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Pittsburgh, PA • United States • 48 Years Old • Male

Ovechkin is the MVP

Posted 11:26 AM ET | Comments 5
Sometimes it takes a loss to understand how important a player is to his team. The Capitals lost 5-0 to the Blackhawks last night. In a game where the Capitals failed to score, it was more apparent than ever how Alexander Ovechkin is the league MVP.

A week or so ago, Ek posted the "Who Would You Build Your Team Around" blog.

The options...Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin.

I tried to be as honest as I could in thinking through this.

I said back then that I would build around Sidney...and today I still feel that way.

But part of that great debate went off on a bit of a tangent about who the MVP should be this year.

There is a decent amount of sentiment that Marty Brodeur is deserving of the award...or maybe Jarome Iginla from the Flames.

While I believe both Brodeur and Iginla are more than appropriate choices, I just don't think there is any way this award should go to anybody but Ovechkin.

I realize that only ONE other time has the award gone to a player from a non-playoff team...that was Mario Lemieux in 1988...and currently the Capitals are in a dogfight for the 8th spot in the East...so a Caps playoff birth is anything but sure at this point.

But based on what I have seen this season, both on tv and in person, I can't think of a player that better defines the reason for why the award should be given, than AO.

He, as the latest NHL add suggests, has "Live(d) Every Shift", especially since signing his new contract earlier this year.

You may not like some of his play, but you can't help but be respectful of his heart and desire to win. He gives his all on every shift of every game and he has single handedly taken the Caps from an after thought to a potential playoff team.

People will probably compare AO and Crosby for years to come. And hopefully if both stay healthy we will see things we only dreamed possible from the two of them. And, hopefully, like Gretzky and Lemieux, the debate about who was the best will go on long after they both retire.

But this year undoubtedly belongs to Ovechkin. Even if the Caps fail to make the playoffs, he still deserves the award.

And maybe it takes a game where he doesn't have his best stuff...and he and the Caps fail to score, to emphasize even more, how he is the right choice for the Hart Trophy this year.

Let's hope the people who make the decision see it this way too.
March 20, 2008 2:38 PM ET | Delete
I couldn't agree more, Ovechikin is without a doubt the most important player to his team in the current NHL. Crosby got hurt and the team managed just fine without him. But, if Ovechkin and his 50 goals went down, the Capitals would be in big trouble! He is the reason that team has a chance at the playoffs and he also has the chance to save a struggling franchise in the Washington Capitals.
March 20, 2008 3:53 PM ET | Delete
Takes courage to make that point from a Penguins fan. Kudos for your intelligence and honesty.
March 20, 2008 4:10 PM ET | Delete
Good Stuff!... Although, I still don't like Ovie.
March 20, 2008 4:17 PM ET | Delete
Wow, good blog man..And coming from a Pens fan. In my opinion, its AO, but I think Malkin has the 2nd best case.I'm curious as though how AO can rub some fans the wrong way? What's not to like? He's physical, he's plays with more heart and energy arguable more than anyone, he's one of the most gifted goal scorers in the league... Just curious, not into talking smack about it, but what are the reasons not to like him?
March 20, 2008 7:07 PM ET | Delete
AO does it all for the Caps. He shows heart, can score at will, physical when it counts, and doesnt back down to anyone. I would take a player like that on my team any day of the week.
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