Ovechkin's 2011 was considering perplexing and disappointing at the time, but in hindsight it wasn't so bad. He was in the top ten in points. If you flip the goal and assist totals around, it's not that different from some of his later prime seasons.
2012 stands out as a surprisingly poor season. He was out of the top 30 in points. He was playing and scoring at a higher level this season (age 39) than in 2012.
Getzlaf really struggled in 2012 as well. Only 57 points in the middle of his prime in a full season.
Ovechkin really is so strange. So many "huh" moments, where you figure he's "done", only to prove everyone otherwise.
After his slightly slower 2007 season vs Crosby's 2007 season - did anyone expect Ovechkin to torch the league, in the regular season, to the extent he did even above Crosby for the next 3 years?
And then - in 2010 - flying high - did anyone expect him to have such a downturn in 2011 & 2012? I agree looking bad with hindsight it doesn't maybe look too bad on his resume, but it's still a huge dip in performance.
And then - in middle of 2013 season, 3rd straight poor season for him....did anyone expect him to turn it around mid-season, score close to a ~goal per game rest of season to help Caps rise back up the rankings to make playoffs and win the Hart?
And still - in ~2013 looking farther out, did anyone ever think Ovechkin would bounce back from his seeming early decline to come back and win 7 additional rocket trophies?
And then - in 2021-2022, age 35, finally declining for real after such a great career...did anyone expect him to give McDrai a run for their money for hart/ross/rocket more than halfway into the season, and end up with another 50 goal season?
And then - here we are in 2024-2025, he finally did slow down last year, "only" 31 goals and a really bad start...did anyone expect him to come back and start the year with 15 goals in 18 games to lead the league, prior to injury, and be scoring at a ~114 point pace?
It's really incredible to consider Ovechkin's career arc, and how many times he came back unxpectedly after being counted out with a huge bounce back.