Ovechkin benched

[Mel]

But no one will say why...

Lundqvist for Calder!!! :nod:

The Capitals seemed flat for much of the game, disappointing coach Glen Hanlon.

"I felt that that was one of the few games that we didn't give a winning effort," Hanlon said.

Hanlon also kept Alexander Ovechkin out for the first part of the third period and about 14 consecutive minutes going back to late in the second. Neither Hanlon or Ovechkin wanted to talk much about it.

"It was coach's decision," Ovechkin said. "I'm OK. It was his decision and I'm OK."

Said Hanlon: "I'm going to respectfully decline to answer it. It's a decision that we made internally that we needed to do. I'm choosing not to discuss it."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=260320023

[MadDevil]

Well, at least Ovechkin didn't start bitching about having to pay for his own hotel and meals.:D

[Newfie John]

I'm pleasantly surprised with Ovechkins attitude. After his display at the WJC's I hated him, but he's slowly turning into my favourite player.

[wildboy26]

The coach should be fired for benching Ovechkin for any period of time. He is the best player on that team by light years and galaxies.

[Newfie John]

The coach should be fired for benching Ovechkin for any period of time. He is the best player on that team by light years and galaxies.

I disagree. Sometimes players need a kick in the arse so to speak. Also, it may be a strategy by the coach to get his players going and showing that the coach means business. It worked, Ovechkin scored on his first shift back out.

[KB in Kelowna]

The coach should be fired for benching Ovechkin for any period of time. He is the best player on that team by light years and galaxies.
If your best player is not a team player then your team is not going anywhere. Perhaps Ovechkin should demand a trade for being disrespected?:rolleyes:



BTW that was sarcasm on my part.

[KB in Kelowna]

Still waiting for an answer as to why Glen Hanlon deserves to be fired?

[wildboy26]

Still waiting for an answer as to why Glen Hanlon deserves to be fired?

It was an intentionaly hyperbolic statement, I did not literaly mean I thought he should be fired. I still think benching your star player like that if he is healthy is nuts, Crosby would NEVER be benched probably for example. Or could you imagine Sundin benched in TO, Gagne or Forsberg benched in Philly, Jagr benched in New York, Joe benched in either Boston or San Jose?

[MadDevil]

It was an intentionaly hyperbolic statement, I did not literaly mean I thought he should be fired. I still think benching your star player like that if he is healthy is nuts, Crosby would NEVER be benched probably for example. Or could you imagine Sundin benched in TO, Gagne or Forsberg benched in Philly, Jagr benched in New York, Joe benched in either Boston or San Jose?

If the coach is trying to make a point, what should it matter of you're a star player or not? Do star players deserve different treatment simply because they're more talented? And if so, what kind of message does it send to the team if the coach treats one player differently than another?

Ovechkin doesn't seem to have minded being benched, as he finished the season 3rd in goals and points.:nod:

[Mel]

Mike Keenan benched Brian Leetch (the eventual Conn Smythe winner) in game 4 of the Eastern conference finals against New Jersey.

That whole Keenan situation sat teetering on the brink of explosion right through to the end. It's no surprise he was gone a short time later.


Now then, I need to look this up -> 'intentionaly hyperbolic' :shrug:

:laughing:


edit: man I just read that back and realized that was 12 years ago. Do I live in the past or what? :laughing:

[wildboy26]

Ovechkin doesn't seem to have minded being benched, as he finished the season 3rd in goals and points.:nod:

Yet was outscored by about 10 points by Crosby in the last 3 weeks or so. :laughing:

[wildboy26]

Mike Keenan benched Brian Leetch (the eventual Conn Smythe winner) in game 4 of the Eastern conference finals against New Jersey.

That whole Keenan situation sat teetering on the brink of explosion right through to the end. It's no surprise he was gone a short time later.


Well it worked for his team, and he was still fired over it in the end. Doesnt that come around to the danger of benching a star player though?

[MadDevil]

Yet was outscored by about 10 points by Crosby in the last 3 weeks or so. :laughing:

Which has what to do with Ovechkin being benched?:confused:

[wildboy26]

Which has what to do with Ovechkin being benched?:confused:

You were the one who said it didnt affect him in an adverse way did it, after the fact. I am just pointing out he did not end the year like a house on fire the way some other players did for what it is worth. :D

Ovechkin doesn't seem to have minded being benched, as he finished the season 3rd in goals and points.

Your words, not mine.