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Caps coach thinks Ovechkin has ‘a lot of room to grow’

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Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is the reigning Hart Trophy winner, but that doesn’t mean he can’t get better. At least, that’s the view of head coach Adam Oates, which he expressed to CSNWashington.com on Thursday.

I think he’s got a lot of room to grow,” Oates said “He’s obviously a fantastic hockey player and all it did [moving from left wing to right wing] was allow him to touch the puck more. I think if he gets used to that he’s going to want the puck more and that’s going to help his linemates.”

When asked how he’d feel about Ovechkin possibly moving back to left wing when he plays for Russia during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Oates provided a mixed message. He said “they’d be crazy not to” keep the 27-year-old on the right side, yet he also said he’s fine with “whatever their coach thinks.”

Even if Oates believes that the thing that coach thinks is crazy.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins