Just speculation and a proposal guys, after watching Ovechkin tonight, although he got 1 goal on the PP he was pretty awful. It got me thinking if this guy is still untouchable. Then on the main board I read the Ovechkin trade value thread. Like I posted on the main board, he's still the face of that franchise and puts Caps fans in the rink. Basically untouchable. A coaching change or some major trades would happen before Ovy is moved. A lot of fans are proposing garbage for Ovechkin even though its true he's slumping and has an expensive lengthy contract. It got me thinking... He still is one of the most talented players in the world 27 years of age, and a change of scenery may get him going again.
Why does Washington do this? Simply because they are in last place right now 1-5-1 and have a shot to bomb for 1st OVERALL Seth Jones or Nathan MacKinnon. Ovechkin has the priciest contract in the league and his work ethic has been questionable when he is on cold streaks. This allows Washington to rebuild and have a scary future.
Why do the Leafs do this? This is Alexander Ovechkin folks. Alexander the Gr8. Won the Calder Trophy, 2 Hart Trophys, 2 Rocket Richard Trophys, and an Art Ross. In the highlight reels and the games we've seen him play, especially how he kills his slumps against us, we all know how dynamic he is! This guy has scored 50 goals or more 5 times. He would help put us in the playoffs and indeed make us a playoff team. Ovy has a nice resume, even with 59 points in 51 playoff games. Goaltending and D is still questionable but Ovy would make our forward crew set.
And don't forget folks Phil Kessel has play making skills with 45 assists last season which doesn't necessarily scream the usual sniper to me. He can make plays and Ovy can finish. If Kessel had amazing chemistry with Lupul, well why wouldn't Kessel have insane chemistry with Ovechkin? With this acquisition maybe a hot ticket item free agent of Getzlafs class may become interested in playing for the upcoming powerhouse. This move would help us get one step closer to a cup as contenders in 2-3 years if we find our number 1. Can Ovy handle the pressure in Toronto? Well if Kessel can handle Leaf fans under the scrutiny of the media, Ovechkin would do marvellous. He has seemed to strive under pressure and has shown up for big games. Even his career stats against Toronto are just solid, 42 points in 27 games including 23 goals. Ovechkin just strives under the spotlight. He would also make MLSE tonnes of money and would just kill jersey selling records.
This is my proposal for a major move. We are ready imo, to let go of some futures. With emerging Gardiner on the back end as our potential puck mover, we can afford to move 18 year old Rielly an intriguing top prospect who won't be ready for another year or 2. How many young offensive defenseman are in the top pairing around the age of 20 in the NHL right now? Gardiner when he was playing 20+ minutes last season as a rookie has shown his high hockey IQ with the brilliance of smooth skating.
This is quality and quantity together that helps solidify Washingtons prospect pool and puts their rebuild mode in full stride. Plus we take on Ovechkins cap hit of 9.5 million that Washington can save for investment. Biggs I believe would be a good piece with Tom Wilson also coming up for the Caps as tough power forwards. And Percy and our 1st round pick are other quality pieces. Don't forget Washington do have some pretty looking prospects in Filip Forsberg and Yevgeni Kuznetsov to add the equivalent of 4 1st rounders.
This is my proposal nonetheless, what do you guys think?
Morgan Rielly (5th overall 2012)
Tyler Biggs (22nd overall 2011)
Stuart Percy (25th overall 2011)
2013 1st round draft pick
Alex Ovechkin (1st overall 2004)
FORWARDS
Joffrey Lupul ($5.250m) / Tyler Bozak ($1.500m) / Phil Kessel ($5.400m)
Alex Ovechkin ($9.538m) / Mikail Grabovski ($5.500m) / Nikolai Kulemin ($2.800m)
James Van Riemsdyk ($4.250m) / Nazem Kadri ($0.851m) / Matt Frattin ($0.925m)
Leo Komarov ($1.200m) / Jay McClement ($1.500m) / Mike Brown ($0.737m)
Clarke MacArthur ($3.205m)
DEFENSEMEN
Mike Kostka ($0.600m) / Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m)
John-Michael Liles ($3.875m) / Carl Gunnarsson ($1.250m)
Cody Franson ($1.200m) / Jake Gardiner ($1.117m)
GOALTENDERS
James Riemer ($1.800m)
Ben Scrivens ($0.613m)
BUYOUTS
Darcy Tucker ($1.000m) / Colby Armstrong ($1.000m)