What's Wrong With Alex Ovechkin?

[caps87]

Long, but good read

Back in November when the Washington hockey season was still young and held so much promise, the Capitals’ superstar left wing met with reporters in Toronto. The question was asked politely then and it’s been posed with a greater sense of urgency many times since: What’s wrong with Alex Ovechkin?  “Everything’s okay with Alex Ovechkin,” the five-time all-star said. “Yeah.” There was a follow-up: Is it hard being Alex Ovechkin sometimes? “Actually, it’s fun,” he said. “It’s great to be Alex Ovechkin.”

What followed in the ensuing three months has been rarely characterized as fun or great — not for Ovechkin, the Capitals or their fans. The Ovechkin who will take the ice for the Capitals’ final 14 regular season games is markedly different from the Ovechkin who won two MVP awards and carried Washington into the postseason four times, reviving the sport in the nation’s capital and inspiring 140 consecutive home sellouts.

He came here as a 19-year-old who spoke little English but was more than fluent in hockey, capturing the imagination of the hockey world and the hearts of Washington. His rise to the top of the NHL was a fast one, and his stumble back to earth a curious one.

Not only are the Capitals teetering on the edge of the playoff race, but the 26-year old Ovechkin is suffering through the worst statistical season of his career. In 2009, he signed the richest contract in NHL history, and he’s slated to earn $9 million this season. He enters the season’s final four weeks tied for 51st in the league in points and tied for 19th in goals. A player who four times topped 100 points in his career and scored 65 goals just four seasons ago is on pace to finish the season with 62 points and 33 goals.

What fans see on the ice these days is a far cry from the player who wowed the hockey establishment not long ago. Interviews with nearly two dozen people around the Capitals organization and around the NHL — some of whom insisted on anonymity so they could speak candidly — reveal a portrait of a puck protagonist seemingly stripped from Russian literature: misunderstood, at times brooding, downcast and withdrawn — yet a player who most believe is still filled with talent, potential and an infectious personality.

The explanations vary and the probing spotlight shifts from the rotating cast of his inner circle to his waning confidence, his work ethic, and strategy adjustments from opposing coaches.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports...T2R_story.html

[ovechkinFTW]

Originally Posted by caps87

Long, but good read



http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports...T2R_story.html

Ovechkin is an overpaid, over hyped bum. It would be nice to see him go back to his own country.

[fcm]

What's Wrong With Alex Ovechkin?

[ARCTICCAT24]

Who cares?

[Gunslinger]

Teams have figured out his game-plan which tended to be somewhat one dimensional. Unless he adds some new wrinkles to his game he could continue to struggle. Maybe a coach who knows how to use him and motivate him would also help. I don't think Hunter meets either of those criteria.

[puffed up]

There was a rumor that he showed up in camp at almost 250 pounds!!

[illukka]

Originally Posted by puffed up

There was a rumor that he showed up in camp at almost 250 pounds!!

i think i saw some pics. definitely too much time spent on the beach& bar and not enough time spent in the gym & rink

[fcm]

Originally Posted by illukka

i think i saw some pics. definitely too much time spent on the beach& bar and not enough time spent in the gym & rink

[Ciccarelli]

Just an example of a super-skilled player that takes it to easy and thinks skill and talent alone will keep him the superstar he can be, along with all the money he gets it's understandable that he doesn't have that drive and desire anymore he had when he came into the league.

Unfortunally probably the Stanley Cup isn't the ultimate desire of a russian player. So he enjoys life too much and his dedication to get better is probably gone.

But who knows, I expect him to come back later or sooner, if not we'll soon here about him wanting a change of scenery.

[Big Violence]

He's a lazy bum that parties too much. Instead of working on his game during the all star break when he backed out he went to the beach. Now that he's rich he could give a crap less about anything else.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

He's too focused on his rap career.

[ovechkinFTW]

He set the bar low. I'm guessing his dream was to score a juicy contract and somehow, though being a lazy c*nt, become the greatest hockey player ever.

[brymaster1]

I don't think he's over hyped, when you look at his previous years they speak for them self. I think once he got his huge contract he has been getting gradually lazier and lazier. If he ever wanted to get back to his former self I think he would just have to get back to less partying and more at the gym/rink.

[Killah_punk]

So new season and new coach for Ovechkin and the results have been less than stellar. In 15 games so far he's only scored 10 points and is 4th on the Caps in points and 91st in league scoring.

[FistofFury]

Vancouver and Washington should seriously think about swapping Ovechkin and Luongo. I think that Ovechkin would do better in a bigger hockey market and Luongo would benefit from a non-hockey market and some big defensemen to protect him.