Is Ovechkin Really #1?
I’m not hating on Ovechkin. I’m just asking a simple question. Does he currently exhibit the traits the greatest hockey player in the world. I just wanna go over some points that make me question that.
First off, I’m only going to mention Crosby now to tell you I’m not going to talk or compare him to Ovie. I’ve disliked the Penguins since the Patrick Division. It killed me to root for the Red Wings during the 2008–09 Stanley Cup finals. It was like cheering the Cowboys on the beat the Patriots. Lesser of the two evils. And I think Crosby is a vagina and wears blush… on purpose. Crybaby was just LUCKY enough to be on Pens and Canada teams that won. I giant case of right place, right time. Not skill. That being said.
Goal scoring. Can Alex score? Yes. Can he make it look easy? Yes. Is it Art Ross Trophy worthy? Comparably yes. Is it holy crap, record shattering, crazy amounts of goals. No. The single season record is 92 goals. And year it was Gretzky. 50+ goals in a regular season is top dog stats in the NHL but, to be an elite, no doubt about it, #1 player you need to have multiple 65+ seasons. That puts you in the same likes as Grekzty (92,87,73,71,62), Hull (86,72,70) and Lemieux(85,70,69,69). Well, yes Gretzky has played 22 seasons but his 92 goal season happened in his 4th year. It took Hull until his 2nd full season to jump on his three year 70+ season streak. It’s not how pretty the goal is. It’s about how many time you’ve rippled the twine. Squeaking out a few more that someone else in the league doesn’t scream #1 in the world. He needs to start breaking out some 70+ seasons.
Positioning. Alex plays left wing. Hull and Lemieux played right wing and Gretzky played center. You could try to argue that, if you didn’t know about hockey, that the center gets more touches/opportunities to score. While in theory that should be correct, Gretzky stood in his “office” all the time (behind the net, if you didn’t know). Plus, the setup plays created these days are just as elaborate that NBA plays. They fed Alex the puck for one timers all the time. I would like to see the weave implemented though. One thing I think that has helped Ovie out a lot, the 2005 rule saying the center line is no longer used to determine a two-line pass. Ironically that was put in place just in time for Alex to join the league and cherry pick all game long. You can’t tell me he doesn’t do it. He’s circles there, like a vulture, between the blue line and center line. I see it with my two eyes, you see it with your two eyes. You can’t deny it. And if you still feel the need to still deny it, PLEASE explain to me what kind of defense defends the neutral zone when the puck is in the corner boards. He’s getting the jump on breakaways, 1-on-1’s, 2-on-1’s. Leading to more goal scorer’s goals vs other leading goal player who only get their goals off tip-ins. If he doesn’t cherry pick, he’s just a fancy 25+ goal scorer, which is a league average forward.
Decision making. I’m not talking about when to shoot or pass. I’m talking about when you should throw out a leg to sneak a trip but accidentally go knee-to-knee with an opposing player and get suspended for 2 games. I’m talking about when you skate buy a dropped stick, and you KNOW it’s a penalty if you even touch it, but you tap it three feet away from the defender and get called for interference. I’m talking about feeling the need to make contact with another player 6 feet from the boards. I’m not saying to was a dirty hit, I’m saying it was unnecessary. Re-watch the play. If he had just passed the defender and gone to the corner, he thrown a big hit there and possibly won possession of the puck. I’m all about hitting. There should be more. The should be harder. The should have to replace the glass along the boards more often. Knowing when not to do something stupid is just not a thought process Ovie possesses.
Leadership. Ovie just had the “C” sewn on his jersey, only for the fact that the previous captain Chris Clark was traded away. I didn’t think his was the obvious choice for captain. I really didn’t think he was going to be named the next captain. He doesn’t really make other players better on the ice. He does draw a ton of attention and focus to himself allowing other teammates to play to their potential. But as for boosting everyone elses’ skills, that doesn’t happen. He kinda over shadows the skill set of others on the ice with him. Ovie goes out on suspension and the team plays like they don’t need him. Even the head coach Coach Bruce Boudreau said that Ovechkin’s style of play was at times “reckless”. He is like a bull in a china shop when he plays. Is that the leadership style that you want your captain to have? Is that the actions of a #1 player?
Role modeling. For example, Tiger. Best golfer in the world. Had is issues off the course. Still the best golfer though. My point is if you had a child playing golf, you’d like him to be like Tiger the golfer and not Tiger the person. All of Ovie antics and shenanigans have happened on the ice. Would you want you kid to play like Alex the hockey player? He’s not really a goon or a dirty player. Sure, he’s flashing and fun to watch but, his actions no make people question if he’s MVP worthy. Scoring a bunch of goals, winning the Cup and snagging MVP doesn’t make you #1. It obviously helps the argument but doesn’t solidify it.
I not making an argument that someone else is #1. I’m just saying that he’s maybe not #1 yet.