In his 24 playoff series over 19 seasons, Alex Ovechkin — the greatest goal scorer of his generation, embarking on a quest to become the most prolific ever over the final two seasons of his career — had never failed to score at least one measly goal. Scoring goals is what defines him, what fuels him. When he sniffs one out, the scent gets stronger, and he goes for more.
On the one hand, yes, we can’t win with the old core still being the engine of the team. On the other hand, the young ones are going to have to step up and take it from them.
nudave
Let’s just be clear on one thing though. Ovi still scored a team-leading 31 goals this year. In fact, he has still *never* had a season in which he scored fewer than 30 goals (or 30-goal pace… 24 goals in a 56-game COVID season is 35 goal pace). He has led the team in goals every single year of his tenure here (except for a tie with Oshie in 2016-17). That’s an absurd feat. He has more hockey to give, and should continue being an important piece of our team for the remainder of his contract.
That said, the article’s point that he isn’t the Ovi he was early in his career (or during the Cup era) is valid — we won’t win if we expect him to singlehandedly carry the offense. I’d actually love it if he *doesn’t* lead the team in goals next year… not because his production has tailed off, but because we actually have another legit 30-40 goal scorer and learn how to balance the load better.
vinfox
well, yeah
NessGoddes
Ok, but so we have people to build that new core upon? I didn’t see a ton of production from anyone this year. Who could leap above their current performance?
cmaxwe
That is the problem with trading your prospects and draft picks for a decade – the next core is weak.
Don’t get me wrong it was 100% the right decision and resulted in a cup but there are consequences to this.
ClusterFugazi
Pretty much the old core has been gone (only 3 players reman from 2018) and the new core sucks. BMGM, said we lack top 6 score for the last few seasons and had failed to add any significant scoring. The only thing he’s given us is shit contracts by misreading our cup window.
Pentt4
We dont have anyone right now that can play for us in 2024-25 outside of Leonard who is a top line player.
8 Comments
In his 24 playoff series over 19 seasons, Alex Ovechkin — the greatest goal scorer of his generation, embarking on a quest to become the most prolific ever over the final two seasons of his career — had never failed to score at least one measly goal. Scoring goals is what defines him, what fuels him. When he sniffs one out, the scent gets stronger, and he goes for more.
But in the Washington Capitals’ sweep at the hands of the New York Rangers, which ended with [Sunday night’s 4-2 loss](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/04/28/rangers-capitals-stanley-cup-playoffs-game-4/?itid=sf_sports_top-table_p001_f002&itid=lk_inline_manual_4), Ovechkin couldn’t find the net, not once. It’s symbolic, really, because the four straight first-round losses that ushered the Caps out of these Stanley Cup playoffs showed that this franchise, defined by Ovechkin for so long, is in need of transition. And soon.
“I didn’t play well,” Ovechkin said.
The Caps’ core won the Cup. The Caps’ core can do it no more. Let’s go, kids. It’s time.
Read more here: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/04/28/capitals-swept-by-rangers/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/04/28/capitals-swept-by-rangers/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com)
On the one hand, yes, we can’t win with the old core still being the engine of the team. On the other hand, the young ones are going to have to step up and take it from them.
Let’s just be clear on one thing though. Ovi still scored a team-leading 31 goals this year. In fact, he has still *never* had a season in which he scored fewer than 30 goals (or 30-goal pace… 24 goals in a 56-game COVID season is 35 goal pace). He has led the team in goals every single year of his tenure here (except for a tie with Oshie in 2016-17). That’s an absurd feat. He has more hockey to give, and should continue being an important piece of our team for the remainder of his contract.
That said, the article’s point that he isn’t the Ovi he was early in his career (or during the Cup era) is valid — we won’t win if we expect him to singlehandedly carry the offense. I’d actually love it if he *doesn’t* lead the team in goals next year… not because his production has tailed off, but because we actually have another legit 30-40 goal scorer and learn how to balance the load better.
well, yeah
Ok, but so we have people to build that new core upon?
I didn’t see a ton of production from anyone this year. Who could leap above their current performance?
That is the problem with trading your prospects and draft picks for a decade – the next core is weak.
Don’t get me wrong it was 100% the right decision and resulted in a cup but there are consequences to this.
Pretty much the old core has been gone (only 3 players reman from 2018) and the new core sucks. BMGM, said we lack top 6 score for the last few seasons and had failed to add any significant scoring. The only thing he’s given us is shit contracts by misreading our cup window.
We dont have anyone right now that can play for us in 2024-25 outside of Leonard who is a top line player.