The hate is centered on a guy whose playing well and whose contract terminates at years end...not on the highest paid player in the league for the next decade, under achieving captain whose skills look like they're depreciating.
The hate is centered on a guy whose playing well and whose contract terminates at years end...not on the highest paid player in the league for the next decade, under achieving captain whose skills look like they're depreciating.
Correct. The hate is not centered around a guy that's won two MVPs and single-handedly saved hockey in the market. I can't imagine why not..,
Ah the argument from last year holds. He's forever vindicated from any blame or criticism.
No, he's not. But he gets a hell of a lot more slack than Semin. And the current discussion is whether or not to retain Semin. That's not even a consideration with Ovechkin.
As BCF rightfully pointed out, Semin has these runs every year. It's fools gold. It's not indicative of what he'll bring on a consistent basis.
No, he's not. But he gets a hell of a lot more slack than Semin. And the current discussion is whether or not to retain Semin. That's not even a consideration with Ovechkin.
As BCF rightfully pointed out, Semin has these runs every year. It's fools gold. It's not indicative of what he'll bring on a consistent basis.
I know your a staunch OV supporter, but even you have to be discouraged, even worried by what your seeing from him, no? Beyond the stats the efforts not there and the passion looks lacking, nevermind no defensive awareness whatsoever.
I know your a staunch OV supporter, but even you have to be discouraged, even worried by what your seeing from him, no? Beyond the stats the efforts not there and the passion looks lacking, nevermind no defensive awareness whatsoever.
Sure I'm discouraged, and have said as much, indicating that the Caps won't go anywhere if he doesn't rediscover some semblance of his past form. I've been consistent in believing the #1 priority of the organization should be getting him right.
But that doesnt mean I have to bash him at every opportunity.
Ah the argument from last year holds. He's forever vindicated from any blame or criticism.
OV single handedly turned the Caps into an elite team, at the very least he's owed some leeway for all he's done.....some of you band wagon fans who arrived in 2005 might not realize that but he catapulted this team into the headlines.
If Backstrom will be OK to play in a month... he will need to stay on LTIR for about 2,5 weeks only. This time could be used to get back in shape (the best possible via practices). And then both NB and new center will play in post-season.
Do anybody here thinks he will be cleared in a month?
Do McPhee knows that for sure?
I think it's a possible scenario.
And McPhee discussing it (can't put him on LTIR blablabla) seems to be just for price negotiation purposes.
Sure I'm discouraged, and have said as much, indicating that the Caps won't go anywhere if he doesn't rediscover some semblance of his past form. I've been consistent in believing the #1 priority of the organization should be getting him right.
But that doesnt mean I have to bash him at every opportunity.
Not trying to bash him at every opportunity. Its just mind boggling to me that people always find ways to hate on Semin or Laich even when they're playing well, but they're seemingly oblivious to OV's piss poor play. This team as currently constructed goes as far as OV will take them. Which isn't reassuring right now.
If Backstrom will be OK to play in a month... he will need to stay on LTIR for about 2,5 weeks only. This time could be used to get back in shape (the best possible via practices). And then both NB and new center will play in post-season.
Do anybody here thinks he will be cleared in a month?
Do McPhee knows that for sure?
I think it's a possible scenario.
And McPhee discussing it (can't put him on LTIR blablabla) seems to be just for price negotiation purposes.
Given that he's not even skating yet seeing him before the postseason is extremely unlikely. I'm guessing they're either worried about the off chance that he's ready to go in late march and they're 3-4 points out and would be dying for his return to make it. That or there's no one within reach worth getting.
Not trying to bash him at every opportunity. Its just mind boggling to me that people always find ways to hate on Semin or Laich even when they're playing well, but they're seemingly oblivious to OV's piss poor play. This team as currently constructed goes as far as OV will take them. Which isn't reassuring right now.
What you're calling hate regarding Semin is reality. I don't hate the guy. Hell if he stayed healthy and put in the 50g 90+ point season I know he's capable of and gave 100 percent for a year, he would earn respect from the fans who aren't so easily enamoured with his flashy 60% effort and 60+ games a year resume.
Ovy is absolutely stinking up the joint, but he's the franchise, Semin isn't.
Your energy would be well directed if it was at the architect of this team instead of trying to deflect from Semin.
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George McPhee....The Teflon GM. 15 years of failure and counting....
6 - Number of playoff series the Capitals have won since George McPhee took over as General Manager in 1997 (which makes him the third-longest-tenured GM in the League), three of which came in McPhee's first season on the job.
The scary thing about Ovi is that he has regressed even though physically he seems fine. What happens when he actually loses a step or injuries start to accumulate? What happens if public opinion turns against him?
Nobody's really talking about him in part because trading him seems so unrealistic, as far as the Caps' brass goes... I mean, there are hypothetical scenarios, and then there's this.
But his contract is a doomsday weapon at this point, the kind that can turn DC into radioactive wasteland for a decade. If I were Leonsis I don't think I could tolerate that level of risk.
I hoped Hunter would get Ovechkin to play like Kovalchuk, instead he hasn't gotten him or the whole team, instead its just give up and let them into our zone.
Hunter is Boudreau 2.0 if you ask me. There was maybe some back checking his first few games coaching, but its gone like he didn't want them back checking.
Hunter needs to sit Ovi do, tell him to watch Kovalchuks playing, and tell him start playing like that or you get less than 10 minutes a game.
What you're calling hate regarding Semin is reality. I don't hate the guy. Hell if he stayed healthy and put in the 50g 90+ point season I know he's capable of and gave 100 percent for a year, he would earn respect from the fans who aren't so easily enamoured with his flashy 60% effort and 60+ games a year resume.
Ovy is absolutely stinking up the joint, but he's the franchise, Semin isn't.
Your energy would be well directed if it was at the architect of this team instead of trying to deflect from Semin.
Semin could very well be gone after this year, people are more concerned with him receiving another 1 year deal than a underachieving player on a decade long one.
The reality with OV is his stick handling has worsened, he struggles to get a shot on net, the effort level is down, and with more of an emphasis on defense, he hasn't shown the competence to play in such a system.
The reality with OV is his stick handling has worsened, he struggles to get a shot on net, the effort level is down, and with more of an emphasis on defense, he hasn't shown the competence to play in such a system.
Right. I could deal with lower stats in a more defensive system if these internals weren't even worse. More than anything I'm just not sure he's a person you want to build around. His sloppiness or giving up on plays sets a terrible example.
Right, not a person you want to build around. FFS, the team built around him has won how many consecutive division titles? He's got one of the best playoff points/game in history.
You don't hear a peep of negative commentary about him from former teammates, despite all the negative stuff you hear about other players, coaches, etc. There's nothing but praise for his desire, leadership, etc.
Right, not a person you want to build around. FFS, the team built around him has won how many consecutive division titles? He's got one of the best playoff points/game in history.
You don't hear a peep of negative commentary about him from former teammates, despite all the negative stuff you hear about other players, coaches, etc. There's nothing but praise for his desire, leadership, etc.
That's just an absurd statement.
While I do want to retain and build around him, I can't recall a player being ripped by coaches/GM in the media like Alex just was.
I think those comments from McPhee/Kolzig are far more damning than what Bradley/Steckel had to say about Semin and unnamed others.
