smokingwriter
Registered User
- Apr 21, 2018
- 128
- 58
I consider Ovechkin the 2nd-best LW of all-time, just behind Hull (who mostly gets the nod since he was somewhat better away from the puck, and was much better in international competition than Ovechkin has ever been, while being a comparable gunner). But just posting up and blasting away doesn't seem the optimal strategy for helping your club win - neither does throwing out the occasional big hit that takes you well out of position. He's just never been able to integrate his individual game into a team game. You have to let your great stars do what they do best, but Ovi plays a pretty static, predictable game and there's not much else on offer when he isn't scoring goals.Ovechkin makes his teammates have assists.
You never saw him, and you never will see him, remodel (or try to remodel) his game the way Crosby did. Don't think that example doesn't have an impact upon teammates. I am no Pittsburgh fan, but the players in that room watched Crosby come back from multiple concussions (and a neck fracture) that would have ended the careers of numerous other players. They've seen him take hits to make plays, and sacrifice personal stats to help the team win. I'm not sure that Ovi (who could be a great guy for all I know) has ever been held in the same esteem by his teammates, or been the same leader.