Comments on: Morning Cup-a-Joe (2/7/07)

By: pepper

pepper — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 01:31:22 +0000

I realize its a small slump and he’s young. For the same reasons he could act like an “idiot” over the slump, he could overreact by saying he wants out of DC. I’m hoping that’s not true and there’s no indication of it – it was just my gloom and doom mood after another loss perhaps.
On a brighter note, it appears that, after these last three games, we know that (i) the Caps offense is pretty formidable, at least having the potential to light the lamp 4+ times in a game, and (ii) the Caps can play shut-down smothering defense. What we haven’t seen is the two together. Its some small progress that we’re losing these games 2-0 and 3-2 SO rather than 7-1. (Then again isn’t that what we were saying last season at this time?)

By: Eric McErlain

Eric McErlain — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 23:53:52 +0000

To be fair, after initially ducking reporters, Ovechkin did come out to answer questions. Check both today’s edition of The Post and The Times for his comments.

By: TG

TG — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 23:08:23 +0000

pepper:
Or remember that he’s 21, this is the first time he’s gone through a “slump” like this and he’s acting out in frustration. How many players in the NHL would love to have a pointless streak of only three games? And I can remember what an idiot I was at 21 over things that, looking back, were really unimportant. I wouldn’t worry too much about his actions. Unless, of course, they continue for the rest of the season.

By: Meza

Meza — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 22:49:10 +0000

MSM is main stream media

By: pepper

pepper — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:58:49 +0000

I tend to think Ovechkin does need to get a playoff opportunity ASAP, but it probably isn’t the end of the world that its not going to happen in 07.
I’ll tell you what is though:
This is really the first sustained slump, and the first outward signs of frustration from Ovie regarding his play and the team’s outlook for the post-season. It will be very interesting to gauge his reaction in the coming months.
My fear is that he begins to wish that he played for a team with more immediate playoff potential, a storied history, stronger and less fickle fan support, and a brighter spotlight, the latter of which we already know he relishes. And then he makes it as difficult as possible for the Caps to re-sign him.
If Ovie leaves town as a free agent, restricted or not (and the price to sign him away may be palatable to more than a few teams), that, I think, would spell the end of NHL hockey in Washington.

By: P-Mac

P-Mac — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:27:00 +0000

Remind me again what “MSM” stands for?

By: Hockey Amor

Hockey Amor — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:50:42 +0000

You’re right: it’s OK for Alex not to be ready to lead us at this point in his career. You learn to win by taking some in the chops (like he so obviously did last night).