Guest GordieSid&Ted Report post Posted January 11, 2008 Great for the Caps, bad for AO. It'll be a while before the Caps can help him shine out there and go anywhere. Here's to Ovie cuphunting in 13 years! I doubt it. Look at the standings around the league. Not many points separate 1st and last place in most divisions. Look at what Crosby did in Pitt. They won like 25 games his first season and then won like 45 the next and went to the playoffs. But, the Pens had already drafted Whitney and Fleury and had some pieces in place. If you look at the Caps, they're the lunchpail crew. But, they do have some gems. AO Nicklas Backstrom-he's going to be great Alexander Semin-great year last year, slump this year but he's got mad skill Mike Green-great offensive d-man, in 2 years he'll be sick Karl Alzner-another fine you dman they just drafted What they need is a fine young goalie to take over for Kolzig. Not that Kolzig is terrible but he's been there forever. Time for new blood in their net. I would not be surprised to see the Caps in the hunt for awhile this season although I don't think they'll get in. If they don't get in in the next 2 years, I'd be shocked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GordieSid&Ted Report post Posted January 11, 2008 (edited) Am I the only person who thinks this is sort of dumb? Do people never learn their lesson? Does AO have any motivation to ever really play hard again? Mind you I didn't read all the terms of the contract or the rest of this thread. I hate questions like this. Your implying that AO either 1. doesn't live, breathe, eat, sleep and $hit hockey, the game he loves or 2. is a lazy bastard of questionable moral character who only plays the game for money. If somebody upped your salary at work because you work your butt off and are great at what you do, how would you react if the guy across the hall questioned your principles and work ethic? AO will play his butt off forever because that's his style and because he loves the game and wants to win. He's a superior athlete and just because he has major bank now I don't see him or any athlete for that matter just punching the clock and not giving a damn about working hard and winning. Edited January 11, 2008 by GordieSid&Ted Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwing711 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2008 AO also saved money too, because he represented himself, as he fired his agent a bit ago... But AO really should of taken less, because the Caps aren't going to win a cup in those 13 years Say he did agree to take less so the organization could build a team around him - what guarantees management actually uses that money for that purpose. Not only that, but doesn't the management/owner of every team have some responsibility for writing these ridiculous contracts? Is someone were willing to pay you that kind of money would you tell them no? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted January 11, 2008 No, No -- AO did not save the team any money -- he saved himself money. agents are paid from a percentage of the contract for a player. They are not paid directly from the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted January 11, 2008 I hate questions like this. Your implying that AO either 1. doesn't live, breathe, eat, sleep and $hit hockey, the game he loves or 2. is a lazy bastard of questionable moral character who only plays the game for money. If somebody upped your salary at work because you work your butt off and are great at what you do, how would you react if the guy across the hall questioned your principles and work ethic? AO will play his butt off forever because that's his style and because he loves the game and wants to win. He's a superior athlete and just because he has major bank now I don't see him or any athlete for that matter just punching the clock and not giving a damn about working hard and winning. Not only that, my friend. I'm also implying that he could get hurt and not be the kind of player he used to be. Too many intangibles for me. Great deal for AO...remains to be seen for the Caps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vangvace 12 Report post Posted January 11, 2008 They left 14 million free this season. Does that really breed confidence that they are looking to be a cup contender? If he did take less it wouldn't translate into them using that cap space elsewhere. In addition, this is Washington we're talking about, home of the one trick pony and the original edition of the Predators. If the cap goes up like the league is forcasting then they will still have around 10 mil to play with for next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted January 11, 2008 I hate questions like this. Your implying that AO either 1. doesn't live, breathe, eat, sleep and $hit hockey, the game he loves or 2. is a lazy bastard of questionable moral character who only plays the game for money. If somebody upped your salary at work because you work your butt off and are great at what you do, how would you react if the guy across the hall questioned your principles and work ethic? AO will play his butt off forever because that's his style and because he loves the game and wants to win. He's a superior athlete and just because he has major bank now I don't see him or any athlete for that matter just punching the clock and not giving a damn about working hard and winning. While I agree with most of this, to play devil's advocate, you could also look at it this way: If my employer guaranteed me a lot of money over the next 15 years no matter what, I wonder if that may have an impact on the level of effort I put out there. Depends on the environment I suppose. While is may be silly to say that Ovechkin will slack off now because of the big contract, it may be just as silly to completely dismiss that potential and say he is going to play his heart out for the rest of his career. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jaytan Report post Posted January 11, 2008 We really ought to lock up Chelios for another dozen years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted January 11, 2008 Say he did agree to take less so the organization could build a team around him - what guarantees management actually uses that money for that purpose. Not only that, but doesn't the management/owner of every team have some responsibility for writing these ridiculous contracts? Is someone were willing to pay you that kind of money would you tell them no? Let me put it this way.. I think i'ts pretty much everyone's dream to win a cup in the NHL.. CORRECT?.... One person isn't going to win it for you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted January 11, 2008 No, No -- AO did not save the team any money -- he saved himself money. agents are paid from a percentage of the contract for a player. They are not paid directly from the team. Read it again, that's what I said. AO saved himself money Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sibiriak 84 Report post Posted January 11, 2008 I don't understand why AO would take that deal. When you take that much money it limits your team's ability to build around you. Does he not want to win the SC? I also don't get how he can make more money then Crosby? As far as Z goes, I don't see how he can ask for more the Daytsuk and Lids? Him and Dats are comparible and Lids is more important to the team. If he wants more he will leave the team I am sure. If he really cares about being succesful he will get probably what Lids gets... 1. Ovechkin is making just $300,000 more than Crosby in the first five years of the contract. When his current contract expires in 5 years, Crosby will be making several millions more than Ovechkin. The average cap hit will be higher for Crosby. 2. Washington is not spending nowhere near the cap. Even if AO was making 15 mil. a year, he still wouldn't be limiting the cap space as the Caps payroll stands now. 3. If Zetterberg, Datsyuk, or Lidstrom pay any attention whatsoever to what their teammates are making, they have never shown any sign of it. The only people interested in comparing salaries are the players agents, when negotiating a contract ... and you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Izzy24 44 Report post Posted January 12, 2008 Great for the Caps, bad for AO. It'll be a while before the Caps can help him shine out there and go anywhere. Here's to Ovie cuphunting in 13 years! Bad for AO? It's $124 million dollars to play hockey, that seems like a pretty sweet deal to me. I don't understand why AO would take that deal. When you take that much money it limits your team's ability to build around you. Does he not want to win the SC? I also don't get how he can make more money then Crosby? As far as Z goes, I don't see how he can ask for more the Daytsuk and Lids? Him and Dats are comparible and Lids is more important to the team. If he wants more he will leave the team I am sure. If he really cares about being succesful he will get probably what Lids gets... Maybe he's one of those rare people who like money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted January 12, 2008 I don't really have a problem with the amount - I don't doubt he's worth it - but the length is just wacky. But hey, could be worth it if someone like Backstrom develops into a good enough C for him and if the Caps pick up a good goalie to replace Kolzig and if...bla bla...a lot of ifs...What if he gets injured, not one that puts him permanently out of playing, but one that limits him severely? That's why the length just bugs me... Maybe he's one of those rare people who like money. hihi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viperar 16 Report post Posted January 12, 2008 woot....awesome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flip-check 6 Report post Posted January 12, 2008 Bad for AO? It's $124 million dollars to play hockey, that seems like a pretty sweet deal to me. You is jes' crazy Izzy, $124M is pennies! He can hardly buy groceries on that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
imisssergei 0 Report post Posted January 13, 2008 While I agree with most of this, to play devil's advocate, you could also look at it this way: If my employer guaranteed me a lot of money over the next 15 years no matter what, I wonder if that may have an impact on the level of effort I put out there. Depends on the environment I suppose. While is may be silly to say that Ovechkin will slack off now because of the big contract, it may be just as silly to completely dismiss that potential and say he is going to play his heart out for the rest of his career. One has to believe that winning a Cup is a pretty strong motivator. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted January 13, 2008 (edited) One has to believe that winning a Cup is a pretty strong motivator. Must not be the case when you signed your life away with the caps... but i digress... maybe something truely amazing will happen... although i hope not for them, being a wings fan Although having the cup being brough back here would be nice... maybe so... GO BRENT JOHNSON and GO MICHAL NEUVIRTH Edited January 13, 2008 by OsGOD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
imisssergei 0 Report post Posted January 14, 2008 Must not be the case when you signed your life away with the caps... but i digress... maybe something truely amazing will happen... although i hope not for them, being a wings fan Although having the cup being brough back here would be nice... maybe so... GO BRENT JOHNSON and GO MICHAL NEUVIRTH Seriously, look at the team they have. They have a lot of young talent in their lineup. Semin, Green, AO, and Backstrom. They will be much better in the future without bringing anyone else in. There is no doubt that the Caps will start to attract some higher profile UFA's just because of AO. Once things get on a roll in D.C., look out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
