Gettin AO Outta DC

[arnoldbuck 0]

I came across this article on foxsports.com - made me curious. Obviously the owners see AO as the teams future and their money-ticket. But how about AO? Do you think the guy will want to stay there? It must be frustrating for him to be on a team which is no-where near making the playoffs. Would the Caps recognize that they may not be able to afford it and trade him? How many teams could afford to make a offer-sheet which could pull him away? How much would it take? Most of all, does this even have a possibility of turning into reality, or is it just a crazy idea which makes an interesting discussion topic?

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"Maybe someone can provide one good reason for Alex Ovechkin to sign a new contract with the Capitals before becoming a restricted free agent on July 1, because we sure can't think of any.

Ovechkin, stuck in a hockey market in DC that's as irrelevant now as it was before the lockout and therefore denied a suitable stage to showcase his brilliance, isn't going to make more money by signing with the Caps than he would by inviting offer sheets this summer.

Even if owner Ted Leonsis tries to make him the NHL's highest-paid player by offering a max contract of $10.3 million per season, the value of a max contract - 20 percent of the cap - will rise this summer in direct proportion to the anticipated 7-to-10-percent cap increase for 2008-09.

Honestly, if Kevin Lowe believed Thomas Vanek to be worth four first-round draft picks last summer, any number of GMs with cap space to accommodate an annual hit of up to $10M per surely will feel the same way about the dynamic 22-year-old Ovechkin. He has registered 112 goals and 221 points in his first 184 NHL games.

Memo to Brian Burke and all those who would howl at the thought of rival teams "poaching" another club's marquee player: Ovechkin does not belong to the Caps. Through no desire of his own, he merely is playing for Washington under a three-year, entry-level capped lease that will expire at the end of this season. He never chose to play in DC so much as he chose to play in the NHL rather than remain in Russia after the lockout.

The Caps did nothing to earn Ovechkin other than being lousy in 2003-04 before then winning the Draft lottery to leapfrog both the 29th-overall Blackhawks and 30th-overall Penguins. That got them the first pick in what has become essentially a two-player draft, with Evgeni Malkin going second to Pittsburgh.

The NHL surely would never admit such a thing, but getting Ovechkin into a marquee hockey market would benefit a league that's most identifiable now by a combination of cap-imposed mediocrity in the guise of parity and the absence of super teams.

The Caps have averaged 74.2-percent capacity this season, the third-worst mark in the league behind Florida and Chicago. They're one of six teams in the NHL under 80 percent capacity thus far, one of 13 under 90 percent in a gate-receipts league.

Hard Cap utopia, anyone?

There's a new coach in Washington after two years of regressing under Glen Hanlon, and the guess is there will be a new GM, too, by the end of the season if George McPhee's team doesn't show marked progress between now and the end of the year.

Amid all this uncertainty and performing in a backwater hockey room with talents designed for the big stage, why would Ovechkin commit now to remaining in Washington?

Sinatra left Hoboken, didn't he?"

[Grittzkey 1]

He's going to cost to much money for any contending team to be able to afford.

Edited November 27, 2007 by Grittzkey

[MacK_Attack 108]

Washington will match any offer sheet that Ovechkin may sign.

[Viperar 16]

Washington will match any offer sheet that Ovechkin may sign.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

The only way this works is if Ovechkin asks for a trade. And if he does, it would have to be with a team that has a superstar to offer in return.

Although, if Niedermayer came back, it would be cool to see a blockbuster move like Pronger, Perry and a 1st for Ovechkin, give or take a few high picks/prospects.

Edited November 27, 2007 by YoungGuns1340

[Viperar 16]

big time trades are always fun, but god forbid AO ever ends up a duck

[BlueMonk 102]

He scored a beauty of a goal tonight. Just fought his way through defenders, didn't dive, got rewarded with a juicy rebound.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

The only way this works is if Ovechkin asks for a trade. And if he does, it would have to be with a team that has a superstar to offer in return.

Although, if Niedermayer came back, it would be cool to see a blockbuster move like Pronger, Perry and a 1st for Ovechkin, give or take a few high picks/prospects.

Acquiring a star in return like Pronger for Ovechkin kinda defeats the purpose of trading him to begin with. If you trade AO, you're gunning for nothing but young talent in return as you're rebuilding. In Anaheims case, they would shoot for Perry, Bobby Ryan, another top prospect (preferably a dman or goalie)...along with a pick or two im sure. The theory being you trade your one superstar for potentially 3 future big contributors...making your team much better depthwise with budding talent. A bad team trading their one star for another star really doesnt help matters...might as well just keep AO.

Edited November 27, 2007 by Lou_Siffer

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Burke wouldnt trade Pronger.

I could see Toronto giving him a huge offer sheet/making a ridiculous trade for him.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Acquiring a star in return like Pronger for Ovechkin kinda defeats the purpose of trading him to begin with. If you trade AO, you're gunning for nothing but young talent in return as you're rebuilding. In Anaheims case, they would shoot for Perry, Bobby Ryan, and whoever their 2nd best prospect is (preferably a dman or goalie...along with a couple picks im sure. The theory being you trade your one superstar for potentially 3 future big contributors...making your team much better depthwise with budding talent. A bad team trading their one star for another star really doesnt help matters...might as well just keep AO.

Not really. The caps have decent strength up front with Nylander, Semin, and Backstrom, and then theyd add Perry. Theyd strengthen the hell out of their blueline with Pronger and could definitely come out better than before the trade, all the while still adding a big name like Pronger to the roster. As for Anaheim, they add an absolutely elite winger, and with Niedermayer coming back, theyd replace Pronger as well.

Note that my scenario for this trade was operating under the circumstance that Niedermayer was returning. You should also read the fine print here. The Caps arent a team thats concerned with making a run for the cup like some big spending organizations in this league are. Theyre more interested in keeping Ovechkin because hes a draw. Hes better for business than he is for winning. THAT is why the Caps would be gunning for a superstar to replace Ovechkin.

Burke wouldnt trade Pronger.

I could see Toronto giving him a huge offer sheet/making a ridiculous trade for him.

An offer sheet would do nothing. The Caps would match. And Burke may be in love with Pronger, but this is Ovechkin were talking about trading for. Unless that Leafs are offering their 1st rounders from now until the end of time, then they have nothing of significance to offer the Caps.

Edited November 27, 2007 by YoungGuns1340

[Guest Jeremy88]

Is it possible for Ovechkin to refuse to resign with the Caps?

[toby91_ca 620]

Is it possible for Ovechkin to refuse to resign with the Caps?

Sure, no one can force him to sign a contract with the Caps, but they would still hold his rights and he wouldn't be able to paly with anyone else in the NHL.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

lets trade him for grigs straight up...ask them to throw in a first rounder too, i mean grigs is the best russian ever right?

[Guest Jeremy88]

Ovechkin really needs to get out of Washington...or it will be years before he'll ever be a slight threat for the Stanley Cup. I know Washington is trying to rebuild, but Ovechkin can't carry the team himself

[Viperar 16]

Ovechkin really needs to get out of Washington...or it will be years before he'll ever be a slight threat for the Stanley Cup. I know Washington is trying to rebuild, but Ovechkin can't carry the team himself

Why should he leave? He is still young, no where near the thought process of "oh s*** im getting old i need a cup", he is loved in DC and enjoys being here from what he has told me and others who have met him, and while washington is rebuilding, their new coach has already had some impact, and basically i dont see him needing to leave yet

[arnoldbuck 0]

Just a question (that I actually think I have asked here before ... oops) Anyway, in regards to an offer sheet. If a team makes an offer sheet to a player ... ex. Toronto makes an offer-sheet to Ovechkin. Does AO have to except the offer sheet given to him. Or can he simply decline it. Obviosuly players are inclined to accept, because it means they will get more money. However, if they are really loyal to the organization, can they simply say, "no."?

[Yzerfan1999 81]

Acquiring a star in return like Pronger for Ovechkin kinda defeats the purpose of trading him to begin with. If you trade AO, you're gunning for nothing but young talent in return as you're rebuilding. In Anaheims case, they would shoot for Perry, Bobby Ryan, another top prospect (preferably a dman or goalie)...along with a pick or two im sure. The theory being you trade your one superstar for potentially 3 future big contributors...making your team much better depthwise with budding talent. A bad team trading their one star for another star really doesnt help matters...might as well just keep AO.

But boy, would it be funny to see Pronger shipped off the Washington. Haha.

[toby91_ca 620]

Just a question (that I actually think I have asked here before ... oops) Anyway, in regards to an offer sheet. If a team makes an offer sheet to a player ... ex. Toronto makes an offer-sheet to Ovechkin. Does AO have to except the offer sheet given to him. Or can he simply decline it. Obviosuly players are inclined to accept, because it means they will get more money. However, if they are really loyal to the organization, can they simply say, "no."?

Ask yourself this question: If the Wings only offered Zetterberg $1,000 per year for 10 years, would he have to accept? If you can answer that, you should be able to answer your question.

[Yzerfan1999 81]

Ask yourself this question: If the Wings only offered Zetterberg $1,000 per year for 10 years, would he have to accept? If you can answer that, you should be able to answer your question.

Or I could just tell you - No, they don't have to sign it - but chances are they would in order to get a bigger offer from their current club. But ,if the club declines to match, then your obligated to play for the team you signed the original offer sheet with. Example, Dustin Penner.

[eva unit zero 271]

Washington's biggest needs if they trade Ovechkin are a defensively capable defenseman and a solid defensive forward, as well as at least one skilled offensive forward. Preferably at least two of these players would be between 22-28.

One possible deal would be Jonathan Cheechoo, Pat Rissmiller, Curtis Brown, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic for Ovechkin.

[toby91_ca 620]

Or I could just tell you - No, they don't have to sign it - but chances are they would in order to get a bigger offer from their current club. But ,if the club declines to match, then your obligated to play for the team you signed the original offer sheet with. Example, Dustin Penner.

Chances are, they won't sign an offer sheet, it's very rare.

[arnoldbuck 0]

Or I could just tell you - No, they don't have to sign it - but chances are they would in order to get a bigger offer from their current club. But ,if the club declines to match, then your obligated to play for the team you signed the original offer sheet with. Example, Dustin Penner.

Thanks. I much appreciate the real answer. f***, that was hard. haha. I just was curious, if that situation were to play with us and Z. If someone jumped at the chance to sign Z. If he could remain loyal to Detroit and just decline that offer. Thats all.

[jenova0 0]

Just a question (that I actually think I have asked here before ... oops) Anyway, in regards to an offer sheet. If a team makes an offer sheet to a player ... ex. Toronto makes an offer-sheet to Ovechkin. Does AO have to except the offer sheet given to him. Or can he simply decline it. Obviosuly players are inclined to accept, because it means they will get more money. However, if they are really loyal to the organization, can they simply say, "no."?

Toronto actually tendered Zetterberg an offer sheet and he declined. I believe they offered somewhere between 1 and 2 million after his 1st or 2nd year.

[BringHomeTheCup! 0]

So far all of the big trade talk is missing something, espically the suggested deal involving the Ducks. You are all forgetting AO's potential salary. No question he could ask for and easily get league max. However, minimally he gets $8 per. The Ducks wouldn't be able to fit him in under the cap unless they sent a big contract back to Washington, ala Prongger, Bert, or Scotty. I don't think there is any senario that AO gets traded.

Even if AO demanded to be traded, I just can't see the Caps dealing him. Outside of Crosby, there isn't a player in the NHL that I would trade him for. On the flip side, I don't see too many GM's that would be in the position (cap-wise) to acquire AO who would have the pieces to make the deal work.

[Dabura 12,232]

Washington will match any offer sheet that Ovechkin may sign.

That's why Burke is using Skittles, not dollars.

As in, a trail of Skittles leading directly to the Honda Center.