What would put Ovi in contention for a Selke?

[WingsMJN2965]

If it ain't broke...

 

[Sol]

What's his defensive analytics like for a winger

 

[Alwalys]

pretty impressive to turn a thread about Ovechkin into a point about how dominant your favourite player is

Actually it is a very applicable comparison that can't be made with many other players. When you have generational, Hall-of-Fame bound players that got that way primarily for one thing, even if they completely change their game, people still notice the thing that makes them special more than anything.

Thorton had several absolutely selke-caliber seasons, and he didn't even get a sniff. No way Ovechkin does either. He will always be viewed as the generational offensive player he has been to this point.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

Simple answer: he would need a +40 or +50 season on plus/minus (i know its not a good stat) ... but he would need that stat to be sparkling.

(that would get a conversation started)

Ovechkin was +45 in 2009-2010. No one ever mentioned him as a Selke contender. When he went -35 in 2013-2014, people ragged on him and called him the worst defensive player in the league. I'm not saying he wasn't bad defensively, but +/- is only used to knock players down for their defense by the media. It's a meaningless stat to begin with.

 

[Thrive]

Bergeron would have to go down to the court house and change his last name.

I don’t think the judges in Boston would allow such blasphemy.

 

[Deficient Mode]

What's his defensive analytics like for a winger

Some of the worst in the league. Bottom ten among all forwards in per minute expected goals against and scoring chances against. Bottom 50 in Corsi against per minute.

He's.... not good defensively. Weird thread.

 

[illpucks]

Some of the worst in the league. Bottom ten among all forwards in per minute expected goals against and scoring chances against. Bottom 50 in Corsi against per minute.

He's.... not good defensively. Weird thread.

You don't watch him play.
He's good defensively.

 

[Deficient Mode]

You don't watch him play.
He's good defensively.

Ahh yes, lots of hockey fans who (checks notes) aren't exposed to the Capitals.

 

[BalButtercluck]

I would say Bergeron, Kesler, Kopitar, Toews, Barkov, and the rest of the ridiculously talented defensively responsible centers would have to simultaneously retire at the same exact time, while the NHL unexpectedly changes the criteria of the Selke to "Best Defensive Winger", after which Ovechkin takes out the 20 or so wingers better than him defensively with a tire iron, mid-season, Nancy Kerrigan style.

 

[Kcb12345]

The best part about this thread is Ovechkin isn't even a top 20 winger defensively. Heck not even top 50 probably. If the Selke was often awarded to wingers, he would still never win it.

 

[Alwalys]

The selke also tends to go to guys who otherwise wouldn't be awarded other awards.

 

[illpucks]

The best part about this thread is Ovechkin isn't even a top 20 winger defensively. Heck not even top 50 probably. If the Selke was often awarded to wingers, he would still never win it.

He's top 20.

 

[Kcb12345]

He's top 20.

Defensively?

 

[illpucks]

Defensively?

In wingers, yes. When he is locked in on defense he's got skill

 

[Patriks7]

If a player like Hossa, who was known throughout most of his career as one of the best (if not the best) defensive winger in the league, managed to get into the top 10 for Selke only a total of 3 times, I don't think there is anything Ovi can realistically do to put himself in contention.