Capitals Guest Writer: The New Ovechkin vs. Ovechkin the Young Superstar By: Carl Legg

Watch out for the new Grabbo too

They are a good team, but no longer being in a weak division, now its more about getting into the playoffs.

They are a good team, but no longer being in a weak division, now its more about getting into the playoffs.
- Meeqsb

They have the young legs for the season though. If Holtby catches fire, then they are only one trade away from being a top 5 team in the conference.

Very good points. I always thought of Ovi as more of a scorer, and thought that his game was slipping a bit, but after the season he had last year I think that he might just be getting started. He is absolutely becoming a more complete player and that's the kind of guy that a team can be built around.

I would take Ovi as someone to build a team around over anyone, Crosby included. Crosby has too many health questions now days. I expect Alex the great to have a HUGE year as he wants to bring his absolute best into the Olympics. Anyone building a fantasy team would be stupid not to take him this year. That first line for Russia might be the most ridiculous thing we will ever see with Malkin and Ovechkin and ??? (Datsyuk?). Should be entertaining in DC this year.

Capitals Guest Writer: The New Ovechkin vs. Ovechkin the Young Superstar By: Carl Legg
- Eklund

was he better as the young scorer or has he evolved and actually improved into a complete player that we will see next season.

Until we see this transformation into a complete player you are talking about the jury is still out. Last season i still saw a player who's shifts were too long, a player who stayed out too long on the powerplay, a player who tried to force the play in too many instances, a player who still cherrypicks out in the neutral zone and a player who was in no hurry to get involved on the backcheck. Granted I also saw a player who played his position better and who looked for passes more often but to suggest Ovechkin is a complete player is incorrect.

LW allstar VS. RW allstar!

Here is what I think happened to Ovechkin...

Back in 2010 a chirpractor was caught administering steroids to some of the MLB's Washington Nationals players. This same chiropractor had some of the Capitals as his clients, including Ovechkin.

AO's 2009-10 Stats
GP G A Pts PIM
72 50 59 109 89

AO's 2010-11 Stats
GP G A Pts PIM
79 32 53 85 41

He lost 20% of his point production from 2010 to 2011. Then lost another 20% from 2011 to 2012.

I think he was juiced.


Article: http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...ckey/nhl/steroids-bust-0/

Edit: look at him PIM decrease too from 2010 onwards...he didn't have that same "hit the opponenet like a train" strength. He started to get a bit outmuscled at times since 2010. He's the NHL's ARod/Barry Bonds.

Here is what I think happened to Ovechkin...

Back in 2010 a chirpractor was caught administering steroids to some of the MLB's Washington Nationals players. This same chiropractor had some of the Capitals as his clients, including Ovechkin.

AO's 2009-10 Stats
GP G A Pts PIM
72 50 59 109 89

AO's 2010-11 Stats
GP G A Pts PIM
79 32 53 85 41

He lost 20% of his point production from 2010 to 2011. Then lost another 20% from 2011 to 2012.

I think he was juiced.

Article: http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...ckey/nhl/steroids-bust-0/

Edit: look at him PIM decrease too from 2010 onwards...he didn't have that same "hit the opponenet like a train" strength. He started to get a bit outmuscled at times since 2010. He's the NHL's ARod/Barry Bonds.
- kcNYI

And Czar Vlad wouldn't allow his 2012-2013 supply of all new Russian sports medicines super strength "sport drink" in the diplomatic pouch because Alex not come home to the all new Russian Super League and play the oligarch chess game on ice so he didn't have any until March when he got his supply through all new superstar girlfriend and now Alex can skate hit like big powerful Russian again, score pretty goals like a Russian superstar again. But superstar now have nads like peanuts and girlfriend leave . Sad ending for Russian Fairy Tale.

They have the young legs for the season though. If Holtby catches fire, then they are only one trade away from being a top 5 team in the conference.
- PrustandGlory

I am interested in your train of thought, what kind of trade do you think Capitals would need to be top 5 in the east? Maybe a top tier goalie in the NHL? I was already ruling in the following teams as top five:

1. Boston
2. Penguins
3. Red Wings
4. Ottawa
5. Toronto

Second tier:

Montreal
Rangers
New Jersey
Philly
Caps

They have the young legs for the season though. If Holtby catches fire, then they are only one trade away from being a top 5 team in the conference.
- PrustandGlory

I am interested in your train of thought, what kind of trade do you think Capitals would need to be top 5 in the east? Maybe a top tier goalie in the NHL? I was already ruling in the following teams as top five:

1. Boston
2. Penguins
3. Red Wings
4. Ottawa
5. Toronto

Second tier:

Montreal
Rangers
New Jersey
Philly
Caps

Until we see this transformation into a complete player you are talking about the jury is still out. Last season i still saw a player who's shifts were too long, a player who stayed out too long on the powerplay, a player who tried to force the play in too many instances, a player who still cherrypicks out in the neutral zone and a player who was in no hurry to get involved on the backcheck. Granted I also saw a player who played his position better and who looked for passes more often but to suggest Ovechkin is a complete player is incorrect.
- paulr

And, how he won the Hart is so beyond ....

He also is fueled by the competition with Crosby to be recognized as the best player in the league...with Crosby getting so much attention for being a two way player, Ovechkin can't expect to be the best in hockey unless he matches him on the entire ice surface...

I am interested in your train of thought, what kind of trade do you think Capitals would need to be top 5 in the east? Maybe a top tier goalie in the NHL? I was already ruling in the following teams as top five:

1. Boston
2. Penguins
3. Red Wings
4. Ottawa
5. Toronto

Second tier:

Montreal
Rangers
New Jersey
Philly
Caps
- PtotheY

For Washington to be a top 5 team, they need Grabbo or Laich to step up. Plus when Tom Wilson and even kuznetsov (he can come after his russian season ends in March) make the roster, they will have excess forwards. I think a trade of Laich and Ward will be able to fetch a good return for a shutdown defender such as Hainsey.

Washington's Defense needs to replace one of their inexperienced rookies on d to a solid and trustworthy defensemen for them to take the next step. Do that and I have no problem saying that they are better than Toronto and the all the Tier 2 teams that you listed.

And, how he won the Hart is so beyond ....
- bixll

Penguins without Crosby = Still a top 4 team

Caps without Ovechkin = Barely a bubble team

Penguins without Crosby = Still a top 4 team

Caps without Ovechkin = Barely a bubble team
- PrustandGlory

Caps with OV= Barely a bubble team.

Penguins without Crosby = Still a top 4 team

Caps without Ovechkin = Barely a bubble team
- PrustandGlory

I understand it, I just don't get it..

Caps with OV= Barely a bubble team.
- tpd11

Ovechkin did not produce right away in the new system. Caps record: 1-5-1

Ovechkin producing 27 goals in the last 32 games. Caps record: 22-10

at least Ovechkin doesn't dive or cry like sid the kid....

Ovechkin did not produce right away in the new system. Caps record: 1-5-1

Ovechkin producing 27 goals in the last 32 games. Caps record: 22-10
- PrustandGlory

New system or new doctor?

The guy is solid, he's a team player and a down to earth hockey player. But with the Caps the way they are setting up, he's not gonna to win a cup even if he has another season like '07-08, which i don't think he will ever have again. He can't do it all by himself. I'd put him on my team, but he's only going to be a star for a few more years, maybe.

still wont draft him in my hockey pool. He played well for 20+ games..congrats must be in order.

Until he plays a complete season again, and is constistent and reliable at an elite level, he doesnt scratch my top 10 in the league

still wont draft him in my hockey pool. He played well for 20+ games..congrats must be in order.

Until he plays a complete season again, and is constistent and reliable at an elite level, he doesnt scratch my top 10 in the league
- DDM-Coga

I partially agree with this. He has his risks but no one has higher rewards.

For no one has consistently put up his level of points besides crosby and stamkos. He put up 65 points in his "worst season". Fantasy wise, I want him and his points and his power play production on my team. Fantasy is about one thing and one thing only. Production. Ovechkin has it.

That said, he will look different next season. He will have to tweek his current style for a full season. I'm not gonna overthink it. He's shown time and time again that he has the skills.

I am interested in your train of thought, what kind of trade do you think Capitals would need to be top 5 in the east? Maybe a top tier goalie in the NHL? I was already ruling in the following teams as top five:

1. Boston
2. Penguins
3. Red Wings
4. Ottawa
5. Toronto

Second tier:

Montreal
Rangers
New Jersey
Philly
Caps
- PtotheY

I think Holtby will show he is better than alot of goalies in this league. They need a top 4 dman and they are a pretty strong team.