Time to Take the "C" Off Ovechkin?
February 6, 2013 in nhl
By Staff Writer John Manuel:
As the Washington Capitals continue to struggle during this lockout shortened NHL season no one is going to feel more heat than its biggest star. Not Adam Oates, not George McPhee, and not Ted Leonsis. The pressure is continuing to build on Alex Ovechkin and he will soon need to start answering his growing critics.
After Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the former 60 goal scorer has totaled four points in the first nine games. Far from what it is expected from the Great 8. Is it time to look at removing Ovechkin as Captain? If so, what could be the consequences? Better play or would you lose him as a player beginning a complete downward spiral.
Can Ovi step up as Captain, or does he need replaced?
I think this is a very tough question and it depends how it is done if the Caps want to go that route. Not knowing the everyday locker room situation makes it a tough call for me to make. Would Alex be able to swallow his pride and accept the demotion? I think Ted Leonsis recently calling out Ovie was a good way to see how he would react to something like this. Although Leonsis should first worry about his job as Wizards and Capitals owner before calling anyone else out. Right now it’s not looking good for you Teddy.
It would put the Caps organization in a tough place if Ovie does not react well. You could see another Jagr situation arise and the eventually forced trade of Ovechkin. Although he has struggled, I am nowhere close to a situation where I want him on the trade block. But I am open to looking at a new captain if the team feels it could jump start his career again. Ovechkin has a lot on his plate right now, with his recent engagement and being a year away from the Sochi Olympics where he could be the game’s biggest star and ambassador.
The first question was would this be a good move to make at this time? If so, the second question then arises. If Ovechkin is out as captain, is there anyone who could step in and fill the role better? I think most start with Brooks Laich and he would be a good choice. Obviously not the star Ovie is but seems to be their most respected player and that showed when the Caps made sure not to lose him in free agency a couple offseasons ago.
Problem is when looking for a captain I just don't see a Dale Hunter type here but those aren't easy to find. Roman Hamrlik is the most veteran presence on the roster but he can't get on the ice so isn't a great option. Mike Green is a possibility down the road, but I don't think right now. The Caps best player so far has easily been Mike Ribeiro but he just got here and may not be here for the long haul as a free agent at seasons end.
So my guess is would the smart move to replace Ovechkin with Laich? I am happy I don't have to make that call but just wanted to throw it out there. The captain’s spot seems to be more important in hockey than more sports and more cherished by its owners. This team is in need of a captain to step up and is that guy Alex Ovechkin?
CapsFan999 said on February 6, 2013
The caps have the worst leadership in the league by far. How anyone could ever think a Russian who can barely speak english, a swede who barely speaks, and a stoner defenseman are the captains of a pro team is beyond me. Anyone that has ever been on a hcokey teamknows this is a recipe for disaster.
Nick said on February 6, 2013
He's new-ish and I don't know his contract situation, but wouldn't Brouwer make the list of possible "Cs"? He's been one of the more, if not the most, outspoken Cap since he got to DC and seems the motivational/leadership type. Bottom line, I don't see them stripping Ovi of his captaincy but that doesn't mean it's the right decision.
David said on February 6, 2013
And don't forget that Brouwer is the team's undisputed leaderwhen it comes to Gangnam Style…
John Manuel said on February 6, 2013
Good call on Brouwer as a possibility.
Rob Yunich said on February 6, 2013
This is one of the things that always come up when the Caps are struggling. The biggest problem with the Caps is (and has been for years) is that they don't play "a full 60 minutes," meaning that their effort is uneven. The Penguins and a handful of teams are ones that continue to be model organizations in this area. That starts with the coaches and GM and goes down through the players. The Pens also have a best roster than the Caps.
The biggest difference is that GM George McPhee has his way of building rosters and that it seems to not be working. In fact, his best season ever was his first full season when the Caps made the Stanley Cup finals — and he didn't build that roster.
There is a big argument that can be made for giving Brooks Laich (he's the only one that deserves it, in my opinion) the captaincy over Ovechkin. But the real issue is that the roster isn't made up properly and they have a rookie coach (who I think will be good over the long haul, but is over his head right now). So the choices are a) make a major trade (which McPhee tends not to do during the season), b) fire McPhee after the season (which Leonsis probably won't do) or c) hope that McPhee can figure out how to tweak the roster enough to make things better knowing that there will be a regular offseason this summer.
The reason Ovie is captain is because if (and it's a big if) the Caps can win the Cup, then there's nobody better on the team to receive it. But if you look at their most successful captains (Dale Hunter and Rod Langway, for starters) then Brooks Laich is the better bet.
The truth is that there are only a handful of must-keep players on the roster and, other than Laich, Ovechkin, Nick Backstrom and maybe Mike Green (all of whom will be wearing a letter on their sweater this season), the list is pretty small: Mike Riberio, John Carlson, Karl Alzner and one or both goalies. It's hard to argue for almost anybody else.
The list for the Penguins is much longer — and they made a huge trade this summer to improve. The Caps have a long way to go, and this season it seems their past woes have finally caught up with them.
Rant over.
Steve Shoup said on February 6, 2013
I think Cap fans need to start considering trading Ovechkin. He's just not playing at the elite level or to justify his contract. Beyond his play his lack of leadership is really troubling. He cares more about free lancing and delivering a big hit instead of getting back on defense and I think it's costing them big tim.