by rooster427 on July 9, 2008
The Capitals have signed forward Brooks Laich to a three year deal worth $6.3 million. Laich had a career best in points(37), assists(16), and goals(21) and added some much needed offensive firepower to the 3rd Line. This deal makes perfect sense for the Caps. The Caps also re-signed Sergei Fedorov to a 1 year deal worth $4 million. That’s a lot of money for an over the hill superstar in the twilight of his career. I thought there was only one team in this town that signed washed up stars to expensive contracts. The good thing about Fedorov is that he is a great leader, loves Washington, D.C., and gets along great with Ovechkin. The bad news is he is 38 years old and a $4 million hit to the salary cap.
Laich was a pleasant surprise for the Caps last year adding offense to the third line.
by rooster427 on June 13, 2008
Every once in a while a player comes along so special that he can single handedly change the complexion of a city, a league, a game. Hockey in the nations capital has long been an afterthought. Washington, D.C. is first and foremost a football town. The emergence of the Wizards as a playoff team has created some buzz and the new stadium for the Nationals was nice for a couple of weeks but in this city the gridiron is king. Always has been and always will be. However as we get ready for the upcoming NFL season we would be doing ourselves a great injustice as sports fans if we did not sit back and reflect on the 3 years Alex Ovechkin has been with the Washington Capitals and what his presence has meant for hockey in this city.
In the 2004 NHL Entry Draft the Washington Capitals picked the highly touted Alexander Ovechkin as the 1st overall draft choice. Ovechkin, who had been projected as the #1 pick for years, did not disappoint. On October 5, 2005 Ovechkin scored two goals in his first game as an NHL player and as a Capital in a 3-2 win over Columbus. Then on January 16, 2006 Alexander Ovechkin scored a goal that would forever be etched in DC sports lore. After being knocked down by Phoenix Coyote defenseman Paul Mara, Ovechkin somehow was able to hook the puck with one hand on his stick and send it past goalie Brian Boucher for his second goal of the night.
Veteran hockey reporter Bill Clement called it “one of the greatest goals of all time”. The goal made Ovechkin one of the most popular players in the NHL and helped pave the way for greatness.
By the time the 2005-2006 NHL season had ended Ovechkin had led all NHL rookies in goals, points, power-play goals, and shots. He was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the leagues top rookie and even got some love from the gaming world as EA Sports made him the cover boy for NHL ‘07. It was official, a star had been born in D.C.
On January 10, 2008 The Capitals, realizing that they had one of the NHL’s brightest stars, signed Ovechkin to a 13 year contract extension worth $124 million. With his financial situation squared away Ovechkin was free to play the game he loved, and play he did. The 2007-2008 NHL season proved to be a breakout year for Ovechkin. He led the Washington Capitals to the playoffs as well as leading the league in points (112) and assists (65). For these accomplishments Ovechkin was awarded the Art Ross Trophy and the Rocket Richard Trophy. And then last night at the NHL awards show, Ovechkin was awarded the Hart Trophy as the leagues MVP. An impressive way to end his first three years in the nations capital. And he is just getting started.
The great thing about Ovechkin is not so much that he is a great hockey player but that he is our great hockey player. This isn’t some aging superstar in the twilight of their career that The Capitals brought in to give them a couple of good years. He was drafted by D.C. and from what I can tell, is going to stay in D.C. The enthusiasm and youthful energy he brings to the game has completely transformed the perception of hockey in this city. I have never seen sports fans in D.C. more excited for playoff hockey than during the “RED OUT” that took place at the Verizon Center this year. Ovechkin will be awarded the keys to the city today by Mayor Fenty which is fitting as Ovechkin has opened up whole new doors for the NHL in D.C. I can’t wait until next year.
by rooster427 on June 13, 2008
Dr. Gonzo Reporting,
If you’re not on the Capital’s bandwagon yet, you got some explaining to do… Shortly after “DC’s Great One” Alex Ovechkin sign a mind boggling 13 yr 124 million dollar contract, he began to tear the NHL a new one.
Wake up DC we’ve got the Lebron of the NHL.
And to prove my point Ovie just won the NHL MVP trophy as well as the Most Outstanding Player award, which is voted on by his peers. Those two trophies go in his case that is already full with a Points trophy as well as most goals for the season.
Disclaimer: All these trophies have names, but I don’t feel like researching them all
Then on top of the news that Ovie owns the NHL, first year Coach Bruce Boudreau picked up NHL coach of the year.
Can you believe it DC, almost every major trophy the NHL can create, is now in the hands of our team.
Yes, the future is very, very, very bright, bright enough for sun glasses. Never before have we had such a dominant young player in our grasp. We’ve had the has-beens like Jagr and Jordan, but never have we had the future of a league on our team.
So everybody calm down, as long as a DC sports curse doesn’t cripple Alex’s legs, we have the future of the NHL, the Most Exciting Player in the Sport, and we can go down to the Verizon center and watch him play for the next 13 FREAKING YEARS!! Congrats Ovie, congrats Boudreau and congrats DC, we’re finally the best at something…that’s it and that’s all…..
by rooster427 on May 30, 2008
Alexander Ovechkin, whose 112 points and 65 goals led the NHL this season, has been awarded the Art Ross and Maurice Richard trophies. Ovechkin also hopes to receive the Hart Trophy next month which is given to the league MVP. The great Mark Meesier handed out the award to Alex the Great which made the ceremony even more memorable. In addition to winning the personal awards Ovechkin recently helped Team Russia win the World Championships in Quebec City. When asked about the party thrown in Russia after the teams victory Ovechkin responded, “a very great party and lots of alcohol.” Spoken like a true Russian beast.
