If Ovechkin belongs on the right side then why is he on the left side on the PP? I know this sounds like a simple question with an obvious answer, but think about what that answer implies: he is more dangerous from the left side.
The problem is, and has been, twofold when he's a LW:
1) He's most often the one entering the zone with the puck.
2) He tries the same 1 or 2 staple moves and defenses have adjusted.
So instead of throwing it all out and moving him to the other side, where he's obviously less effective as a shooter, why not fix those two things?
Solution: Better linemates and defensemen who can create a team rush/transition, and expand Ovechkin's options.
Ovie floats and cherrypicks and slacks on the backcheck for sure. He does it to try and head up ice quickly and get a scoring chance on the rush, obviously. Why? Because that's part of what he does and even if you score once out of every 3 or 4 rushes you're still scoring at a higher than average clip based on shot percentages. You want those rushes.
But his floating hampers the team defense based on system and roster as it stands, and makes it hard for the other forwards to join the rush if they're expected to be doing all the backchecking (which they don't always do, see #19 getting lazier).
How do you fix it?
It all starts with system and the defensemen. If you have strong d-men who don't need as much help from the forwards and a system that allows those forwards to play higher, then you don't always suffer when Ovechkin floats and the other forwards are more likely to join the rush or even lead it. The next step is go get at least one player on the top line with a similar style, speed, passing and finishing ability so he's not the only threat on the ice and has others who can jump into the rush.
That creates more options for Ovechkin which makes his left wing shot more valuable and useful, especially if he's receiving a pass instead of just trying his pet moves to get a shot off. Defenses also have to respect the pass more instead of just blocking his shot, which means more time and space.
So yes, TX, you can also blame McPhee. He hired the coaches that don't know how to use Ovechkin and who keep changing his role when it was never broken to begin with. GMGM lucked into a lottery pick that carries the team on his back year after year, and in the process for 15 years has failed to replenish a Cup Finals quality blueline he inherited. It's not a quick fix, but it's also part of the solution to fire his ass if he doesn't straighten all of this out (and he probably won't).
