Speculation: Acq./Rost. Bldg./Cap/Lines etc. Part LXXXIV -- The Doggiest Days (Woof!) 2017
- Thread starter Calicaps
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Sorry. No internets the last several days.
You said many in the lineup. Based on the projections people are posting, that would 2-3 forwards and 2 defensemen in the lineup that aren't established NHL talent. Unless you're using my wife's hyperbole talk, that's not "many". I also don't know how you can even classify many of the young guys as "fringe" yet, considering most haven't even seen significant NHL ice in their career. They might end up being fringe talent, but it's too soon to make that call. Look no further than the guys the Pens iced that had little/no seasoning, but ended up being contributing NHL players. I doubt many would call guys like Guentzel and Rust fringe NHL talent.
The Caps were lucky to have such a stacked lineup the last couple years with very good injury luck. Dropping back down closer to a league average number might seem like a lot comparatively, but it really isn't when looking at the big picture.
RandyHolt
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How about this, "many" compared to any of the past several years where loading up for cup runs, and a lack of injuries left little room for much more than cups of coffee.
The larger sample sizes, were the most disturbing. Between Sanford and Vrana there were good for about a goal every 10 games or so. Combined.
I am not convinced no internet is a bad thing. We all need vacations from reality. Recall recall recall. These dog days are the best time to bow out for ...
CapitalsCupReality
It’s Go Time!!
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notDkristich
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sadly, i'm more ripped than OV and I'm not a professional athlete.
looks like OV and Smith-Pelly both have untapped potential that will be unlocked with more fitness work
SpinningEdge
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Man.... after one of his more disappointing seasons and being older now, I am expecting Ovi to come in next season in some of the best shape he's been in.
He needs to get faster - and by doing that he needs to shed some weight.
He's a generational talent, so maybe he was just a natural when he was younger and his workouts never were a major priority.
I hope he's on this. I expect him to be in good shape in October... I really hope he gets it together. He needs it to get back to elite status IMO. His "natural talents" can only do so much at his age/body type now
He needs to get faster - and by doing that he needs to shed some weight.
He's a generational talent, so maybe he was just a natural when he was younger and his workouts never were a major priority.
I hope he's on this. I expect him to be in good shape in October... I really hope he gets it together. He needs it to get back to elite status IMO. His "natural talents" can only do so much at his age/body type now
OV Rocks
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I don't care how ripped you are, stand in front of one of Ovi's one timers and tell me how "strong" you are.
Ill take a fat and happy Ovi scoring 35-40 goals a year if they win the Cup
There's something to be said for show muscles. Ovi doesn't have them, but he is stronger than most NHL players on the puck and when hitting.
Hivemind
We're Touched
There's a difference between being "cut," and being "strong" or "in shape." I don't give a rats ass what Ovechkin's physique looks like if he can play hockey. The annual Summer "here's a shirtless picture of Ovechkin" debate got old a long time ago.
g00n
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Yeah but he's 31 and is a top pro athlete in a sport that tends toward guys who are both strong and lean, like basketball. For his activity level and his age he should be more cut than that. Compare his physique with some of the other guys in the league not named Kessel or Buff.
Even if you're strong you're still carrying around another 10-15lbs you could do without. It's going to require more of his energy to maintain it and move it, although it will add to his force when he hits. But his speed, quickness, mobility and endurance will suffer. Hmmm, sounds familiar.
I'm guessing his diet is crap and he doesn't work out like he used to when he was the highest-energy player in the league.
Even if you're strong you're still carrying around another 10-15lbs you could do without. It's going to require more of his energy to maintain it and move it, although it will add to his force when he hits. But his speed, quickness, mobility and endurance will suffer. Hmmm, sounds familiar.
I'm guessing his diet is crap and he doesn't work out like he used to when he was the highest-energy player in the league.
Barry Amsterdam
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Hivemind
We're Touched
Who knows. But wild speculation from random shirtless summer pics doesn't tell us anything about his ability to play hockey one way or another. He's never been cut, even in his utterly dominant years.
Ovechkins Wodka
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Well Ovie made ESPN for being fat. So much for the hope he would drop the weight and come into the season in better shape.
Langway
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It's been like that for some time it seems. He's a horse in terms of strength but, like you said, at this stage it's more about speed and endurance. Diet plays a hand in being the leanest, meanest athlete he can be. So, yes, him being a bit chunky and rocking a dad bod is somewhat relevant here. He has plenty of time to train it off but it seems like just another off-season for him so far and I'd guess he's behind schedule compared to most given his diet alone.
I mean, it's kind of hard to hammer at young prospects to be serious about their diet when the franchise player gets to do whatever he wants. Double standards are a killer for morale. The young player will adhere to it because they want to succeed but you can't have exemptions, particularly at this stage of his career. I'm sure he'll slim down somewhat but it's going to take more work than it otherwise should.
g00n
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Young Ovie.
That's pretty lean. Especially compared to the last 5 or so years.
Hell, even in 2011 which is probably when things started going downhill:
Even 2015:
If he came to camp looking like any of those years, we'd all be gobsmacked. 50 goals would be a no brainer.
Ovie getting in and out of shape is a story. He's not Eddie Lacy bad, but he's got a fight on his hands now in his 30s for sure.
Hivemind
We're Touched
I can't believe I'm letting myself get dragged into this nonsense.
(Dark visor years)
(2008 Beijing Olympics)
(circa 2010 showing off brother tattoo)
(~2010, again brother tattoo)
(Dark visor years)
(2008 Beijing Olympics)
(circa 2010 showing off brother tattoo)
(~2010, again brother tattoo)
g00n
Retired Global Mod
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You said he's never been cut. He has. He's also struggled with not being cut. That's not in dispute. Posting some pics where he doesn't look ripped doesn't prove he was never in shape or cut.
Point being he's got to improve his conditioning. I think this has been mentioned by people in the organization more than onces. McPhee talked about it in 2012 or so. I believe something was said in one of the previous offseasons by either Trotz or gmBm, as well.
At 31, in his position in the sport and the way he needs to play, being strong but padded won't do it.
Point being he's got to improve his conditioning. I think this has been mentioned by people in the organization more than onces. McPhee talked about it in 2012 or so. I believe something was said in one of the previous offseasons by either Trotz or gmBm, as well.
At 31, in his position in the sport and the way he needs to play, being strong but padded won't do it.
RandyHolt
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I wonder if they will stoop to once again sending Vogel over to interview him in Russia, and casually ask him if he has been working out 2 minutes in.
IIRC that was the one with Ovi slumping in his chair making his gut look even bigger.
Vogs probably liked that as much as Sharon Stone going to Mars.
IIRC that was the one with Ovi slumping in his chair making his gut look even bigger.
Vogs probably liked that as much as Sharon Stone going to Mars.
CapitalsCupReality
It’s Go Time!!
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Conditioning is only part of my concern. His speed and agility are down big time. Shedding some pounds should make a significant difference there. Him being strong on the puck wasn't a concern when he was lighter and younger. The team has already said publicly that he needs to be better. I'm guessing his wife will start posting pictures in his defense any week now and he'll ultimately come into camp in good, but not great shape.
Alexander the Gr8
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He's one of the best athletes in the world and if he were to drop 20-30 lbs, I guarantee he goes back to being the best winger in the game and scoring 50 goals.
Lindberg Cheese
Registered User
Is it the gray hair, or the 20 lbs of fat on his gut?
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