The Second Coming - Alex Ovechkin
Posted 3:07 PM ET | Comments 1
From the first shift of his first NHL game, Alex Ovechkin has been knocking people on their asses. Ask Radoslav Suchy. You know, the guy that Ovechkin checked so hard on his first shift in the NHL that Suchy went through the glass.
Ovechkin, ever since, has been a man among men in the NHL. Suchy? Well, he is playing in Switzerland, downtrodden and demoralized. Apparently, he is much more happy slurping down hot chocolate, sucking on Ricola, and skiing than even have the chance of being hit by Ovechkin again.
Now, I am sure I do not have to go into a whole exhibition on Ovechkin's many skills on the ice. I want to talk about his character. I want to talk about the man Alex Ovechkin, not the hockey player.
I have been reading this awful tripe spewing from the fingers of countless jealous "computer-chair GM's" who would crap their lucky underpants and then lick it while the whole wide world watched, for even a shot of signing AO under 10 mil a year on their respective favorite team. Seriously guys. Anyone can see through your barbed comments. The pain of unrequited love stings, doesn't it?
The truth is that AO loves DC. He loves it so much he wants to stay there for 13 years. Not only does he love DC for what it is, but what it will be. He is in love with the potential she holds. Sure, she may look a little ugly to you. She may not have all of the glitz and glamour that some other gals have. But, she has a great personality, and AO isn't as shallow as you seem to think everyone should be.
"DC doesn't deserve such a dashing young gentleman caller."
AO begs to differ. He seems to think that he is a perfect match for DC. And, of all people involved, I would say that AO is the best person to judge just who is worthy of his love.
"AO is obviously is only doing it for the money."
Well, guess what. AO could have not signed a contract and waited for someone to send him an RFA offer, which the Caps would have been forced to match. After seeing what Philly coughed up for Briere, and what the Rangers gave the Gomez and Drury, who really thinks that some team wouldn't have given him an offer for league max? 10.8 mil, right? Looks like GMGM saved himself about 2 million a year for the next 6 years. Hell, as AO even said himself, if it was about the money, he would have signed up just until he was a UFA and left to the highest bidder, which I assure you would be for much more than 10 million. This contract shows that AO is loyal. LOYALTY. A trait often lacking in today's sports landscape. You guys don't see it because he isn't being loyal to your team. You should respect his ability to stick with a franchise that might not be on top today, but has the potential to be on top in the near future.
"No one should make more than Crosby."
AO will be making the same as Crosby for the next four years. Sid's last season on his contract is 7.5 mil. Mostly so his lame-ass cap hit would be 8.7 mil. From there, Sid the Kid will signs a new contract for a lot more money than AO will be getting. Mark my words. Your precious little poster-boy will make more than AO over their careers, not to mention his endorsement deals and his god-awful clothing line.
"AO will be taking up almost 1/5th of the Caps payroll for the foreseeable future! Surely they can not build themselves into a contender with one guy making so much money!"
Really? Seriously? What percentage of the cap do you think 9 million will be in 4 or 5 years? 1/7th? 1/8th? If the salary keeps being raised at the current pace (39 to 50.3 million in 3 seasons) That is roughly 3.8 million a season. At that rate, in four years, the cap will be 65.5 million. AO's contract will be under 14% of the cap. How many teams at that point will have a superstar of AO's caliber for under 14% of their cap? Exactly. That is just in four years. Imagine in ten years? Ten million will be the going rate for 2nd tier players, much less a superstar in the middle of his prime. I will go out on a limb and say that the Capitals will be contenders within the next three seasons. In fact, they are a playing as a playoff caliber team right now with three or four key injuries and with suspect goaltending.
Maybe this will clear up a little confusion. Sorry AO doesn't love your team like he loves the Capitals. I know rejection hurts, but it is really time to move on.
Oh yeah, and Montreal, when AO said he loved your city, he meant only as a friend.
Oh yeah
Ovechkin, ever since, has been a man among men in the NHL. Suchy? Well, he is playing in Switzerland, downtrodden and demoralized. Apparently, he is much more happy slurping down hot chocolate, sucking on Ricola, and skiing than even have the chance of being hit by Ovechkin again.
Now, I am sure I do not have to go into a whole exhibition on Ovechkin's many skills on the ice. I want to talk about his character. I want to talk about the man Alex Ovechkin, not the hockey player.
I have been reading this awful tripe spewing from the fingers of countless jealous "computer-chair GM's" who would crap their lucky underpants and then lick it while the whole wide world watched, for even a shot of signing AO under 10 mil a year on their respective favorite team. Seriously guys. Anyone can see through your barbed comments. The pain of unrequited love stings, doesn't it?
The truth is that AO loves DC. He loves it so much he wants to stay there for 13 years. Not only does he love DC for what it is, but what it will be. He is in love with the potential she holds. Sure, she may look a little ugly to you. She may not have all of the glitz and glamour that some other gals have. But, she has a great personality, and AO isn't as shallow as you seem to think everyone should be.
"DC doesn't deserve such a dashing young gentleman caller."
AO begs to differ. He seems to think that he is a perfect match for DC. And, of all people involved, I would say that AO is the best person to judge just who is worthy of his love.
"AO is obviously is only doing it for the money."
Well, guess what. AO could have not signed a contract and waited for someone to send him an RFA offer, which the Caps would have been forced to match. After seeing what Philly coughed up for Briere, and what the Rangers gave the Gomez and Drury, who really thinks that some team wouldn't have given him an offer for league max? 10.8 mil, right? Looks like GMGM saved himself about 2 million a year for the next 6 years. Hell, as AO even said himself, if it was about the money, he would have signed up just until he was a UFA and left to the highest bidder, which I assure you would be for much more than 10 million. This contract shows that AO is loyal. LOYALTY. A trait often lacking in today's sports landscape. You guys don't see it because he isn't being loyal to your team. You should respect his ability to stick with a franchise that might not be on top today, but has the potential to be on top in the near future.
"No one should make more than Crosby."
AO will be making the same as Crosby for the next four years. Sid's last season on his contract is 7.5 mil. Mostly so his lame-ass cap hit would be 8.7 mil. From there, Sid the Kid will signs a new contract for a lot more money than AO will be getting. Mark my words. Your precious little poster-boy will make more than AO over their careers, not to mention his endorsement deals and his god-awful clothing line.
"AO will be taking up almost 1/5th of the Caps payroll for the foreseeable future! Surely they can not build themselves into a contender with one guy making so much money!"
Really? Seriously? What percentage of the cap do you think 9 million will be in 4 or 5 years? 1/7th? 1/8th? If the salary keeps being raised at the current pace (39 to 50.3 million in 3 seasons) That is roughly 3.8 million a season. At that rate, in four years, the cap will be 65.5 million. AO's contract will be under 14% of the cap. How many teams at that point will have a superstar of AO's caliber for under 14% of their cap? Exactly. That is just in four years. Imagine in ten years? Ten million will be the going rate for 2nd tier players, much less a superstar in the middle of his prime. I will go out on a limb and say that the Capitals will be contenders within the next three seasons. In fact, they are a playing as a playoff caliber team right now with three or four key injuries and with suspect goaltending.
Maybe this will clear up a little confusion. Sorry AO doesn't love your team like he loves the Capitals. I know rejection hurts, but it is really time to move on.
Oh yeah, and Montreal, when AO said he loved your city, he meant only as a friend.
Oh yeah
Great Blog. The Caps got off to a very slow start, but now they are within 7 or less points of the Hurricanes for top spot in the SE Division. I think they can make the playoffs as an 8th or 7th spot if they keep playing. Its also not just AO doing the work. Green has risen to become a great star this year and hopefully a sign to come of its young players. I like Kolzig, he's a good goalie and has been for most of his career. However, his career is almost over, and the Caps need to start looking for a young goalie or maybe trade (if Emery can start behaving and play like last year).