Will more ice time fix Alex Ovechkin's career slump?
Ovi is looking sharp, hopefully he will be as sharp on ice tonight!
What do you think about Ilya Nikulin's advice on giving Alex Ovechkin more ice time?
At first you think, oh well, what he knows about the NHL back there, in Russia. But when you think of it, there's a big chance more ice time can jump-start Ovechkin career again. That's what Sergei Fedorov always demanded, playing for Red Wings. Scotty Bowman balanced it with letting Fedorov playing both on power play and short-handed. As a result, Fedorov routinely could get more ice time than even most of defenceman. After Bowman left, Lewis cut Fedorov's time and that was unforgiven, Fedorov signed his next contract with Ducks.
Anyhow, I think Bruce Boudreau should experiment with playing Ovi in short-handed situations. First of all, Ovi will get more ice-time that can rejuvenate his career. Second, he will improve his defensive side of the game. Yeah, there's a chance he could get hurt by blocking shots, but if you don't want to take risks, don't fly.
Ovi, BB talk to media before the game in Winnipeg
Ovi:
I think about it all the time what I have to do differently [to score more goals]
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New coach. I said it one I'll say it again. I'm not saying I think BB is a bad horrible coach, you can't discredit what he's accomplished BUT for the Caps and Ovie to be where they need to be a new coach is needed.
may be Ovi's prime has passed ...
I think there's something to it. I think this also applies to Semin. He needs to play on the penalty kill and the power play more. He plays better when he's involved in more aspects of the game. It gets him going. He's said himself that it's harder to get into a rhythm with less time and sitting too long. Balance is nice, but I think Ovi and Semin might be performing better with more time and varied responsibilities.
I asked on another thread if reduced ice time might have a negative impact on the Caps star players. I suggested that instead of giving them fresh legs, it led to bad habits like laziness because they lost their focus and purpose. Ovie and Semin could benefit from more ice time. Semin already kills penalties, so why not give Ovie the opportunity to develop the defensive side of his game? Maybe not in a close game, but Boudreau could experiment late in a game with the Caps in the lead and in position to have to kill a penalty. Maybe the increased ice time--and with it the added responsibilities that go with it--will rejuvenate Ovie and get him going offensively.
@O: this gets back to your answer to my questions about Ovie's up and down season. You make excellent points about the factors that could be wearing down Ovie's energy. Developing the skills to be more defensively responsible might help solve some of his problems. IMO it's worth a try.
Fedorov was a rare breed of hockey player, one who could be stellar on offense or defense. Ovi does not have that versatility.
As another poster mentioned, Semin should have some PK time. Keeping him off the PK is the wrong sort of punishment and it overuses the other PKers. Yes, he might take a penalty, but he is good at killing penalties and it helps his wishy washy mind stay focused.
Ovi's defense sucks. Semin, on another, has very good defensive talents, it's a matter of commitment with him.
@O: if Ovie doesn't possess the skill set to be good both offensively and defensively, then what do you suggest he do to get out of his slump? You already articulated very well the reasons why he is down. What are your recommendations to snap out of it?
Many sites list various reasons, but do not give how it can be fixed. Or they simply think Ovi should be able to automatically adjust. That may not be the case. He may need to be shown what he needs to do. Practice and with time it will come. I agree with Marge BB needs to go. He points that accountability finger at everyone but himself. He looks so clueless anymore. I found a funny article through Google called life cycle of an NHL coach. If this is even half true where it looks like we are at in the BB cycle he won't finish the year. Also for those that love bearded ovi check out sick, unbelievable for there fun petition to have ovi shred his Gillette contract.
@BobbyG,
When he's vulnerable like he is now, I wish he could be protected from the pressure and unreasonable expectations. Not really possible in a world of non-stop media and fans jumping on players when they stumble/slump.
On the team level, the team's identity needs to be redefined and a system created that fits the players' strengths and hides their weaknesses. Have an alternative or two in place so that if something isn't working plan B or C can be used. This goes for PP, PK and individual players and the way they play.
Communication needs to improve between players and coaches and players. There seems like a lot of confusion lately and not just because there are new teammates.
You know what caught my attention during the whole "Ovi was benched/not really" hoopla? Bruce didn't have the courtesy to tell Ovi he wasn't playing in the final minute. Ovi had to ask and Bruce brushed him off. That isn't the way a coach should handle his players. Clear communication is needed at all times.
I think Brouwer and Knuble should split top line duty. Knuble cleans up Ovi's rebounds better, but Brouwer can generate his own scoring chances.
Have Ovi go to the net more often. I don't think he has been near the net as often as he was at the beginning of the season. He's big, he's strong, he has speed and can develop a skill set similar to Knuble = net crasher.
When carrying the puck, get it at least to the faceoff circles. Too many players, not just Ovi, are stopping just past the blue line. They do this in practice too so I can only assume it is a coaching decision. Stopping so close to the blue line usually means the puck will be back in the neutral zone and an opportunity in the other team's zone is lost.
If the team is supposed to be deeper, why is the pressure to score still on him? Where are the contributions from the other lines? That being said, shoot when you have the chance. Passing might be generous but don't do it when you are the one with the scoring chance.
On the Ovi level, there are some mental things he needs to learn how to handle. Frustrations have to be shaken off quickly during a game. He doesn't play well when he's frustrated.
It might be time for a less extreme stick blade, one that allows him to control his shot and the puck better.
His accuracy is still off. Last year it looked like a confidence issue. This year I've started wondering if he needs an eye exam. He's at that age where eyesight begins to deteriorate even if you don't notice it in daily life.
Make defenders keep their distance by bringing some of the physicality back into his play.
He needs to work on stick handling year round - during team practice and on his own. He said in the past that he needed to work on it, so work on it. It should help him maintain contol of the puck in different situations. Maybe some of his favorite moves will become crisp again.
During the summer, I would like to see him work on shooting the puck like he did when he was a kid, repetitious and disciplined. Work on accuracy while standing still and while moving. Set up screens, block off parts of the net. Work on as many shooting styles and scenarios as possible from many areas of the ice.
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, it's ok to enjoy yourself during a game even if you're the captain. When Ovi has that sparkle everything seems possible.
I'm with Marge. People say "this should be done or this is what Ovi and Sasha should do," but all that is BB's job. Whether is more time on ice, new positions, tactics, penalty kill and power play all these are the decisions that a coach makes in order to help them improve their game.
@Vic:
Don't you think is too early? I mean is not like he got injured or he is too old that can play well anymore.
How is Ovi going to kill penalties when he is usually the one taking the stupid ones?
@O: thank you for your thoughtful and thorough response to my question. Yes, I agree, there are some things Ovie can do for himself, and working on his stick handling is an excellent suggestion. Some other things, like not playing well when frustrated, might be helped by what I already suggested, that he consult a sports psychologist to help Ovie shake off his frustrations so it won't hinder his game.
One thing you mentioned, the lack of communication, is disturbing to me. Your description of how Boudreau handled Ovie's benching is shocking. IMO this indicates lack of respect on Boudreau's part, and not at all conducive to :a good player-coach relationship. If something is going on between BB and Ovie, and Boudreau is messing around with Ovie's head, no wonder Ovie is in a slump. :(
First, let OVIE be OVIE - let him play his offensive game instead of "teaching" him defence. You don't teach a pure goal scorer and an amazing talent like Ovie get away from his natural instincts and learn something he is not used to. If he learns defence during the course of his career, so be it. But, they didn't draft him for defence. Let the defence do its job. Am I the only one who notices minimum two to three players everytime he has a puck - so, someone is free - why not focus on that instead of saying the other teams have adjusted. The other teams have adjusted by sending additional players solely to cover Ovie - so, BB should adjust by using his extra player(s). I am a Caps STH only because of OVIE and can tell you there is no other player in the league that is as exciting as he is - inspite of his so called "down" year(s). Every single time he touches a puck, there is anticipation - name any other player out there who brings that excitement. Every shift in itself energizes everyone in the team and the crowd. So, keep that energy flowing.
Second, boost your star player's confidence (include Semin here) by showing respect to these extraordinary athletes by having their back no matter what - especially in public and in-game situations. Deal with issues behind close doors. Every athelete has off and on days (speaking from experience) - you will have more "on" days if your confidence is high and vice versa. Confidence grows when you know the team and everyone else is buying in your commitment and it drops just as easily when they question it. The issue here is not the star players but the coaching and the management who must mend their ways. It may be a team sport, but a great player can make a difference (Chicago Bulls of MJ time/Current Colts). Let a great player be great by tuning your system to his strength and not taking away from it. As the player matures, other aspects of the game may grow, but don't force it at the expense of the inherent strength.
Third, pay attention to cultural values. What Ovie said to benching - he was last benched when he was 13 or something - he was expressing hurt to his pride. It may be just a soundbite for most, but the hurt is expressed in it and it cannot be understood by someone who grew up in the USA (speaking from experience). Different cultures have different values - one thing about Russian and many other nations' star athletes is their pride in what they do - respect that and deal with problems in a culturally sensitive way. Why do you think having Federov helped Caps during that one season? Why do you think Ovie wants to win an Olympic medal (other than SC) so badly - it is that deep pride!
Everyone seems to focus on mostly tangible issues which are generally addressed by working physically on hockey skills but the intangibles require more than just hockey skills. This is where the Coach (BB) fails - with all respect to him with his record, etc., he is a hockey guy and seems to lack everything else. Time to change the coach, the talent may get wasted under his watch - and get a Russian counselor on the team to give some stress relief to the russian stars.
My four cents (two cents doesn't cut it any more; due to inflation - which probably has doubled in the last few years -for example gas went from less than $2 to almost $4).
@Anonymous,
Ovi isn't the one who takes lots of bad penalties. That player is Semin. For how physical Ovi has been on the ice his penalties are low. Sometimes when he is in the box he is serving someone else's penalty, not his own. Maybe that is what has you confused (or trolling).
@ BobbyG,
How could I have forgotten the main continuing problem of the PP. Bruce still doesn't have it working consistently. It is the PP that builds scorers point totals. With the talent on the Caps it should work regularly even when Green isn't playing.
@reksrags, this wasn't his first benching since he was 13. That might have been the time that stood out for him but Bruce has had him sit for his normal shifts before and Hanlon did a time or two. Since the media didn't jump all over it before they probably are forgotten.
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