Alexander Ovechkin Archives

Had to go with a Haula picture after his excellent acting as Santa for the Happy Haula-Days skit. (Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Did the Golden Knights get the best from the Washington Capitals last night? Braden Holtby didn’t think so.

We just weren’t mentally prepared to work, skate, or anything. Against a team like that you can talk about them being a first-year team, but you know what they play like. They work, and we didn’t work. -Braden Holtby, Capitals Goaltender

We’ve heard many excuses from losing teams this season, but this is the first time a losing opponent admitted his team wasn’t prepared to play.

There is no excuse for that against any team. -Holtby

Ovechkin said it could’ve been a lot worse, had it not been for his goaltender.

We knew it was going to be hard with back-to-back. Again, I think if not for Holtby it would be like 10-0 at the first period. That’s why he’s one of the best goalies in the league, if not the best goalie in the league. He gave us a chance and we couldn’t come back -Alex Ovechkin, Capitals Captain

Holtby agreed, but gave Vegas the credit.

They did it again, they made him get out of his worn-out lazyboy. Its time again for everyone’s least-favorite uncle, Uncle Sour. Just like his frustration from the Claude Julien and Daryl Sutter to Vegas reactions, the overreaction of a possible Alex Ovechkin to the Golden Knights trade is getting silly. I ask one simple question, does it make sense for Vegas or Washington?

That’s a team (Vegas) that can take anybody. But what are they going to give. That’s the problem, they have nothing to give. If ownership is ready for that, there’s your chance. Here’s your chance and it’s not coming every year. –Renaud Lavoie, Sportsnet

Lavoie suggests the Golden Knights are a open for other team’s trash. The idea of an expansion team taking “anybody” is bad business, especially for the future development of the franchise. The team is blessed with a fresh cap, why would they want to instantly weigh it down with a contract like Ovechkin’s? Lavoie also mentioned Vegas would have nothing to trade back. Which is another reason this deal won’t happen. The organization has plenty to offer but it’s not mortgaging the future for a 31-year-old winger. The former Caps GM was brought to Las Vegas to build a wining franchise long term, not a three-year fading All-Star team.

https://twitter.com/iancmclaren/status/862517240117288962

What other GM in the NHL will be given the leeway to build a roster like McPhee? He knows this and will be patient building a wining franchise. Sending future first-round picks to the Capitals for their HoF sniper is goes against the strategy he’s been preaching since he first got here. Possibly, in a few years when McPhee’s sitting on a potential playoff team Ovechkin could make sense. By then, his contract length will be much more manageable and the price tag on Ovi will have gone way down.

Praise Be To Foley, Vegas Golden Knights Hockey Website

Tag: Alexander Ovechkin

Instead, Washington Was The Flat Team; We’re OK With That

Alexander Ovechkin Coming To Vegas… NOT