“Reckless” Ovechkin Hurts the Caps

“I think everyone’s known since the first time he came into this league that he plays a reckless style game.”

– Montreal defenseman Josh Gorges

“He needs a wake-up call in the form of a substantial suspension.”

– George Csolak, St. Louis Globe-Democrat

“Ovechkin [is] a brilliant but reckless player.”

– Garey Ris, The Wall Street Journal

“You would like to see him being more careful.”

– Washington forward Mike Knuble

“All I have to say is Ovie=Thug.”

Puck Daddy reader Robert T.

The Hockey News

While Alex Ovechkin has tallied only two goals in the Washington Capitals‘ last ten games, he’s been a staple on sports shows and blogs everywhere since the Caps’ most recent game against the Chicago Blackhawks in which he received both a 5-minute major and a game misconduct following a boarding call. Halfway through the first period, Brian Campbell left the game with what would be later diagnosed as a broken clavicle in addition to broken ribs. Campbell is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season following the much-publicized hit from behind he received from the NHL superstar.

Opinions about Ovechkin vary from those who believe he is simply an aggressive player in an aggressive game, and those who assert it’s only a matter of time before his style of hockey results in the ending of another NHLer’s career, or perhaps even worse. But there are also other concerns: aside from individuals, is Ovechkin hurting his team as well?

Aside from the immeasurable offensive contributions from Washington’s first-line winger, he is also the team’s captain and the team’s (and franchise’s) backbone. Coach Bruce Boudreau commented today that the players “know how much Alex means to the team” and Alex “knows how much he’s done for them.” With his skill and showmanship, he’s brought positive attention to the Washington Capitals franchise in the five years since he was drafted #1 overall. This season, however, he’s been dogged by a noticeably different kind of attention. On October 22, 2009 Ovechkin was fined $2,500 for slew footing Rich Peverly; November 25, 2009 he received a boarding major and a game misconduct for a hit on Patrick Kaleta; five days later, on November 30 he was suspended for the first time in his career: 2 games, following another game misconduct for a knee-on-knee hit on Tim Gleason; and this most recent, another 2 game suspension for the hit on Campbell.

Ryan Remiorz/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Prior to this, Ovechkin was not considered what some might call a “repeat offender” but many are now referring to him as such. This week, at least, Ovechkin has been spoken of as reckless, dirty, dangerous, and worse, contrasted with elite, sniper, “best player in the world” and any number of awestruck superlatives. Players are well aware of their opponents reputations, be it that of an agitator, an enforcer, a diver, or the guy you just really don’t want to go into the corner with, and they will play accordingly. Likewise, referees will do the same thing though they are meant to be impartial. Heading into playoffs, the Washington Capitals need to be led by the former Ovechkin–they just can’t afford to have him as a liability.

Posted by Anna Adler on Mar 16 2010. Filed under Eastern Conference, NHL News/Commentary, Southeast, Uncategorized, Washington Capitals. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.