I'll shut down your naive blog with one sentence...

IF #99 CAN GET TRADED, ANYONE CAN.
- Leniwm1

This is so played out. The only reason the Oilers traded Gretzky was because they couldn't afford him, Full stop.

It's not like today where even the team that spends the least is still ~75% of the upper limit and that any team could theoretically afford any player; it just simply wasn't the case in 1988.

If you are a high volume shooter, you'll always have a lower % than most people, however, Ovechkin's 5v5 career shooting percetage is 10% he was 2 percentage points (or 20% ) lower this year.

Volume shooters are the most important players on hockey teams. Nothing a player can do can make up for ten shot attempts or more per game. year after year he destroys the competition in shot totals - which is he real skill. Whether or not he scores is beyond his control - no one in the NHL, other than Austom Matthews, is better at getting himself open for a shot.

I do not think Ovechkin has had his last 50 goal season. Let's not forget that had his shot not hit the shaft of the goalie stick, Ovechkin comes up huge in game seven and is likely still playing. Thus turning the entire course of the idea that he's somehow finished.
- james_tanner1

Or maybe the only guy that averaged more than 4 shots a game(at least 50gp). Eichel.

There were only 3 players in the league that had at least 7 shot attempts per game this year(again, with at least 50gp) and they are Brent Burns(7.41), Alex Ovechkin(7.09) and Jack Eichel(7.01). Though Burns did play like 5 minutes more per game than either Ovechkin or Eichel.

I hate that Eichel gets no credit for the excellent season he had because it was only 61 games. He was point per game until the last 2 weeks when the team just quit. And still ended up 11th in points per game even playing 1/3 of his season on a bad wheel.

And to your broader point. Ovechkin attempted 109 less shots this year, that's a bit alarming. His lowest amount since the last time he didn't hit 50(2012 lockout not included, because he was his old self that year, but it was only 48 games). When players get this side of 30, especially ones that don't exactly take fitness super serious start to decline. I'll still take him at 40 goals a year any day of the week though, and he is capable of getting 50 a couple more times too.

The problem is that all Ovie does is shoot and run players from behind. He will NEVER be the guy who sacrafices his body to win a battle for a puck. Because of the curve on his stick he also can't go to his backhand well and pass. He lost a step this year and because of it D men can be more aggressive and force him to try and beat them wide, taking away the shot. As a result he takes more shots from further out, reducing his shooting %.

That's why they should be open to trading him. He is really good at shooting the puck, but lacks the willingness or intelligence to play the game the right way. +$9.5M is too much cap hit for a one trick pony whose trick is starting to deteriorate.
- MacPatty

Best post so far.

Don't talk sense in here.

Players have no control over their shot percentages. *Shuffles papers*

I'm going to guess that Tanner was picked last, or skipped gym altogether, because it's for dumb jocks. He obviously has no experience with any kind of intensely competitive sport. The subtleties are lost on him because he's got no eye for analysis. Doesn't even understand how to interpret the stats he's in love with. There are others on this site that do use them properly and know what they're talking about, that ALSO know how to play hockey. Pick a job you're good at James.

Funnily enough, he writes so poorly that those dumb jocks probably got better grades. Good grades are for lame SHEEPLE anyway.

Or maybe the only guy that averaged more than 4 shots a game(at least 50gp). Eichel.

There were only 3 players in the league that had at least 7 shot attempts per game this year(again, with at least 50gp) and they are Brent Burns(7.41), Alex Ovechkin(7.09) and Jack Eichel(7.01). Though Burns did play like 5 minutes more per game than either Ovechkin or Eichel.

I hate that Eichel gets no credit for the excellent season he had because it was only 61 games. He was point per game until the last 2 weeks when the team just quit. And still ended up 11th in points per game even playing 1/3 of his season on a bad wheel.

And to your broader point. Ovechkin attempted 109 less shots this year, that's a bit alarming. His lowest amount since the last time he didn't hit 50(2012 lockout not included, because he was his old self that year, but it was only 48 games). When players get this side of 30, especially ones that don't exactly take fitness super serious start to decline. I'll still take him at 40 goals a year any day of the week though, and he is capable of getting 50 a couple more times too.
- Wetbandit1

Eichel was injured and so he didn't show up on the list I was looking at to get all the stats, and remember, all my stats were 5v5.

I don't think it's such a far fetched idea. They would still have Backstrom, Holtby, Kuznetsov, even could bring back Oshie if they choose. Still sound defensively. Not like the team is left in shambles.

I know the money he makes is a turn off, but if it were made known he's available, I think their would be plenty of teams who pay handsomely for the best goal scorer of his generation.

I don't think it's such a far fetched idea. They would still have Backstrom, Holtby, Kuznetsov, even could bring back Oshie if they choose. Still sound defensively. Not like the team is left in shambles.

I know the money he makes is a turn off, but if it were made known he's available, I think their would be plenty of teams who pay handsomely for the best goal scorer of his generation.
- Pelle31Forever

It's not a terrible idea. The issue is they are a cup contender next year with Ovi, and losing him would be a significant blow.

They are still pretty good without him though, and if they retained a couple $M, the package they get back could keep them in the conversation for quite a while (or not).

Ovi to Vegas would make sense...it would be a marquis name for them out of the gate. All they have is picks though , so how many first rounders would he be worth?