2005, but he has always adapted to his team’s needs. The recent change in his stats has hockey fans forced to ask the question, was he better as the young scorer or has he evolved and actually improved into a complete player that we will see next season.

Let’s start with Young Ovechkin:

He came into the league when he was only 19 years old and he still had to learn the transition to North American hockey. The Capitals were a bottom-feeding team that Ovechkin felt forced to put on his back. He worked hard and put all his focus on his offensive talents. No team could stop him in their end zone and fans we’re going nuts over him. His offensive prowess eclipsed his growing pains that every rookie feels.

Two years later, he truly exploded and had the season of his life. With Bruce Boudreau as head coach, the Capitals became a run and gun team that played to Ovechkin’s strengths. He was involved with nearly every goal and had stats that shocked people to this day. This Caps team was great but it could not last. Teams learned how to play against them, players left, and the focus on their top lines harmed their overall depth.

The team was forced to adapt and change but Ovechkin took responsibility and led the way. His new coaches tested him and asked him to play different styles that he was not comfortable with. Besides being prideful and asking to be traded to a team where he could showcase his game, he fought through the rough patches and was rewarded with another MVP award last season.

Ovechkin’s stats are now returning to his usual torrid pace, he has had 27 goals in his last 32 games. After switching to right wing and focusing on a complete game, he has learned new ways to join the rush and get open in the offensive zone. He now tries harder to give his teammates more space and time with the puck. Then, he will get open by the wing side circle and score. He makes it look too easy. Watch one game of him and you will realize that his offensive talent remains unchanged.

In the end, I say this “new” Ovechkin will be the better one, but only because of his teammates. The Capitals are getting more depth, their players are recovering from injury, and Holtby is becoming a goalie that they can trust.

Overall, Ovechkin’s skill has not increased nor decreased but he has simply found new ways to work with his teammates and against the ever-changing opposition.

Watch out for Ovi and the Caps in 2013-2014 folks.

Join the Discussion: » 30 Comments » Post New Comment

» What's Next for the Caps? - by Ben Case

» The Grabovski Affect- Charlie Lehnertz