The Next Question

So we know at least four Senators (ahem) will be there. And we know Dion Phaneuf will be there.

And we know Sidney Crosby won't be there.

So what about Alexander (The Great) Ovechkin? Will the Washington "superstar" be among the next group of 36 veterans named on Thursday to play in this month's all-star game in Ottawa?

Great question. No easy answer.

If the game, as Sens fans apparently believe, is all about what the fans want and has nothing whatsoever to do with stats or actual all-star quality, then surely Ovechkin is one of the most prominent players in hockey and should be there.

He's not as charismatic, mind you, as he once was, and it's doubtful he'll lead the league in fun and smiles as he did when the all-star game was held in Montreal.

But he's one of the game's most recognizeable faces, and certainly he's on the marquee whenever he's in the game. NBC has already announced that Pittsburgh and Washington will be its first regular season contest of the season later this month, in no small measure to the fact Ovechkin is still a very watchable player.

Leaf fans, of course, watched him gently torture Phil Kessel in the player draft a year ago, and would like to see Ovechkin sit around in Ottawa to wait and be picked this year.

But does he deserve an invitation for his actual play?

That's where the debate gets interesting.

After recently scoring seven goals in seven games, the GR8 went scoreless in California, minus-4 in two games against San Jose and Los Angeles as the Caps' road woes continued. He's 39th in NHL scoring with 17 goals and 16 assists, and after a down season last year will need to really kick it into gear just to match the 85 points he registered in Bruce Boudreau's last full year.

So this isn't an off-year for Ovechkin. This is a step back statistically from the off-year he had last year. That said, opponents still seem to accord him the same level of respect.

"The media and fans always look at goals and assists," Sharks defenceman Dan Boyle told the San Jose Mercury News. "But players know that sometimes someone can dominate on the ice and have nothing to show for it. He could come in here with five points, and I wouldn't treat him any different than if he had 45. I just know how he plays."

Under new head coach Dale Hunter, Ovechkin has been slightly more productive (9 goals, 7 assists, minus-1) in 18 games than he was in the first 22 games of the season under Boudreau (8 goals, 9 assists, minus-7), although still nowhere near as prolific where he once was. As a team, however, the Caps have been slightly less successful under Hunter (9-8-1) than they were under Boudreau (12-9-1) and currently sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.

Hunter played Ovechkin 22:27 in the loss to the Kings on Monday night, the second most ice time he's given the winger since arriving. The Caps went back to their old ways in California, giving up 10 goals combined to the Sharks and Kings after seeing their goals-against numbers reduced sharply under Hunter. As a team, Washington is nowhere near the offensive force it once was, with eight NHL clubs having scored more goals this season than the D.C. bunch.

So it's an interesting debate. Is Ovechkin getting back to the level that once made him the world's best player prior to the Vancouver Olympics? Or is he permanently stalled and unlikely to be that explosive scorer again?

And, of course, is he an all-star? 

The answer right now probably is no to being a bona fide all-star, but most would want to see him in the all-star contest in Ottawa. It'd be a big surprise if he wasn't.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Larry Rainey]

Interesting the Ovie's play has not been the same since the Vancouver Olympics, especially if it's a result of he and the Russians being run out of the rink by the "gorillas roaring out of their cage" Team Canada on that fateful evening!

[Steve C.]

Once again Damien you seem to not understand that it (hockey/sports) IS ALL about the FANS (though not one city's fans - ottawa! - when it comes to an all-star game). What a joke it would be if Ovie wasn't there. If it were left to simple math - as you seem to suggest - Radim Vrbata should be there instead. Yeah, that'd be a good call.

[Geoff Read]

Remember those insinuations that Ovechkin was taking steroids? Didn't those come out just about the time his production started to tail off? Just sayin'.

Having said that, I loved watching him play when he was at his peak a couple of years ago so I hope he regains that form. When he ran Jagr over at the Olympics it was a thing of beauty.

[Utah]

It's not just Ottawa fans that believe the all-star game is for the fans. The 'real' all-star teams are picked in June....by the NHL. The all-star game, and first and second all-star teams ( as named by the league ) have little in common.

The game is simply an event to highlight the NHL, and to let the players have some fun, while they mingle with the fans and suits.

So, all that said....of course Ovie should be there. He is one of the biggest 'stars' in the game.

[Observer]

Man, you really have it out for Ovechkin, don't you? I haven't seen you hate on any player more than you hate on Ovechkin. You do not need to be an Ovechkin hater to be a fan of Sidney Crosby.

[Jimmy]

Not even an actual question. Of course. Anyone who wouldnt rank Ovechkin in the top 5 players in the league is a moron.

[Andrew]

I pretty much agree with Cox here. With 39 other forwards ahead of him in scoring, hi stats don't guarantee him a spot. Backstrom is the must-have all-star on the Caps this year. But I would be shocked if the league doesn't include him, especially with Crosby out.

[Steve Mehlman]

Dan Boyle is right. If you watch Ovechkin play, he is still a dominating figure on the ice, not only with his shooting and passing, but also with his checking and all-around enormous energy. Yes, his scoring is down, in part because he is double or even triple teamed on every shift, but also because the Caps have changed from the run-and-gun system where Ovie scored almost at will to a much more defense-oriented system.

He's still among the most talented, entertaining players in hockey today. The NHL would be nuts to keep him off the All-Star team.

[TedNes]

Ya, brilliant question Damian.....only you would ask that.....he may not be leading in scoring, or even in the top 30, but I can guarantee you that he is still in the top 10 in jersey and merch sales across North America....

[Al]

No he does not.

[Terry]

DEPENDS ON WHAT KIND OF GAME YOU WANT TO WATCH. IF I'VE PAID FOR AN ALL-STAR GAME TICKET I WANT ENTERTAINMENT. THAT MEANS I WANT THE MOST EXCITING PLAYER IN THE GAME ON THE ICE.

[Lipton's Tea]

The anti-Ovechkin tone of the Star is becoming tiring.

He's a terrific player and a huge star.

Deal with it.

[art]

On one hand, I do not think Ovechkin has earned a spot for the all-star game. It would be a shame for him to take a spot from someone playing well.

On the other hand, this league thrives only if it has marketable stars. With Crosby out, and honestly maybe never the same player again, the league is in short supply of truly exciting stars (read: players who could potentially score 50 or more). If Ovechkin's play is suffering from a lack of confidence, selection to the all-star squad may be the booster shot he needs to return to form, which can only be good for the NHL.

[Chris Belanger]

Hopefully Ovechkin gets to watch the game from the comfort of his own home, on a nice recliner, and he gets someone to post a photo of himself drinking beer watching the game. That would be sweet.

[Basshat]

Watching the passive-aggressive Toronto media try to be snarky about four Senators being picked, while still pretending that Ottawa and the Sens are beneath their concern, has provided some pretty hilarious entertainment this week. FOUR players from OTTAWA in the ALL-STAR game! OMG, now the game has NO credibility WHATSOEVER...until Toronto fans do the same thing when they next host...but that's different, right?