Comments on: Capitals admit they’re “pretty useless” without productive Ovechkin, Semin

By: polegojim

polegojim — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:53:07 +0000

Sorry guys – my theory on O is proven true regularly –

Awesome stretches – Then he takes several weeks off and mails in his games.
Keep cashing those checks O. Keep watching the Stanley Cup from home.

Will Pro sports ever smarten up and actually pay for RESULTS instead of guaranted millions?

Imagine – an NHL standard base salary of $250k, +$100k for winning first round, +$150k for winning second round and +$500k for winning the Stanley Cup. Tweak it up for the superstars, but if you don’t win, you don’t get paid. Pay for performance…Hey, isn’t that how the REST of us get paid? Or use the same method as PGA and Tennis – is it any wonder why those guys always seem to play hungry?
Pay per final placement results.

By: bcjim

bcjim — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:33:32 +0000

@hh69

No cap fans have any problem with it I assure you. Ovs point production is down. Why? Don’t know, but at some point, someone has to say something.

Erskine may not be aNorris candidate, but has other responsibilities which he takes care of pretty well, I’m happy to have a guy that can pummel just about anyone, yet is still a legitimate nhl player unlike some goons

By: danphipps01

danphipps01 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:35:52 +0000

Yes, but most of them aren’t lauded as the best goal-scorer in the NHL. Most haven’t won the Art Ross once and the Rocket Richard and Hart twice in their careers, let alone since 2008. This guy was once compared to Sidney Crosby as an equal, though I’ve noticed that hasn’t happened much since he hit a brick wall in goal-scoring. Frankly, there are stars, and then there’s what Alexander Ovechkin is supposed to be – a star AMONG stars. When the guy who notched 65 goals and 112 points in ’08 is on pace for 28 and 63 this season, it’s substantially more noticeable than when, say, Rick Nash has a bad month. The Capitals, as Chimera correctly notes, are useless without him. And Chimera’s better-equipped to speak than anyone, really – he’s been trying to carry the team on his back for a month and it just isn’t working. He’s playing at a level he’s never played at in his life and unless Ovechkin starts playing at even TWO-THIRDS the level he’s played at for four or five years CONSECUTIVELY, Chimera’s efforts will be completely wasted.

So, yeah. Ball’s in your court, Ovi. Maybe try picking it up and doing something?

By: danphipps01

danphipps01 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:01:35 +0000

Yeah. Based on how Ovi’s gone from 65 goals to a projected… 28-35-63 this year, maybe it’s about time someone started criticizing. It’s not coming from the staff. They already fired one coach because Ovi didn’t like being pushed. And Christ knows the fans are too rabid to acknowledge his faults. So, if a teammate or two have the balls to say “Yeah, time to accept that you’re not doing enough. We need you back to win.” a mature leader would consider it high fucking time to listen.

Then again, this is Ovechkin we’re talking about, so don’t expect much of a change.

By: hulkhogan69

hulkhogan69 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:25:53 +0000

A talentless slug like John Erskine telling Ovie how to play? Really? Really?

By: bcjim

bcjim — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:54:15 +0000

The Caps stars need to commit to the forecheck imo. When the opponent is forced into mistakes, that is when the highlight reel goals come easy.

But yes, in answer to the question, good judgement is what is needed, not all dump or all deke.

By: icelovinbrotha215

icelovinbrotha215 — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:45:06 +0000

Doesn’t that apply to all teams and their respective stars?