When Alex Ovechkin was named captain of the Washington Capitals in January of 2010 it was a move that surprised many people. After all, the Caps had just been captained by veteran forward Chris Clark and after he traded there was a lot of discussion about who would take the captain’s “C” in D.C. After one full season and two different playoff runs as team captain, many have questioned whether or not Ovechkin is the man for the job.
After all, with veteran leaders acquired in recent time like Mike Knuble and Jason Arnott (now off to St. Louis) to help out in the locker room, some wonder if it’s a role that the still young Ovechkin is ready for. After Ovechkin’s play the last season and a half and continuing to lead the Capitals in scoring and even being labeled by the NHL as one of the league’s biggest hitters, at the very least Ovechkin is leading by example.
As for what his coach Bruce Boudreau thinks of how Ovechkin is doing as the team captain, he’s expecting that Ovechkin will be an even better team leader this season as the Caps shape up as a favorite for the Stanley Cup. Tarik El-Bashir of The Washington Post speaks to Boudreau about what he sees Ovechkin doing more of this time around to lead the Caps.As for Ovechkin’s down statistical season last year that saw him hand out far more assists than goals (32 goals, 53 assists), it was still a great season, just not what we’re used to seeing out of the electrifying Ovechkin. Boudreau sees Ovechkin coming back this season as motivated as he ever has been.
“I fully expect Alex Ovechkin to come back into [training] camp mean as a bear,” Boudreau said. “I’m sure — and it’s well documented — that individually for him, he took more criticism at the end of last year for his totals in goals and points, and not being up for the Hart, and not being up for other awards.”
“He’s so proud, he’s probably like, ‘I’m going to show you.’ That’s his M.O. It’s not bravado. It’s a quiet, ‘I am one of the best, I want to be one of the best and I’m going to show ‘em I’m one of the best.’”An angry, motivated Ovechkin is the kind of Ovechkin we want to see on the ice. After a down goal scoring season, seeing Ovechkin reach the 50+ goal plateau again would help get his critics off his back. Of course, doing that while winning a Stanley Cup for the Capitals would damn well make sure to shut everyone up about the job he does on the ice. Sometimes being one of the best players in the game isn’t enough to satisfy the critics. Ovechkin will hope his motivation and his leadership can help keep the wolves at the door.