It almost seems offensively audacious: to think out loud of the Capitals’ first line in quasi-historical contexts. As in: could it ripen into a best-ever unit — not best-ever merely in Washington hockey history but in league history — and perhaps sooner rather than later?
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin was formed little more than a month ago, during training camp. And yet the line already has puckheads all across the continent heaping high praise on it, many ranking it among the most lethal and dangerous in the league. It also has this blogger wondering, given its infancy, and given its gaudy assembly of skill, if the unit isn’t on track toward all-time-best designation.
Today, in the vein of history, the line must be assessed with a very forward-looking eye. And yet . . . don’t we already know that Ovi ranks among the greatest talents ever at left wing? Isn’t Nicklas Backstrom an All-Star caliber playmaking pivot thought to rank among the very best under-25 centers in the league today? And haven’t those two already developed notable and elite success together? And isn’t Semin’s skill-set almost without rival anywhere in the league?
The line skated together some last season, but often Bruce Boudreau tried to keep his high-scoring Russian wingers on separate lines, making his attack more difficult to defend. But the offseason acquisition of both Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison, joining an emerging star talent in Brooks Laich to form an imposing second line, has allowed Boudreau this season to seriously gang up on the league with his very first shift.
No small contributing factor in the buzz this line has quickly generated is the fact that in its first week of play together the shutdown likes of Zdeno Chara, Kimmo Timonen, and Chris Pronger have pretty much been shredded to pieces from their shifts against Washington’s first unit. What’s in store when the doormat defensive corps lace ‘em up and try and defend, the thinking goes?
These three together are very feared today, they are very young, and potentially they could skate together in D.C. a very long time and put up positively obscene numbers together. So why not entertain this very fun line of discussion?
We’re only a week into the new NHL season, but the collective performance by the Capitals’ first line has been so mesmerizing, so dominant, and so dazzling that statisticians are scrambling to enlargen spreadsheets to keep tally of their tallies. I think it’s a terribly fun exercise to speculate where they might head in a historic realm. Kept intact for say the next five seasons, for instance, just how might the Caps’ first line stack up in a comparative sense against say Buffalo’s vaunted French Connection line of the early 1970s? Or the Triple Crown line in Los Angeles of the early 1980s?
Another fun and interesting question: prior to Ovi, Backstrom, and Semin, what line would you identify as ranking as the greatest in Caps’ history?
Also: great three-man units tend to acquire catchy nicknames. Can you think of one for Washington’s new Trio of Terror?
The all-time greatness of any forward line is dependent to no small degree upon a unit’s staying power, and so the Caps’ first line today has years of skating to carry off together in its candidacy for greatest ever. And two key components of the unit need new contracts for next season — no small feat in light of the respective numbers Backstrom and Semin are likely to bring to the negotiating table. It’s a terribly sobering thought: the Caps well may not be able to afford a $25 million first line; no other NHL team has.
Another factor to consider: in earlier eras, successful forward units were often kept intact game after game, month after month — certainly far more commonly than are today’s units. Assuming Capitals’ management manages to resign everyone and keep them together, while we know all three of these young guns are going to put up hundreds and hundreds of points individually over the next decade, they won’t all necessarily be accrued while skating together. But given the conspicuous chemistry and success of the Caps’ first line early this season, it’s hard to imagine Bruce Boudreau breaking them up for long any time soon.
The Special Forces-like assault by Ovi-Backstrom-Semin early in 2009-10 led me to research other other-worldly lines in NHL history. Ability seems no impediment to these Capitals’ potential claim, one day, upon history. They just need time and a couple of budget-accommodating contracts.
The Production Line (Howe, Abel, Lindsay), 1947-52. Long considered to be the most productive line in NHL history. Sid Abel was an aging and slow skater when this line was formed, and so Howe and Lindsay perfected the art of the set play, angling dump-ins from the red line, chasing them down, and feeding Abel in the slot. One feat of this line that will be most difficult for the Caps’ (or any other) first line to match: finishing 1-2-3 in league scoring as Gordie and his linemates did in 1950.
The French Connection (Rene Robert, Rick Martin, Gilbert Perreault), 1972-79. Intact for fully seven seasons — a durability few other prominent lines can match in NHL history. The formation of this line was somewhat miraculous in its timing: Perreault’s draft year of 1970 was the first in NHL history that the Montreal Canadiens didn’t have rights to amateur Quebec talent, and the expansion Sabres were able to select Perreault first overall. All three possessed lethal shots, and Robert and Perreault in particular were renowed for their blinding speed and world-class skating.
The Triple Crown Line (Charlie Simmer, Marcel Dionne, Dave Taylor), 1979-84. Another durable unit that partnered for six seasons and became the first in NHL history to see all three skaters score 100 points in the same season. As prolific as this line was, it’s generally downgraded in prestige owing to LA’s perennial struggles in the standings.
The Trio Grande Line (Clark Gillies, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy), 1977-84. The dynastic New York Islanders of the early 1980s were most identified by this long-lasting line, which perhaps blended the best array of skill and grit the league has ever seen. A highly credible case can be made for Trottier’s being the best two-way center of all time. Mike Bossy was the protypical French-Canadian sniper wing, and Gillies the big-bodied but soft-handed space-maker.
Here’s something you might find most interesting: perhaps hockey’s two greatest talents, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, aren’t affiliated with durable, dominant lines despite both enjoying long and astoundingly productive careers. In Edmonton and LA, Gretzky had Jari Kurri on his right and a host of talented (or protector) players flanking his left. Lemieux was part of perhaps the most prolific scoring line in NHL history — the 365 points he and linemates Kevin Stevens and Jaromir Jagr tallied in 1992. But that line didn’t play together long, nor did another outstanding trio of the 1990s in Steel City: Lemieux, Ron Francis, and Jagr. And there have been plenty more extraordinary two-man units who’ve wrought havoc upon the league, compiling Hall of Fame numbers together (Brett Hull and Adam Oates, for instance). The full and great and lasting three-man unit is a special and most select shift in hockey’s culture. Washington just may be seeing the dawning of another.
Three hundred and sixty five points. Think the first unit in D.C. can top that? Funny I ask — they’re on pace to.
20 Comments
I think you are overlooking the most obvious comparison: the Montreal line of Lemaire-Lafleur-Shutt of the mid 70s.
I look at Backstrom distributing the puck a la Lemaire; Ovechkin the multi-dimensional threat like Lafleur (although I think Guy threw 4 bodychecks in his career) and Semin the quick-release sniper that Shutt was in his prime.
If anything I think the Caps line might be a bit better, but it’s awfully hard to argue against a line that led the Habs to 60 wins (no overtime, kids) in 1977.
I think you are overlooking the most obvious comparison: the Montreal line of Lemaire-Lafleur-Shutt of the mid 70s.
I look at Backstrom distributing the puck a la Lemaire; Ovechkin the multi-dimensional threat like Lafleur (although I think Guy threw 4 bodychecks in his career) and Semin the quick-release sniper that Shutt was in his prime.
If anything I think the Caps line might be a bit better, but it’s awfully hard to argue against a line that led the Habs to 60 wins (no overtime, kids) in 1977.
Paul,
That Habs’ line was unbelievable, and believe it or not, I actually had an opportunity to watch it skate circles around the down-start Caps at the old barn in Landover one winter weeknight a few years back. No slight intended; my essay was running long, and I wanted to try and bring it to closure, but that Hall of Fame threesome of the Habs absolutely belongs in any Top 5 list.
I enjoyed your astute comparison with the Caps’ young gunners. Imagine if you’re correct!
Pucksandbooks, you awesome writer you, I always enjoy reading your articles…
Just wanted to say…I think the Japerites already have a nickname: the SOB line?
Sadly, lines dont stay together anymore, and thus dont get names. Aside from the “Crazy 8′s” 8-88-18 Flyers line of Lindros/Recchi/Somebody, which later became the Legion of Doom, can you recall any line name that became well known in the last 20 years?
My fav name, that never caught on, was the Canucks recent line for a year of Sedin/Sedin/A. Carter. The people in Vancouver, including TV crew, called them the “3 Brothers Line” Hilarious!
Actually, Trio of Terror sounds pretty good!
I would call them The Red Menace
they already have a line….
the care bear line.
because they are sooooo cute
How about the SOB line….as in “Son of a B!#ch what will they do next”?
“Three hundred and sixty five points. Think the first unit in D.C. can top that? Funny I ask — they’re on pace to.”
If you cherry pick each guy’s best season and add them together, you’re at 279. So for them to get to 366 would represent an increase of 31% over the sum of each player’s best individual season.
It’d also mean something like 130 for Ovechkin and 118 each for Semin and Backstrom, giving them each in one season point totals that have only occurred five times in the last ten years.
We’re talking about something so improbable it’s practically impossible, no matter what pace they’re on ~3.5% of the way through the season.
unfortunately, like you pointed out, this line may not stay together after this season. i hope like hell they do, but i’m afraid the capitals just won’t be able to afford all three of them. two out of three ain’t bad, but the chemistry these guys have together is unbelievable.
I’m one for the nickname ‘SOB’ – it’s what all the opposing benches mutter when they hit the ice..
I’m on the fence about the possibility of losing one of these guys. It’s without question a money issue, but unlike other situations, this line has something else – something more. Example, look at Detriot. Players resign there with a ‘hometown’ discount, knowing what an amazing team they are on with a very strong tie to teammates. I believe the SOB line and some of the other Capitals have this ‘brotherhood’ and may be willing to sacrifice a little ‘green’ to continue being a part of that.
Truth of the matter is, there are going to be players we’ll lose and it’s going to be hard to see ‘em go. But Hershey’s loaded, these kids have to come up for experience in the next couple years and to be led by the SOB line will show not only great skill but what keeping these kinds of players together.
I dig the “Red Menace” title. My suggestion would be “Capital Punishment”.
I like SOBs…kind of has that Inglorious Basterds vibe to it.
Not that it couldn’t be used for the Caps, but “Capital Punishment” was the name of the Charles Mann-led ’91 Skins Defense.
How about the BOSs line because they take charge and lead the way on the ice?
Meanwhile, I am looking forward to voicing the hockey reality show “SKATE Plus 8″ starring Ovie:)
Go Caps!
- Ralph Hass
MSG-TV imaging voice of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres
from 2006-2009
What about the “NoS Line”, since they are Fast and Furious?
The forwards from the Detroit Red Wings’ Russian Five, particularly in 1995-96…SCARY GOOD.
Fedorov (107 points), Kozlov (73), Larionov (71).
Isn’t it a wonderful world where we can throw around nicknames like Red Menace without the threat of being called a dirty Commie, and without conjuring up thoughts of the Evil Empire and nuclear annihilation?
I don’t think money will be an issue and I think the Nylander situation ties directly to this – indulge me for a second. In order to trade Nylander most teams are probably going to look to match salaries in order to keep under the cap. If I’m the GM, I don’t make that deal because I want all of Nyls money gone after this season – I think his NMC is gone. If we take his $3m due next year and $4.5m from JT’s departure then that $7.5m can be used straight up to resign Nicky and Semin without affecting the current roster numbers – there might even be some left over for Steckel. A trade makes little sense at this point. His style doesn’t fit this team and eating the money – in order to sign 28 and 19 after the season – is cool enough by me. We have loads of defensemen who are getting better (ooops, in Philly) and I think this team can win the East as is.
I’m digging ‘Red Menace’ as well.
I call them the OBS line (which is what the site “Fear the Weagle” had dubbed them last year. I admit I’m partial to that name since I work with an office whose code is OBS.
But is this article a jinx since the Caps have stunk up the joint lately? (The OBS gang are about the only ones who played half decent today.)
We’ve had NO (yes, zero, nada, zippo) scoring outside of out first two lines (OBS and KLM).
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