NO DOUBT, a banner of number 8 will hang from the rafters in Verizon Center one day !
The two best parts of his game have always been his shot and the physicality he brings in every game.
I have really enjoyed watching OVI the last decade but I feel that it’s time for a change in leadership.
I don’t question his desire and effort to want to win but from what I’ve seen he gives 100% effort trying to score goals and making big hits but < 100% effort on back checking (it used to be worse under Boudreau).
The first game 7 goal could have been prevented (IMO) from better back checking from OVI. Niskanen did his best to chip the puck out to OVI (this wasn’t an easy puck for OVI to handle to clear the zone), but OVI’s half-assed effort picking up RUST after the failed clear attempt is unacceptable for a CAPTAIN (IT IS A GAME 7 PLAYOFF GAME DAMN IT !).
Other players notice this!
Hypothetical: If OVI got back like he should have and popped RUST’s stick then the goal would of never happened, and the players on the bench would have seen the great play OVI made on the back check, got excited, scored the next goal, and advanced on to play Ottawa.
The only change left would be to hire a CUP winning coach ? (I think Keith Jones mentioned this).
Nobody wants to see OVI stripped of the “C†but something needs to change !
Maybe trade him to VEGAS so McPhee can take the last 4 years of the super long contract that he originally gave OVI ?
For the upcoming roster I would start with Orlov, Schmidt, Burakovsky, Kuzy, Backstrom, Wilson (I see some skill here but Trotz had him running around like a wild donkey most of the time), and Oshie - “Câ€.
HOCKEY is a TEAM game. It’s not about any 1 player. This isn’t the NBA. It’s time for change. It won’t happen but trade OVI, hire a new coach, and SHAKE IT UP. Do fans want a President Trophy winner or a CUP winner ?