Alexander the Eight

[Realgeorge]

It's worth the price of admission. Pony up the bucks to watch the kid play. His team is awful and in the bottom five, but they work hard and Ovechkin is stellar night after night. Stayed up late to watch The Kid last eve in Anaheim, he hat-tricked and won the game. Also mugged 2 or 3 Anaheim defenders. Some pundit called him "Pavel Bure in Mark Messier's body."


Liven up, you NHL fans! It's a great game again with a bright future. The lockout is forgotten as fans flock to their tubes (and occasionally the rink) to watch.


The Blackhawks are improving, the won a few last week, could use some more talent. The Penguins are merely cursed, they have a great core and good owner. Now only need a stadium. I root for Ovechkin's team, they are undertalented but "in" every game. Nobody in the playoff hunt wants to play O and his Caps.


I'm glad I invested the hundred bucks for NHL Center Ice, it's a hoot. Beats the dickens out of ESPN. Good Riddance !! Best viewing bang for buck this year is Ottawa, Toronto, Dallas, Edmonton, Buffalo Sabres, Flyers and Redwings. Crosby, Svatos and Ovechkin are excellent rookies.

 

[hedgehog]

I couldnt agree more, this guy is going to do alot for the NHL. I watched the first two periods last night and caught two of ovechkins goals. I cant remember a rookie that good in a long, long time. I watched the Capitols play the Thrashers in December, it was the best NHL game I had seen in 10 years. I could not believe the speed of the Thrashers and how they push the puck. Ovechkin did really well in that game as well. What is up with the tongue hanging out of the mouth all the time? Is he trying to copy Michael Jordan or what? I hope not.

 

[Realgeorge]

You Gotta See This One, Folks


Alex the Eight scored a highlight-reel goal, no, a thirty-year phenomenon goal tonight against Phoenix. It's been years since I've seen one like it. Essentially a defender knocked O flat on his back, and while so located, with his head flat on the ice and looking toward the side boards, somehow swung his stick around and struck the puck, which was behind his head, toward the net -- AND at a sharp angle, AND fifteen feet away. The goalie had committed to the opposite direction, and had no chance to defend the shot.


Catch it on tonite's highlight shows if you can !! The Associated Press sportguy describes it thus:


"Ovechkin.... beat Brian Boucher while sprawled on the ice, sliding toward the corner and rolling from his back to his chest. Somehow, the 20-year-old Russian left wing kept the net in mind after Coyotes defenseman Paul Mara knocked him down coming through the circle. Ovechkin sent the puck into the net at a sharp angle, handcuffing Boucher who stood up believing the threat was past."

 

[Realgeorge]

 

[Don Wassall]

Wow! Hope I get to see the footage of it.

 

[hedgehog]

The video can be seen here


[url]http://boss.streamos.com/qtime/capitals/quicktime/011606_ove chkin_p3g6.mov[/url]

 

[ocaamikedm11]

That goal was sick. I'mvery young, but i never seen a goal as impressive as that one before and I've watched a decent amount of hockey.. The kid has hall of fame potential for sure

 

[lokkon]

well, he a bit young to say that he has HOF potentiel, but he is fine

 

[hedgehog]

I strongly disagree with the previous post saying he is to young. The word "potential" is used to describe somebody with significant upside or someone who can further develop there talent level. This guy is as good as Gretzky right now. He has no supporting caste what so ever on that team. He is stronger on his skates than Gretzky and his speed, ability to create plays, stick handling,and vision are at least equal to the great ones.

 

[ocaamikedm11]

Yeah, I was trying to point out the potential he has, not that is talent of today. Like KJV1 stated, he has no supporting cast and the Capitals entire organization was riding on his play coming into this season to sell tickets. I don't know the figures, but he has to be a big hit in Washington, because hockey fans all over are amazed by him. To be so successful as a rookie is a great accomplishment and I hope no injuries slow his career like they have to so many great players...

 

[Realgeorge]

Alex signed for thirteen years and $124 with the Washington Capitals. It's a red-letter deal for several reasons. 1: An outstanding, positive, honorable White Man, who is All-World in his sport, makes good in the USofA. 2: The NHL can support major salaries and contracts for excellent White hockey players. It is leaving the NBA in the dust, and perhaps several other sports.

Ovechkin isn't perfect, but he's as close as it comes in the world of American pro sports. I have to agree with the words of his team owner: "He plays every game like it was Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals."

And in general I believe that a rising tide lifts all boats -- all good White hockey players will benefit from the Ovechkin precedent.

One small Arian-man's business note: The NHL may be outbid in future years by Russian hockey leagues, because [amazingly] Mother Russia taxes her citizens at a much lower rate than does the Peoples Republic of the USA. Soon playing in Russia will look pretty good in comparison to the Zionist-dominated Canada and America

 

[jaxvid]

They should use that money to sign some Canadian or US kids.

 

[Maple Leaf]

I strongly disagree with the previous post saying he is to young.   The word  "potential"  is used to describe somebody with significant upside or someone who can further develop there talent level.  This guy is as good as Gretzky right now.  He has no supporting caste what so ever on that team.   He is stronger on his skates than Gretzky  and his speed, ability to create plays, stick handling,  and vision are at least equal to the great ones. 

Don't get carried away here, there is a word in the english language called exageration and you just defined it. Ovet. is good, but friend, he is no Gretzky. The statistics alone are overwhelming and there is no need to compare. Forget all of the physical skills, what set Gretzky apart was his anticipation and vision. Subtle things, I know, but close to impossible to imitate.

 

[Don Wassall]

Ovechkin didn't use an agent, negotiating his own deal. I just hope there's no small-print boilerplate language buried 300 paragraphs into his contract that is used to screw him down the road, especially considering he's just learning to speak and read English.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Ovechkin didn't use an agent, negotiating his own deal.  I just hope there's no small-print boilerplate language buried 300 paragraphs into his contract that is used to screw him down the road, especially considering he's just learning to speak and read English.

It was foolish of him but I guess he was counting on his lawyer(s).

 

[Realgeorge]

Ovechkin didn't use an agent, negotiating his own deal.  I just hope there's no small-print boilerplate language buried 300 paragraphs into his contract that is used to screw him down the road, especially considering he's just learning to speak and read English.

I was filled with admiration that Ovechkin fired his greedy agent and negotiated his own contract -- with help from both parents who were professional sports athletes and who speak English well. Methinks it would be a wonderful thing if pro athletes would get rid of agents, who are parasites.

I admit to being an Ovechkin and Caps fan ... but observing the behaviors of George McPhee and Ted Leonsis, the Capitals' brain trust, I think they are sincere. It's a no BS 13 year contract for 9 and then 10 millions US. The Caps franchise is well-known for being unusually good to its own people. Leonsis has kept his core managers and business partners for over ten years.

Fired coach Ron Wilson was highly recommended to other teams interviewing him 6 years ago, and he caught on well with San Jose. Fired coach Hanlon has been brought back as a scout. Even Butch Cassidy, who was a coaching failure due to his own philandering, was assisted in subsequent job hunting. Randy Carlyle, a Hanlon assistant, got a good recommendation to go to the Anaheim Ducks -- then he won the Cup! The Caps' minor league coaches are promoted through the ranks when they perform well - note new coach Boudreau. Elder players who get too old be retained during a non-playoff season are sent to contenders -- Dale Hunter and Peter Bondra were. Lots of other sports franchises could do well by imitating the Caps. Leonsis may be Liberal Jew in politics, but is more than reasonable in people matters.

So I think it's likely that Ovechkin and his contract are the real thing. The young fellow deserves it. Not a Gretzky? Maybe not, but he works and hits harder than Gretzky, and doesn't whine like Gretzky did. I like Ovechkin to be a career hockey God like Steve Yzerman. Same with Sidney Crosby.

 

[Maple Leaf]

.... Not a Gretzky? Maybe not, but he works and hits harder than Gretzky, and doesn't whine like Gretzky did.

"...Hits harder than Gretzky...", Gretzky never laid a bodycheck during his entire career. He just ran the entire sheet of ice like a Kasparov, a chess champion. Gretzky only invented the brain game: that's all!

Ovechkin is a good, exciting player. Good luck to him. But Ovechkin is all physical, like Forsberg was. When he eventually slows a little -or when injuries catch up with him-he'll have nothing else. Gretzky was so above everyone else that he could take your everyday checker/grinder and turn him into a big goal scorer. Ovechkin can serve himself a piece of cake but he cannot share it. There is no "maybe"; nor is there any comparison between the two.Edited by: Maple Leaf

 

[cslewis1]

Let's go Caps!

 

[Bear-Arms]

Overstock.com should sign him up to do some commercials. Its all about the O.

 

[Gi-15]

Ovechkin's great. He just killed my Habs for 5 points(4 goals, 1 assiste) in an 5-4 OT thriller!

 

[Realgeorge]

I managed to view three of Ovechkin's four goals. I didn't miss the Francois Bouillon hit that broke his nose, nor the celebration of the overtime win. What was most impressive was the post-game interview. "My teammates were great, my linemates did all the work, the goalie made great stops. It was special night, I broke my nose, cut my mouth, and score four goals."

A far cry from an NBA interview: "They disrespected me!"

Ovechkin should be firmly cemented in the MVP front-runner spot. I bet we will STILL hear hollers for Jarome Iginla, who is somehow more "valuable" to his team.

A comparable NHL performance? I watched Mario Lemieux score five goals, and Gretzky and Messier and Federov dominate games. I can't think of one where a player pounded the opponent so much, took a bunch of hits, and still managed four goals.

 

[Realgeorge]

Finally, Ovechkin will get a chance to play in the NHL playoffs. The Caps vs. Flyers playoff ticket is nearly impossible to obtain. Admittedly a Caps fan, I am most pleased with the NHL season and the final sixteen. All sorts of excellent playoff races shall occur. We will see which one of us begins the "NHL Playoffs" thread at CasteFootball.US.

At the final regular-season Caps game, where they defeated a feisty Florida Panthers team to win the Southeast Division championship, many, many young girls in the paid crowd wore red Tee-shirts with the following emblems: "Mrs. Ovechkin," "Mrs. Backstrom," "Mrs. Green" and "Mrs. Semin." These refer of course to the Caps' four young hot-shots, who suddenly are the most "eligible bachelors" in town. Hopefully the young men won't get too suckered-in by these interested ladies. In DC odds are low of finding one who's not a feminist, an airhead, or a tart. Nevertheless, the instincts are good. White women looking for accomplished White men.

I've got the Red Wings to win it all (of course), with the Minnesota Wild surprising all by achieving the Conference finals. Of course I'd love to see the Caps win some series. But in crunch times, other franchises do better: New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.

Drop the Puck!Edited by: Realgeorge

 

[cslewis1]

That was an awesome series. I'm heartbroken the Caps lost though. Killed me. Two OT losses. A freakin Flyers goal on a same exact play that was disallowed when the Caps played Tampa. Also, Kozlov had a penalty called when he was checked into the FLyers Goalie Biron. Bullcrap all the way around.

And then to call a bs tripping penalty in OT that sealed the deal for the Flyers. And yet people were thinking the calls would go the Caps way! Mindboggling.

A Crosby/OV series would have been one for the ages, but once again, hockey, the NHL rather, has this thing about being scared of its own success and allows the refs to blow it.

Still Ovechkin IS the KING in DC sports now. It's awesome. Jason Campbell please take a back seat to teh Great 8. I've been a Caps fan for a long time. Many, MANY disappointments with them. And the fan supports has always been weak. But there's something in the air now, and it's fantastic to see.

Looking forward to the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs, but am going to miss the all out excitement and intensity of OV and the Caps. Next year will be fun.

 

[cslewis1]

hey RealGeorge, what would be better for the NHL, Pens advancing vs. the Rangers and the Rangers advancing vs. the Pens? I can't decide.

how about the Flyers and Montreal? In some way I think a Pens/ Canadiens series would be exciting as all can be. But we'd lose two big market teams in Philly and NY.

As for the western conf. Man, what more could you ask for. Detroit and Colorado and San Jose and Dallas. Those should be two great series.

Now with Versus on Comcast I can watch pretty much every game. Life is good right about now.

 

[Ground Fighter]

As an athlete of the game of hockey for over fifteen years, I can arguably say htat Alex Ovechkin is the best hockey player to ever put on a pair of skates. His stick-handling, speed, presence, creativity and skating ability make him (in my opinion) the most complete athlete to ever walk the Earth.

Ovechkin has absolutely no weakpoints what-so-ever and can score in just about any situation. Everyone always talks about his fancy moves while stickhandling through traffic, but it is his skating ability that makes him stand out amongst everyone else. His skating is so strong and controlled that no one can really stay with him man for man and cover him. Skating is the one thing that the Europeans emphasize over us North Americans. When our kids (North Americans) tell us that they want to play hockey, the first thing we do is put a stick in their hands. Big mistake. But when European kids tell their parents that they too want to play hockey, they are taken to the rink and taught how to skate properly FIRST before they are allowed to play hockey. That is why they are so much better than us in international competition and even in the NHL, and its also why none of us have ever seen a European player inthe NHL who was a questionable skater. They are all very talented and very well-balanced skaters, as there are no "George Laraque-types" or "Donald Brashear-types" coming from Europe.