The Avs are playing like a team in midseason form. Varly credits his early success to his D-Core and forwards. They are clearing lanes and rebounds so there are hardly and 2nd and 3rd chances. Forwards are coming back picking up their man and ready for the break out pass. The D hardly ever carries it out of their own zone. Its pass and out. He has been stellar, but is doesnt have to stand on his head to win games. Its a good system at the momement
- DDM-Coga

They are just simply following the pattern of the past what 6 years?

lotto pick, great year, lotto pick, great year, first overall, now his year???

another great player who has been plagued with injuries.
- big_dion

how is he injury plagued? He had that one bad season getting banged up, no surgeries. Ankle and then groin in the same season.

He sure hasn't shown it the last two games.
- Itsjustarash

I think he would've had Lou if he went glove side as opposed to 5er.

But, the 2 3rd period goals you guys had, Ovi's line was on the ice. I felt those goals coming, especially Daniel's. Once the Nucks get setup in the offensive zone, it's hard to break that stream of passing.

Not even close. One of the worst captains in the league.
- Jeffmt

Weaksauce! Worst captain in the league, based on what, your hating on him? He may not be MVP at this point, and may not be at the end of the season, but worst captain in the league? I'd bet his teammates in the room strongly disagree with your attempt at trolling. But hey, haters are gonna hate.

Eklund: Is Ovechkin the NHL MVP So Far?
- Eklund

Have you seen the last 2 games the Caps have played? He's invisible.

Crosby leads the league in scoring.
Henrik Sedin is having his best start ever.
Niemi would win the Hart and Vezina if the season ended today.
It pains me to say it but Phil Kessel should be in the discussion.
Duchense is in the discussion as well.

MVP is most valuable to his team. The Caps don't have a great record. AO is leading individual categories and might win the Lester Pearson but he's not making his team better like the players listed above do.

MVP? No, that would be Stamkos.

Crosby is lazy always passing the damn puck never skating it up the ice like a man. (frank)ing lazy Crosby always floating around the net looking to pounce. (frank)ing lazy Crosby taking a year off. (frank)ing lazy Crosby drinking gatorade instead of water.

Have you seen the last 2 games the Caps have played? He's invisible.

Crosby leads the league in scoring.
Henrik Sedin is having his best start ever.
Niemi would win the Hart and Vezina if the season ended today.
It pains me to say it but Phil Kessel should be in the discussion.
Duchense is in the discussion as well.

MVP is most valuable to his team. The Caps don't have a great record. AO is leading individual categories and might win the Lester Pearson but he's not making his team better like the players listed above do.
- therealagent

I would argue that he makes his team worse...

They are just simply following the pattern of the past what 6 years?

lotto pick, great year, lotto pick, great year, first overall, now his year???
- Iggysbff

Those were the sacco years, Duchene himself even came out a couple days ago and ripped him. They said everyone in the locker room was miserable bc they all knew the system was flawed and wasnt built around for the players they had.

Sid! And I'm not a Sid fan, or an Penguins far, in fact, the exact opposite. But there is not denying Sid is having an all-world season so far. We'll see where it all goes, season is so young.

Weaksauce! Worst captain in the league, based on what, your hating on him? He may not be MVP at this point, and may not be at the end of the season, but worst captain in the league? I'd bet his teammates in the room strongly disagree with your attempt at trolling. But hey, haters are gonna hate.
- not_that_lanny

Trolling = anyone you disagree with?

JT who?
- Blackstrom2

Nielson has been good. Real good. And as long as were mentioning awards 10 games in, he has to be in the running as well.

The issues with the Capitals are deep-seeded and go farther than paying someone 9.5 mil of cap space to be a power forward. From our defensemen, outside Alzner, to our inability to make decent breakouts through the neutral zone. Ovi doesn't make or break this team, there are far too many issues outside of him playing hot or cold.

Nothing changes until McPhee goes or adopts a new philosophy.

Crosby is lazy always passing the damn puck never skating it up the ice like a man. (frank)ing lazy Crosby always floating around the net looking to pounce. (frank)ing lazy Crosby taking a year off. (frank)ing lazy Crosby drinking gatorade instead of water.
- blizzzard

Surely you jest , Crosby leaves it all on the ice !

Surely you jest , Crosby leaves it all on the ice !
- Bradlee3

I hate Crosby but he is a beast.

Eklund: Is Ovechkin the NHL MVP So Far?
- Eklund

he is on another level right now.


- big_dion

it doesn't look like anyone is buying it. No one took the Colton Orr for MVP either.

The issues with the Capitals are deep-seeded and go farther than paying someone 9.5 mil of cap space to be a power forward. From our defensemen, outside Alzner, to our inability to make decent breakouts through the neutral zone. Ovi doesn't make or break this team, there are far too many issues outside of him playing hot or cold.

Nothing changes until McPhee goes or adopts a new philosophy.
- Blackstrom2

He has given out some weird contracts over the years. Laich, Ward, and Brouwer are all too much, good players to have but with the total of the 3, probably around 1.5m overpaid. Especially for Ward and Brouwer, they are fringe 2nd liners on most teams.

He has given out some weird contracts over the years. Laich, Ward, and Brouwer are all too much. Especially for Ward and Brouwer, they are fringe 2nd liners on most teams.
- DDM-Coga

Brouwer rules. Laich and Ward do get payed too much, but Ward has like 7 points already this year.

They may be marginally overpayed, but those three aren't the issue. The big issue was bringing in Erat's for no reason.

Brouwer rules. Laich and Ward do get payed too much.
- Blackstrom2

remind me, was he traded for or signed?

Way too early to have the discussion. Is he headed toward the Richard Trophy, sure.

I vote Patrick Roy. He's doing so well that he should just get every trophy at the end of the season, not just the Adams.

Yes.

Brouwer rules. Laich and Ward do get payed too much, but Ward has like 7 points already this year.

They may be marginally overpayed, but those three aren't the issue. The big issue was bringing in Erat's for no reason.
- Blackstrom2

yeah Erat was a weird trade, 4.5m was a bad contract for him on nashville. not sure what they were expecting out of him. Thats a lot of cap space for a non factor in your top 6

remind me, was he traded for or signed?
- DDM-Coga

We traded a late 1st rounder for Brouwer, then re-signed him, and then gave him the raise after that.

Laich was through..Ottawa? For Bondra I think. Ward was UFA.

yeah Erat was a weird trade, 4.5m was a bad contract for him on nashville. not sure what they were expecting out of him. Thats a lot of cap space for a non factor in your top 6
- DDM-Coga

On top of that, we traded Perreault for nothing right before the season because of Erat's cap hit and to squeeze in Tom Wilson. MP..who is almost a PPG with the Ducks this year so far, and like 56% on FOs. Another one of McPhee's blunders, from his horrible asset managements.