Ovechkin milestone thread - 850 and Beyond!

[KoozNetsOff 92]

It's more about how you score empty netters. Ovie is close to having more empty netters this year than 5 on 5 goals. Gretzky padded his 92 goal a season campaign with some empty netters. Ovie is a man on a mission encouraged by his own team. I'm not saying it's wrong, but one should see it for what it is.

If you really want to "see it for what it is", you wouldn't be comparing what Gretzky did in his peak season to what OV is doing as a 37 year old.

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

I agree.

OV is doing his best. Management seems happy, since they aren’t doing much.

The first thing I would try is OV a bit less sheltered and a bit less %OZ maybe even a bit less ice time. It’s possible that with a bit less ice time, he performs better, I don’t know but it’s worth a try.

I’d try to give that quality ice time to other guys like Mantha and see how he does.

I don't know that management is happy. MacLellan called out all the top players on the team and challenged them to contribute more offensively. He specifically named Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, Mantha and Carlson.

As for ice time, Ovechkin tends to play better when he has more ice time, he gets engaged physically and the legs start pumping on the forecheck.

I do think they could adjust his ice time on the PP, Ovechkin reaches a point of diminishing returns when his shifts are too long.

 

[BallardEra]

Didn't Gretz have 51

Injuries, lock out, WHA stats not counting , no 3 on 3 overtime, ......etc

Gretzky had 56. I was just making the point between Ovie and Hull.

 

[RVACapsFan]

It's more about how you score empty netters. Ovie is close to having more empty netters this year than 5 on 5 goals. Gretzky padded his 92 goal a season campaign with some empty netters. Ovie is a man on a mission encouraged by his own team. I'm not saying it's wrong, but one should see it for what it is.

One should see it for what it is. It was ridiculously easy to score when Gretzky was in his prime. Ovechkin is the best goal scorer the sport has ever seen and it’s not particularly close. He’s adapted his game over the years and just keeps racking up goals, winning nine [9] Rocket Richards between ages 22 and 34. By comparison, Gretzky led the league in goals five times in a 6-year span.

 

[RVACapsFan]

Hopefully he gets to 1000.

Haha, he said in an interview a few years ago that once he scores 895 he’ll be down the tunnel and out the door to retire.

 

[Daximus]

Haha, he said in an interview a few years ago that once he scores 895 he’ll be down the tunnel and out the door to retire.

I kinda respect that. Set the record and bump on out and let someone else get 896.

 

[Beukeboom]

If you really want to "see it for what it is", you wouldn't be comparing what Gretzky did in his peak season to what OV is doing as a 37 year old.

I would though, since that is my point? I'm addressing why there's debate around Ovie's empty netter vs Gretzky's. So my point is that padding you goals total in your prime with empty netters looks a heck lot better than if you score more empty netters than 5-on-5 goals.

On his last goal Ovie wasn't even defending, he was costing up high waiting for a chance to get another goal. It's clear he's on a mission and the Caps encourage it. I don't understand why this statement is so controversial?

Gretzky wasn't out and chased goals at the end of games when he was 36-37. Had he been close to a record I'm sure the Rangers would have done the same.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

Despite his pass first mentality.


Despite his pass first mentality. I could have worded it more clearly, but it wasn’t that difficult to understand…

It is hard to understand because I thought we put this nonsense idea to bed many times over. Or could Datsyuk have just easily won an Art Ross if he dIdN'T fOcUs sO MuCh oN dEfEnSe

 

[VainGretzky]

No way.

I say he walks away at the age of 40 after his current contract is done.

If he is still scoring 40 plus a year why not Recchi was still productive into his mid 40's

 

[BallardEra]

If he is still scoring 40 plus a year why not Recchi was still productive into his mid 40's

He's always wanted to finish his career in the KHL and I don't think he'll be scoring 40 goals at the age of 40 when his current deal is done.

 

[Caps8112]

The boss of the Caps says Ovi is priority, the record is worth more in business than anything else at this point. Ovis record chase is putting people in the stands more than any short playoff run. Nobody is going to lose their job based on doing everything to get Ovi free goals. Obviously the goal is to win, but with Ovi getting priority.

Its not a question if its happening or not, it is, there is no denying it. Ovi fans should just own it and stop pretending! The pretending is embarrassing, even more so than what the team and Ovi does. Even though I think its a joke I can understand why Ovie and the Caps are doing it. Why his fans are denying it with vengeance is something I suppose we will never fully understand! Most likely its just defend Ovi at all costs, regardless of facts.

Russian machine never breaks interview

Leonsis also went on the record saying that he believes Ovechkin can eventually surpass Wayne Gretzky’s goal record (894).

“If he can continue that this year, he got his 700th goal, there’s a bunch of games left, that’s another 10-15 goals this season to get 50, 55, 60 goals, and you’re this age and he was the fastest to go from 500 to 600 and then 600 to 700, so it’s all about health and us continuing to having a good team,” Leonsis said. “We’re committed to him and to our fans to continue to have excellence around him and why not. Let’s try to make history!”

Sounds like what an owner should say. Doesn't sound like he said we're punting the next 4 years to chase goals. Also literally agreed that they are putting ovi in successful opportunities. They still aren't sacrificing wins for him to get goals. The logic is insane

 

[BallardEra]

 

[Caps8112]

I agree.

OV is doing his best. Management seems happy, since they aren’t doing much.

The first thing I would try is OV a bit less sheltered and a bit less %OZ maybe even a bit less ice time. It’s possible that with a bit less ice time, he performs better, I don’t know but it’s worth a try.

I’d try to give that quality ice time to other guys like Mantha and see how he does.

All for the coaching staff mixing things up for better results but this roster is incredibly limited with the injuries they have. Really aren't changing much. Mantha will give you the same result playing 1st line, press box or where he is. Dudes just a massive underachiever. Maybe when Wilson or Backstrom come back, if they come back close to what they were, changes could be meaningful. Agree that cutting ovis ice time could benefit him but not sure what else they could do. Being good for 20 years has left the prospects weak. Most of the young guys on offense are unimpressive at best

 

[Fantomas]

greatest gender diverse scorer.

 

[NORiculous]

Russian machine never breaks interview

Leonsis also went on the record saying that he believes Ovechkin can eventually surpass Wayne Gretzky’s goal record (894).

“If he can continue that this year, he got his 700th goal, there’s a bunch of games left, that’s another 10-15 goals this season to get 50, 55, 60 goals, and you’re this age and he was the fastest to go from 500 to 600 and then 600 to 700, so it’s all about health and us continuing to having a good team,” Leonsis said. “We’re committed to him and to our fans to continue to have excellence around him and why not. Let’s try to make history!”

Sounds like what an owner should say. Doesn't sound like he said we're punting the next 4 years to chase goals. Also literally agreed that they are putting ovi in successful opportunities. They still aren't sacrificing wins for him to get goals. The logic is insane

"We will do everything to help Ovi to become first (in goals), cause if that happens it will be important not only for him but for our fans too who love him, for our franchise and the whole league after all! I used to think it's impossible to break Gretky's records. But now I think it's more & more realistic (achievable). If Alex is healthy then he can achieve it. Imagine, such a way to finish his career!"

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis issues bold goal

The Capitals team owner is prepared to do anything to help his franchise player achieve history.

www.hockeyfeed.com

If you look at the advanced stats I posted earlier in this thread, you will see that the good opportunity that OV is getting has a cost.

 

[Demandedace]

NBA COMPARISONS ABOUND

Skip Prince, the new director of broadcasting in the National Hockey League, predicts the league is primed for the kind of popularity boost and economic growth the National Basketball Association e…

www.chicagotribune.com

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Ovechkin's a great, but dude has only five 5 on 5 goals this year lol it's getting embarrassing

I encourage you to look up the caps roster and most notably Ovi’s line mates this season lol

 

[NORiculous]

I encourage you to look up the caps roster and most notably Ovi’s line mates this season lol

Strome and Sheary
Kuznetsov and Sheary

I think Strome and Kuznetsov are fine. You don’t think so?

 

[Caps8112]

"We will do everything to help Ovi to become first (in goals), cause if that happens it will be important not only for him but for our fans too who love him, for our franchise and the whole league after all! I used to think it's impossible to break Gretky's records. But now I think it's more & more realistic (achievable). If Alex is healthy then he can achieve it. Imagine, such a way to finish his career!"

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis issues bold goal

The Capitals team owner is prepared to do anything to help his franchise player achieve history.

www.hockeyfeed.com

If you look at the advanced stats I posted earlier in this thread, you will see that the good opportunity that OV is getting has a cost.

Still the same point I made. Leonsis isn't saying we are pu ting the next 4 years for goals. Sometimes I wish they would put these hypothetical changes into effect just so people can see mantha, or sheary or whoever will not produce more then ovi at 37 in ovis place. He isn't what he use to be but he is still their vest player. That may not be great for the Caps going forward but I don't see how it could be improved by giving someone else currently on the roster more of ovis time, other then it just helping ovi

 

[NORiculous]

Still the same point I made. Leonsis isn't saying we are pu ting the next 4 years for goals. Sometimes I wish they would put these hypothetical changes into effect just so people can see mantha, or sheary or whoever will not produce more than ovi at 37 in ovis place. He isn't what he use to be but he is still their vest player. That may not be great for the Caps going forward but I don't see how it could be improved by giving someone else currently on the roster more of ovis time, other then it just helping ovi

I agree he still should be the best player most of the time.

Leonsis saying “we will do everything to help OV to become 1st in goals” kinda say a lot. He didn’t need to say that.

Also, shouldn’t he not have the easiest ice time? (I know, two negatives… shouldn’t he be able to produce while facing normal opposition instead of the easy ice time he is currently getting this year?)

With his current easy ice time:

GF/60: 2,023
GA/60: 2,646

So basically loosing 0,6 ish GA/60

-0,3490 (QoC rel Corsi For %)

Kuznetsov has a little tougher opposition and is up 0,3GF/60

GF/60: 2,393
GA/60: 2,051

-0,2792 (QoC rel Corsi For %)


Strome loss of 0,5 ish GA/60

GF/60: 2,1248
GA/60: 2,6560

But has tougher opposition

	-0,095807 (QoC rel Corsi For %)
	68,810 (% of starts in OZ)

Sheary

GF/60: 2,942
GA/60: 3,462

-0,0970 (QoC rel Corsi For %)

-0,5 GA/60

So these are the guys that OV plays more with and they are all performing slightly better or better than OV with tougher opposition and less %OZ.

How can they not try something else if they want to win games? Unless the record is more important!

Right now, we have words of the owner and we have results that point towards the stats padding which is hindering the team a little.

I am waiting to see if they try something that looks like trying to win games.

 

[YoRy]

Strome and Sheary
Kuznetsov and Sheary

I think Strome and Kuznetsov are fine. You don’t think so?

I think you don't watch games. And that's the problem - making conclusions based on a couple of numbers without having an idea of what's going on in games is insanely stupid.

Kuznetsov is fine? Throw out your numbers and watch at least ~10 games — then try saying it again.

OV is not perfect (and that's fine — he's 37, damn it), but this is not the case when problems can be pinned on one player — given that many team players will not even play a couple of games in a row at their level.

 

[Drakon]

Strome and Sheary
Kuznetsov and Sheary

I think Strome and Kuznetsov are fine. You don’t think so?

Kuznetsov has been very poor for long stretches of the last two years.

 

[vippe]

I heard from trustworthy sources, Ovechkins gonna score another ENG tonight just to spite all his detractors who tries their hardest to diminish a soon to be 800 goal scorer.

You really need to get over yourself.

 

[Duder54]

Kinda reminds me of…

 

[NORiculous]

I think you don't watch games. And that's the problem - making conclusions based on a couple of numbers without having an idea of what's going on in games is insanely stupid.

Kuznetsov is fine? Throw out your numbers and watch at least ~10 games — then try saying it again.

OV is not perfect (and that's fine — he's 37, damn it), but this is not the case when problems can be pinned on one player — given that many team players will not even play a couple of games in a row at their level.

Kuznetsov has been very poor for long stretches of the last two years.

When the old “you don’t watch games” comes out it mostly means you don’t have much to say.

Yes I do watch games. I know Kuznetsov is struggling in multiple facettes. But he still a guy that is hurting the team less then OV is right now.

Some people that love OV so much don’t even want to think about this for a second.

 

[BallardEra]

Why is a Montreal fan so invested about caring for Ovechkin and the Capitals this much?

Propping up a guy like Kuznetsov who has been a model of inconsistency and frustration his whole career to belittle Ovechkin is really grasping at straws right now.

Stop derailing the thread title and perhaps open up your own thread about how much you dislike Ovechkin and love Kuznetsov.

I'm sure you'll get the reactions you seek in a thread like that.