Which of the following scenarios would be best for Ovechkin’s career/legacy?

[Caps8112]

Pittsburgh was on the brink of bankruptcy when they drafted Crosby. They also finished last in the standings during Crosby’s rookie year. The team was a train wreck. The following year, they immediately bounced back, making the playoffs with 105 points, with Crosby sweeping the Ross, Hart, and Lindsay trophies. The next year, they reached the Stanley Cup Final and ultimately won the championship the year after.

And yes, you have to be a Crosby hater to deny or minimize the impact he had in elevating his team to the next level. While hockey is a team game, Crosby was the main reason his team became contenders so quickly. The rapid turnaround from 2006 to 2009 is clear evidence of his influence. In that regard, I believe he deserves the benefit of the doubt that he could have elevated any team, regardless of who drafted him in 2005.

Im not denying anything. Crosby was amazing but he didnt do it by himself. Take Malkin away during any of the championship runs and they dont win. Didnt hurt that when he was drafted the team was already rebuilding. Say what you want about Fleury but having a goalie from beginning is huge and when Pitt believed he was starting to falter along came murray magically . They got Letang in the same draft. They already had Orpik. Getting Gonchar was another big piece. What Im saying is where you get drafted, the management that is there along with just plain luck extremely infleunces your career. The year Crosby was drafted the sabres, rangers, blue jackets all had 3 lottery balls. Given what we have seen in CBJ through out the years do you believe Crosby has the same playoff success there? The sabres have been a disaster for 15 plus years. HE likely has success with the rangers but is it the same as the pens? Your saying Crosby was the main reason the team became contenders so quickly, well the same could be said for Ovi. Just takes a lot of the right moves, bounces and luck to win championships. Caps lost 3 game 7s to pitt. Flip some or all of those and the narrative changes drastically.

 

[Killer Orcas]

I'm guessing you and a few other voters don't realize that he would also have the record in Option 2.

Maybe OP needed to be more clear about this.

To be clear, all you're voting for is for him to finish with 1 more point than Crosby instead of winning a Hart Trophy and a playoff round

No I got that I think your missing part where he gets thousand plus goals and finishes 3rd in all-time points as well with option 1.

 

[Machinehead]

So let's see here

Option 1 - He literally scores 1,000 goals and has easily a top 10 career all-time.

Option 2 - He has one of the greatest individual seasons ever.

Option 3 - He's mostly mediocre, doesn't get the record, severely injures himself, and still doesn't win the Cup.