Getting sick of "Ovie's" goal celebration's

[The Secret 304]

The goal against Montreal last week, where he was on his knees and gesturing towards himself, I thought that was a definite "look at how sweet I am" move, and I don't really like that. That's where it crosses the line from genuine enthusiasm to showing off. In general, I have no problem with his usual--throwing himself against the glass, jumping around acting like the next contestant on The Price is Right, etc.

I wouldn't want our guys to be like that though--one of the reasons we're so successful is because we stay on an even keel and don't get down on ourselves when things aren't going well. The flip side is that you don't get too up when things go right, but that's a necessary evil IMO.

You got it. Celebrate, be excited but don't turn into a cocky a-hole and go over board. I have not problem with most of what AO does, he's acted a tad much on a few occassions. I also agree that I like the way our players are and wouldn't want them to start a side shows after scoring.

[Spinner 6]

You know it's funny cause I started a thread a while ago about how I loved Hossa passion that came out when he scored goals. Much like Ovechkin or Malkin. It seemed like every single poster in that thread agreed that they loved the passion. That is what I see when I see Ovechkin. It's not a basketball or football type of taunting and cockiness. It's more of a desire to win. It's a passion for scoring goals and helping your team win games.

Exactly. It seems in football, there's a celebration at the end of every play. The guy makes a tackle and he acts like he's King Kong or something. You don't see players celebrating hits or takeaways or whatever in hockey. The only celebrations you see are when they score. I don't have a problem with football players celebrating in the end zone after a touchdown, but come on, every play?

Edited February 24, 2009 by Spinner

[Ms_Hockey 0]

I'd much prefer to see celebrations after goals than skating back to the bench as if nothing actually happened. Ovechkin is a one-of-a-kind player. He's a potent goal scorer, puck handler, and his physical skills are just about on par with everything else.

If he wants to celebrate his goals, let him. I certainly would if I had that kind of talent. He loves the game, he loves when he succeeds in the game, and he likes to let it show. I see no problem with that.

[PROBIE4PREZ 58]

well out of about 550 skaters Id say if one guy is doing it who cares .. Ovie is the only player that comes to mind that celebrates every goal .. and most of the time hes jumping at the glass like a Lambou? leap .. itd be cool if he could jump into the first row of the fans .. lol

[PROBIE4PREZ 58]

well out of about 550 skaters Id say if one guy is doing it who cares .. Ovie is the only player that comes to mind that celebrates every goal .. and most of the time hes jumping at the glass like a Lambou? leap .. itd be cool if he could jump into the first row of the fans .. lol

[Guest micah]

uh Datsyuk doesn't hit? Who led the team in hits in the playoffs last year?

My bad, he does has done alot more hitting in recent years - but he hits like a girl. Ovy throws his body around, Dats is a creampuff. You know it's true.

He may be younger, and sure he is a great offensive talent, but unitl he is at the top of the scoring list AND gets serious consideration for the Selke every year, then in no way is he BETTER than Datsyuk OR Zetterberg.

Yes, he is. Find me just one non-homer Wings fan who would not trade either Z or Dats for Ovy, if all three had identical contracts/cap hits.

Oh, he also needs to lead his team to a Championship (not necessary, but would help if you want me to consider him a BETTER player.)

Marcel Dionne wasn't as good as Z or Dats either

BTW, Datsyuk isn't afraid to stand up to anyone (ie. Gary Roberts)

Yes, he is. Tapping a guy with your gloved hand is not "standing up to him". Had dats thrown off his sissy-shield, dropped his gloves and siad "okay old man, let's do this", that would have impressed me. Scrumming is sissy garbage that proves absolutely nothing. If they fought a fair fight, Gary Roberts would mop the ice with Pavel, 10 times out of 10. they never will. One of them fights a few times a year and is pretty good at it, the other has never been in a single fight. Gretzky was not too precious and dainty to scrap once in a great while, Lemieux certainly wasn't, Howe wasn't (though he didn't fight even as much as Mario did), the Rocket wasn't, Bobby Orr wasn't. It's probably just because the whole league is scared of toughguy Pavel and nobody will fight him though, right?

[Kevvie 0]

I find intensely interesting to watch the progression of these threads. This one has gone from AO's celebrations to Crosby being a hot dog (and Grapes did not call Sindey a hot dog, he said it was a hot dog move while he was in Rimouski) to discussing whether Dats is a pansy or not. Cool s***.

Most days the guys at work talk about hockey over our morning coffee break. Several times, the subject of "Ovechkin's goal last night" has come up. It always goes to his celebration of that goal. It's something we smile and laugh at, and wonder how he does it. He keeps up that same excitement every game. No matter how many goals he scores, they are all just like his first in the NHL. If a guy can keep up that amount of excitement and energy, I say good for him. Until he starts taunting the other team with his antics, I think it's awesome that every goal brings that much joy to the ice. More games would be a lot more exciting if more players celebrated like this. Of course, if anyone started doing that now, he would just be called an Ovechkin wannabe.

[Doc Holiday 0]

My bad, he does has done alot more hitting in recent years - but he hits like a girl. Ovy throws his body around, Dats is a creampuff. You know it's true.

Tell that to Ryan Malone and Zdeno Chara.

Yes, he is. Find me just one non-homer Wings fan who would not trade either Z or Dats for Ovy, if all three had identical contracts/cap hits.

I love the "age=skill" argument. His age doesn't make him better than Datsyuk. It makes him a better asset for a long term contract. I'd take Ovechkin in a heartbeat on Zetterberg or Datsyuk's contract, but that is because Ovechkin is in his early twenties and has a huge amount of upside. For a one year contract I would keep Datsyuk.

Yes, he is. Tapping a guy with your gloved hand is not "standing up to him". Had dats thrown off his sissy-shield, dropped his gloves and siad "okay old man, let's do this", that would have impressed me. Scrumming is sissy garbage that proves absolutely nothing. If they fought a fair fight, Gary Roberts would mop the ice with Pavel, 10 times out of 10. they never will. One of them fights a few times a year and is pretty good at it, the other has never been in a single fight. Gretzky was not too precious and dainty to scrap once in a great while, Lemieux certainly wasn't, Howe wasn't (though he didn't fight even as much as Mario did), the Rocket wasn't, Bobby Orr wasn't. It's probably just because the whole league is scared of toughguy Pavel and nobody will fight him though, right?

Yeah, I suppose Datsyuk is too much of a girl to fight. Or maybe it is because the Wings like to keep their star players out of the box, and Datsyuk doesn't get pushed around enough for him to have to send a message.

Continue to think he is a little creampuff and can't hold his own on the ice. I'll be busy laughing as Datsyuk hits, dangles, and blows by his opposition.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

You tell me. What would happen if everyone celebrated that way?

I'm sure you've seen a football game at least once in your lifetime.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I'm sure you've seen a football game at least once in your lifetime.

A couple of people mentioned it already about what would have happened had Crosby scored that goal and hammed it up afterwards. Of course they were immediately dismissed.

You can bet your ass, your paycheck and your mortgage that if Crosby, having just scored that goal, was sitting on his ass on the ice, palms up, egging the crowd to cheer louder for him in the way AO was doing...and be honest, he was saying to the crowd "c'mon people, give it up, that was something".....you can bet if Crosby did that there would be a thread here just dismantling the kid for being a pompous, entitled brat who doesn't deserve the "C" and should show more respect for his opponent and the game of hockey itself.

Bank on it.

[LeftWinger 5,153]

My bad, he does has done alot more hitting in recent years - but he hits like a girl. Ovy throws his body around, Dats is a creampuff. You know it's true.

Yes, he is. Find me just one non-homer Wings fan who would not trade either Z or Dats for Ovy, if all three had identical contracts/cap hits.

Marcel Dionne wasn't as good as Z or Dats either

Yes, he is. Tapping a guy with your gloved hand is not "standing up to him". Had dats thrown off his sissy-shield, dropped his gloves and siad "okay old man, let's do this", that would have impressed me. Scrumming is sissy garbage that proves absolutely nothing. If they fought a fair fight, Gary Roberts would mop the ice with Pavel, 10 times out of 10. they never will. One of them fights a few times a year and is pretty good at it, the other has never been in a single fight. Gretzky was not too precious and dainty to scrap once in a great while, Lemieux certainly wasn't, Howe wasn't (though he didn't fight even as much as Mario did), the Rocket wasn't, Bobby Orr wasn't. It's probably just because the whole league is scared of toughguy Pavel and nobody will fight him though, right?

dude, are you serious? Hits like a girl? You're probably right about the homer thing, but seriously in your opinion is Ovechkin the better ALL AROUND player? He only has 3 points on Pav this year, and will get NO consideration for the Selke, tht says it all right there. Sissy sheild? Uh, lets see:

and please just tell me how much better Ovechkin would fair if he stood toe to toe with Gary Roberts in a real fist-a-cano? The point there is Pav does not allow players to take liberties with him and skate away with his tail between his legs. Like you seem to be insinuating.

Now lets cover the comparing of superstars of the past. I simply said if you want me to consider Ovechkin better than Pav or Z, then he has to cut the bullcrap and lead his team to the Cup. How much consideration did Steve Yzerman get in this league UNTIL he re-vamped his game and became argueably the best Captain in all of Sports. He became more team oriented, redefined his defensive game and viola, led his team to three Cups in six years. Marcel Dionne never had the supporting cast to get it done, did he ever win a Selke? Dude Mario WAS tough and I say WAS and that was prior to him winning hs first Cup. After that, he became a creampuff (dirty cheapshot artist as well.) GRETZKY? GRETZKY? I challenge you right now to find even ONE, ONE Gretzky fight where he even remotely fought back as much as Pavel did against Roberts.

pretty much your man love for Ovechkin is obvious, and like I said he is a great offensive talent, but when it comes down to numbers and being the better ALL AROUND player, Datsyuk beats him hands down. I'll take Stanley Cups over Hart trophies and Rocket Richard tophies. I'd even take Pavel finishing 3 points behind Ovechkin and bringing home another Cup, than getting another Selke, but guess who will get serious consideration for the Selke AGAIN this year while your boy won't? Oh, BTW, if Pavel keeps up his torrid scoring pace, guess who will ALSO get serious consideration for the Hart? Ovechkin is good (great some may say) but is NOT as good as Datsyuk.

Oh, if you consider the draft positions of Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin and Datsyuk(1st overall, 1st overall and 2nd overall compared to 171st overall) and their point totals this year being #1 through #4 respetively, I think your argument ends there.

I suppose you also think that Eric Lindros was a better ALL Around player than Sergei Fedorov was too?

But to the OP, yes his celebrations are a bit over-the-top, but he is young, let him have fun right now. It is when he becomes older and gets tired of LOSING when he'll realize that there is no I in team and he'll settle down and become a team player and MAYBE win something of significance, like maybe a Stanley Cup. Which BTW (to micah) I think Dionne would trade ALL his hardware in for just one drink out of Lord Stanley.

do you think Nick Lidstrom would trade away his 6 Norris trophies for 6 Stanley Cups? Indvidual awards are great, but in the end, how many Cups do you own? Gretzky, Lemeiux, Howe, Rocket, Orr, Yzerman they all have Cups, Pavel has Cups, Ovechkin? ZERO... Ovechkin, Crsoby, Malkin, you guys can have the Hart every year, so long as Pavel keeps leading his team to Cups, I'm happy without having ANY Hart's...

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Sid, is that you!?

Response of the day

[Holmstrom96 347]

I like Ovie's emotion. Like other's said, as long as it's not taunting I'm fine with it. I'm sure it brings people in and makes the game more exciting.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Back on topic- I don't mind Ovechkin's celebrations, even if they are over the top and little too frequent. Why do I like them? They're honest. When he celebrates his goals you can see that he's honestly excited and happy to have scored, it's not a calculated act of showmanship or an attempt to taunt the opposition. That's the only reason why people tolerate it- it's him showing his emotion... it's Ovi's personality.

How different is Ovi jumping up and hitting the glass than someone else skating to their bench and giving everyone there a fist bump/hand slap? Almost every goal ends up with someone skating to the bench to hit a line of outstretched hands.

Lots of players celebrate their goals- Ovi just does it more flamboyantly and frequently.

I do agree that he acts like every goal is the OT winner and that can be annoying, but you have to look at it from his point of view and just realize that it's him showing his passion for the game and it would be worse to try and damper that than just shaking your head a little and saying "that's Ovi".

Ovechkin's got more personality than half the NHL combined and that's good for the game.

I just wish this thread hadn't turned into another Crosby haters vs. Crosby lovers showdown (but both sides on these forums are equally guilty of being too obsessive about Sid).

[Guest micah]

Tell that to Ryan Malone and Zdeno Chara.

They know it.

I love the "age=skill" argument. His age doesn't make him better than Datsyuk. It makes him a better asset for a long term contract. I'd take Ovechkin in a heartbeat on Zetterberg or Datsyuk's contract, but that is because Ovechkin is in his early twenties and has a huge amount of upside. For a one year contract I would keep Datsyuk.

Cool. I wouldn't.

Yeah, I suppose Datsyuk is too much of a girl to fight. Or maybe it is because the Wings like to keep their star players out of the box, and Datsyuk doesn't get pushed around enough for him to have to send a message.

Continue to think he is a little creampuff and can't hold his own on the ice. I'll be busy laughing as Datsyuk hits, dangles, and blows by his opposition.

Let me get this right - you think that Datsyuk probably could handle himself just fine in a scrap and isn't scared of anyone and that the only reason he hasn't yet is because there hasn't yet been a moment in a game in his carreer where his hockey skills were not so immediately important that he could get away with taking a 5 minute break to deffend himself or a teamate? Every great NHLer that I can think of has had at least a few fights under their belt at their time of retirement. Every single one. Dats probably won't (certainly not because he's coawardly, but probably because he's so badass that nobody is willing to go with him - right?)

Okay, maybe not Hasek, but he was a wuss too - probably a bigger one than Dats;)

I agree that keeping star players out of the box is good general practice - but no league superstars have been as reluctant to drop them as Pavel. If you think fighting is a part of the game (and the vast majority of players and fans do), then a person who will not fight cannot be called a complete player. I prefer complete players and I don't understand why some men simply refuse to be one, unless they are scared. What other possibilities are there? I suppose it's possible that Pavel just never happened to be on the ice when a cheapshot was taken against a teammate, or that he just never happened to be in a situation where a message needed to be sent. I suppose it's possible that Pavel's superstar hands are just too fragile (unlike Gretzky's, Mario's, Howe's, Ovy's or Crosby's) to handle the trauma that a fight might cause. Maybe he's not a chicken afterall. Maybe.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I don't mind them. Dude has a genuine, passionate love for the game.

[softshoes 83]

This basically boils down to your either a Barry Sanders kinda guy or a Terrell Owens kinda guy.

I lean more towards Barry but to each their own. There's something special to me about a guy who knows he's good w/o all the nonsense.

Oh and before it gets started I'm not comparing Ovie to Owens, the football analogy seemed to apply to me.

[egroen 384]

My bad, he does has done alot more hitting in recent years - but he hits like a girl. Ovy throws his body around, Dats is a creampuff. You know it's true.

You're still a Wings fan?

Ovechkin runs around half the time like a chicken with his head cut off, and would be a much better player if he focused a little more on positioning, take aways and defense -- instead of flying all over and losing his position to make a big hit.

Give Datsyuk Ovechkin's even strength minutes and power play minutes and Datsyuk would easily have a lot more points, while still playing Selke-worthy defense.

Datsyuk's hits are played to perfection. He rarely goes down in a heap with the player he nailed, but comes away with the puck. He broke Ryan Malone's nose and sent Chara flying into the boards - not because of his mass, but because his hits are unexpected and perfectly timed, which makes them terribly effective.

I am perfectly content if 100% of the rest of the NHL could beat him up, because Datsyuk wins games. Detroit destroys Washington in a 7 game series.

Yes, he is. Find me just one non-homer Wings fan who would not trade either Z or Dats for Ovy, if all three had identical contracts/cap hits.

I would not trade Datsyuk this year for Ovechkin. Ovechkin is simply younger with more years ahead of him, so of course he would be the logical choice for a long term contract at the same cap hit.

Marcel Dionne wasn't as good as Z or Dats either

Marcel Dionne was an absolute playoffs disaster.

Yes, he is. Tapping a guy with your gloved hand is not "standing up to him". Had dats thrown off his sissy-shield, dropped his gloves and siad "okay old man, let's do this", that would have impressed me. Scrumming is sissy garbage that proves absolutely nothing. If they fought a fair fight, Gary Roberts would mop the ice with Pavel, 10 times out of 10. they never will. One of them fights a few times a year and is pretty good at it, the other has never been in a single fight. Gretzky was not too precious and dainty to scrap once in a great while, Lemieux certainly wasn't, Howe wasn't (though he didn't fight even as much as Mario did), the Rocket wasn't, Bobby Orr wasn't. It's probably just because the whole league is scared of toughguy Pavel and nobody will fight him though, right?

I'm not even sure what your point is. Who wants Datsyuk off the ice for 5 minutes and who wants him to risk an injury against a 4th liner? Blithering idiots? Do they even want that?

Would you prefer we swap Lidstrom for Phaneuf this year?

Edited February 24, 2009 by egroen

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

The only problem I have is the obvious double-standard that exists between him and Crosby.

If Crosby jumped around after a goal like that, he'd be blasted for being a hot dog before he even got back to the bench.

Wasn't there a recent highlight of a Crosby goal where he tried to do a "Lambeau Leap" into the side glass? And it was, by industry standards, a sad effort.

[crabcakes'n'redwings 4]

He treats every goal like an 8 year old that just scored the game winning goal...and that is a problem?

he has FUN out there...so what if he isnt Barry Sanders...

Living in MD, ive been to my fair share of caps games and everytime he TOUCHES the puck the crowd holds its breath. He sells tickets and puts butts in the seats...isn't that exactly what the NHL needs these days?...

[Guest micah]

and please just tell me how much better Ovechkin would fair if he stood toe to toe with Gary Roberts in a real fist-a-cano? The point there is Pav does not allow players to take liberties with him and skate away with his tail between his legs. Like you seem to be insinuating.

I don't klnow - but with Ovy, there's a chance that someday we'd find out the answer. Pavs? Not so much. for whatever reason, whether it's because he's scared or whether it's because he thinks he's too important to the outcome of every single game he's played in, he just won't fight. Assuming Ovy plays another 8 years, I predict he retires with 5-10 fighting majors. I predict Pavel retires with zero.

Now lets cover the comparing of superstars of the past. I simply said if you want me to consider Ovechkin better than Pav or Z, then he has to cut the bullcrap and lead his team to the Cup. How much consideration did Steve Yzerman get in this league UNTIL he re-vamped his game and became argueably the best Captain in all of Sports.

Consideration for what? He wasn't the best player in the game as a youngster, he was in a league with a prime Lemieux and a prime Gretzky. He was still a good player, but nobody in their right mind would have called him the best player in the league when he was Ovy's age.

He became more team oriented, redefined his defensive game and viola, led his team to three Cups in six years.

Viola? The change in his playing style is not what won our cups - the change in teamates did. Paul Yserbeart and Greg Steffan and Zombo and Bridgeman were not being held back from winning the Cup because of Yzerman's incomplete play - they were held back by the fact that the team they were playing on was one of the worst (sometimes the worst) in the league. Theree is nothing that any incarnation of Steve Yzerman could have done to make those teams win.

GRETZKY? GRETZKY? I challenge you right now to find even ONE, ONE Gretzky fight where he even remotely fought back as much as Pavel did against Roberts.

Gretzky on occasion showed up. He removed his gloves. He fought. Not well, that doesn't matter to me. He did it. Pavel never did. Not once.

Oh, if you consider the draft positions of Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin and Datsyuk(1st overall, 1st overall and 2nd overall compared to 171st overall) and their point totals this year being #1 through #4 respetively, I think your argument ends there.

Why would I consider draft position in a "who is the better player?" discussion?

I suppose you also think that Eric Lindros was a better ALL Around player than Sergei Fedorov was too?

I think that Fedorov was at times as good as any player I have ever seen. You will not see me bash Feds' skill. Sorry. He fought a few times too:)

Which BTW (to micah) I think Dionne would trade ALL his hardware in for just one drink out of Lord Stanley.

Maybe he would - but I'm not sure I understand the point you're trying to make? Winning Stanley Cups is awesome, I don't know who ever said otherwise. It is possible to be a great player and a great leader and never win a Cup. sometimes it happens, through no fault of the player. It is also quite possible to be a rather average player and win a handful. Happens.

do you think Nick Lidstrom would trade away his 6 Norris trophies for 6 Stanley Cups? Indvidual awards are great, but in the end, how many Cups do you own? Gretzky, Lemeiux, Howe, Rocket, Orr, Yzerman they all have Cups, Pavel has Cups, Ovechkin? ZERO... Ovechkin, Crsoby, Malkin, you guys can have the Hart every year, so long as Pavel keeps leading his team to Cups, I'm happy without having ANY Hart's...

Pavel has 2 cups, one of which he got simply by being on a team that happened to win it. He did very little to contribute to the '02 cup. For last year's Cup, he an important part of the Wings and (finally!) produced in the postseason. Hopefully for Ovy, he will have that same success by the time he's 30 like Pavel. He just might.

I don't have "man love" for Ovechkin, he' snot my favorite player by any stretch - but he is the best player in the NHL today. Pavel isn't. He is also likely to get even better in coming years. Pavel isn't.

[Guest micah]

I'm not even sure what your point is. Who wants Datsyuk off the ice for 5 minutes and who wants him to risk an injury against a 4th liner? Blithering idiots? Do they even want that?

Willingness is important to me. I value friendship, I value temmates and I value family. I do not care for men who are consistantly unwilling to go into harm's way for their friend's, teammates or family. I said earlier that I do not expect skilled players to scrap all the time, that a guy like Pavel usually should not be taking 5 minute penalties - but there are times when doing so is justified.

Would you prefer we swap Lidstrom for Phaneuf this year?

Nope.

[softshoes 83]

He treats every goal like an 8 year old that just scored the game winning goal...and that is a problem?

he has FUN out there...so what if he isnt Barry Sanders...

Living in MD, ive been to my fair share of caps games and everytime he TOUCHES the puck the crowd holds its breath. He sells tickets and puts butts in the seats...isn't that exactly what the NHL needs these days?...

I never compared him to Sanders. I compared Sanders to Owens. Obviously your a guy who enjoys excessive celebration so go HOLD your breath at a Caps game. By the way, I held my breath every time Barry got the ball so I guess the way they acted after the fact has no bearing on breathing habits.

[Vladifan 680]

He celebrates just his much when his teammates score. It's not an dick move, he just gets really excited.

This is good to know because I haven't watched them/him enough to know he's just as happy when his teamates score.

One of the reasons I don't watch much pro football anymore is because of the showboating and what I consider near-taunting that some of the receivers do. To me, it's almost as if they're not only saying "Look at me!", they're also acting like they did it all on their own. No way, no how, NADA. And that's usually the case in hockey too. Few goal scorers get unassisted goals.

[egroen 384]

Willingness is important to me. I value friendship, I value temmates and I value family. I do not care for men who are consistantly unwilling to go into harm's way for their friend's, teammates or family. I said earlier that I do not expect skilled players to scrap all the time, that a guy like Pavel usually should not be taking 5 minute penalties - but there are times when doing so is justified.

You are aware this is a sport, right?

I am sure if someone legitimately threatened his wife or daughter, or even close friend, Dasyuk would be willing to fight. Outside of those cisrcumstances, I fail to see when fighting is a necessity.

Why on earth should he go out of his way to get his ass kicked on the ice? Do you really think he has a single teamate or coach who questions his leadership, determination and guts simply because he has never received a fighting major?