BTCG
Registered User
- Jun 16, 2006
- 2,313
- 1
Agreed about Ovechkin's unwillingness to back check, but disagree on the bolded and it being about leadership.
Ovechkin has never been a beast at back-checking. He times most of his hits well, but he has rarely shown the ability to read the opponent's offensive play and intercept a pass to take up ice or place a well-timed stick lift/poke check. At this point in his career/life, IMO, he's been indoctrinated with such an offense first attitude that it's unlikely he will ever be able to learn to think differently.
That isn't necessarily entirely a bad thing, assuming he is able to produce offensively when it counts. This year, he didn't in the playoffs (but did in the regular season).
As far as leadership goes.. sure, making solid defensive plays in your own zone may inspire your team some intangible amount, but if Ovechkin is scoring goals/setting up successful plays, he's already done his job. It's clearly arguable based on the team's record when he scores a goal versus when he does not. Maybe the team loses some confidence in him when he fails to backcheck, but it's all negated when he produces offensively as he's paid top-dollar to do.
Points to you for the underlined portion. You are spot-on.
As to D and leadership, what you've actually succeeded in doing is explaining why AO ought NOT be wearing the C.