MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted January 15, 2011 He's really down and out right now, I believe on pace to score just 28 goals. I guess you could pinpoint the Olympics as the point where his game started to slip a bit, but he's been completely different this year. Seems to be little worry about him bouncing back, but I never thought he'd ever struggle like this for so long. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted January 15, 2011 At least our Russian was earning his money Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,803 Report post Posted January 15, 2011 At this point, Stamkos and Crosby are both better pure goal scorers than him. That was supposed to be something Crosby would never have over Ovechkin, yet it has happened in the last few years. That whole team has slipped a little, but for a guy that plays with so much passion and takes so many shots, it's really surprising that he's had so few goals. 1 Rick D reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted January 15, 2011 At this point, Stamkos and Crosby are both better pure goal scorers than him. That was supposed to be something Crosby would never have over Ovechkin, yet it has happened in the last few years. That whole team has slipped a little, but for a guy that plays with so much passion and takes so many shots, it's really surprising that he's had so few goals. Its definitely surprising but I do think he will bounce back. He is one of, if not the, most talented hockey players in the world, but his drive and work ethic do not even come close when compared with Crosby and other players. He needs to stop expecting things and start working for them... and to WANT to work for them. I don't think Bruce is the right coach for him, and I could easily see him gone after this year if they disappoint in the playoffs again. And from the glimpses I saw of 24/7, Ovechkin seems like a pretty piss poor captain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brett 1,029 Report post Posted January 15, 2011 What i remember from 24/7 is that bruce was trying to work on his game and make him a better defensive player, i think he broke ovi that and the pressure to be captain might throw his game off Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canadian_Yzerman_Fan 7 Report post Posted January 15, 2011 It's just a matter of the team trying to change styles to something more suited to playoff hockey (defense first). The new system is really disrupting the offensive production of Ovy and Green. There's nothing wrong with them, they're just having a tougher time hitting the score sheet like they used to with these new defensive priorities in mind. So yes, a new coach would have a different style, and this would certainly change the way these guys produce offensively. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Broken 16 381 Report post Posted January 15, 2011 My first thought when reading the thread title was: "Hmmmm... probably means the Caps will be a better playoff team" 1 Joey v3.4 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted January 15, 2011 He also does the same move over and over again. Defensemen see through it now. Ovechkin is not a top3 forward, let alone player, this season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjm502 165 Report post Posted January 15, 2011 It's just a matter of the team trying to change styles to something more suited to playoff hockey (defense first). The new system is really disrupting the offensive production of Ovy and Green. There's nothing wrong with them, they're just having a tougher time hitting the score sheet like they used to with these new defensive priorities in mind. So yes, a new coach would have a different style, and this would certainly change the way these guys produce offensively. Put Datsyuk in the Caps old system and see how many points he puts up. I honestly believe Datsyuk and Crosby are the two most dominant players in the NHL. Not many others really come close. And this is not meant to stir up a Crosby debate, as much as we all hate him its a fact he is one of the best and deep down inside we all know its true. If Ovechkin can not produce in a system that puts an ounce of effort in to their defensive game it just shows that he does not stack up to Datsyuk and Crosby. 1 zata40 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canadian_Yzerman_Fan 7 Report post Posted January 15, 2011 Put Datsyuk in the Caps old system and see how many points he puts up. I honestly believe Datsyuk and Crosby are the two most dominant players in the NHL. Not many others really come close. And this is not meant to stir up a Crosby debate, as much as we all hate him its a fact he is one of the best and deep down inside we all know its true. If Ovechkin can not produce in a system that puts an ounce of effort in to their defensive game it just shows that he does not stack up to Datsyuk and Crosby. Agreed... Though I do really hate that whiney little punk! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsyukianDekes 2,428 Report post Posted January 15, 2011 oh.. guess hes a bargain now.. Hudler and Osgood for Ovechkin. kthx. He has one bad year and everyone is all over him, the whole team is struggling obviously something is either wrong with the system or the coach. Next year Ovechkin will score 50 goals again and this will all be forgot about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soultrain 43 Report post Posted January 16, 2011 oh.. guess hes a bargain now.. Hudler and Osgood for Ovechkin. kthx. He has one bad year and everyone is all over him, the whole team is struggling obviously something is either wrong with the system or the coach. Next year Ovechkin will score 50 goals again and this will all be forgot about. i think your statement will prove to be true. but I just love to see ovie and the caps team struggle because i like to shove it down my friends throat. He all of a sudden in the last 3 years has been a "huge" caps fan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheOwl 77 Report post Posted January 16, 2011 Ovechkin is done for this year I think. He might hit 35 goals, but even he'll be disappointed with that. He's been figured out, he can't get open, everyone knows hes going to shoot. He always shoots. He'll come back next year with 50 goals. But in general, the Capitals suck. That Fleishmann trade was a bad idea! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joey v3.4 45 Report post Posted January 16, 2011 He also does the same move over and over again. Defensemen see through it now. Ovechkin is not a top3 forward, let alone player, this season. Still tied for 11th in points, and considering there are 90 top 3 forwards in the league, I would say while he's not a top 3 player this season, to say he's not a top 3 forward is still pretty ridiculous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buppy 1,720 Report post Posted January 16, 2011 Still tied for 11th in points, and considering there are 90 top 3 forwards in the league, I would say while he's not a top 3 player this season, to say he's not a top 3 forward is still pretty ridiculous. I'm pretty sure he meant top 3 forwards, overall... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted January 16, 2011 The Caps are still supposed to lose in the finals this year though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mjtm77 Report post Posted January 17, 2011 The Caps are still supposed to lose in the finals this year though. that would be really creepy if that happened Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shaman 713 Report post Posted January 17, 2011 Ovie will be back, hes too good not to be able to bounce back, I am sure next season he will have a great season and every NHL talking head will claim they called it first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted January 17, 2011 I haven't seen much of the Caps play this season, but it sounds like it's more a team struggling than it is some new commitment to defense. As for Ovie, you can bet he'll be back. I wouldn't say the same for Boudreau though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted January 17, 2011 I haven't seen much of the Caps play this season, but it sounds like it's more a team struggling than it is some new commitment to defense. As for Ovie, you can bet he'll be back. I wouldn't say the same for Boudreau though. This. And Ovie will certainly bounce back, maybe even this season - all it takes is a month-long hot streak and he'll be challenging at the top again. He would have to go on one hell of a spree to come first but at least he might get "respectable" numbers. On the other hand, he might want to save it for the play-offs... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puffy 97 Report post Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) The guy still has 45 points in 46 games. If he can produce at a point per game pace during a "bad season" that's pretty damn good in my opinion. Most players who develop "Lazy Russian Syndrome" just roll over and die, but to his credit it's not THAT bad! Edited January 18, 2011 by puffy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buppy 1,720 Report post Posted January 18, 2011 I think Ovechkin and Kovalchuk got together at the WCs and decided that both of them having sub-30 goal seasons would be a hilarious practical joke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clutchngrab 12 Report post Posted January 19, 2011 I blame Scotty - he set the bar for turning great offensive players into plumbers just for some stupid ring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
