Ovechkin's path cleared to NHL

[swflyers25]

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20040707/ovechkin_82177.jpg

TSN.ca Staff

7/20/2005 4:22:01 PM

Alexander Ovechkin has cleared the way for himself to play in the NHL this season.

TSN has learned the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NHL entry draft has exercised his option to void his contract for this season with Omsk of the Russian Super League. Ovechkin, property of the Washington Capitals, could escape the Russian contract if he were given a contract offer by the Capitals on or before a deadline of July 20 (today). Although the NHL is not yet officially open for business, Washington apparently was able to make some sort of offering that gave Ovechkin the choice to void the contract with Omsk.

And sources say Ovechkin informed the Capitals today that he is, in fact, escaping his commitment to Omsk and wants to play for the Capitals in the NHL this season.

Based on the terms of the new CBA, Ovechkin and the Capitals can officially begin negotating a contract on Saturday. It likely won't be much of a negotiation. As a No. 1 overall pick and potential franchise player, the Capitals will likely give Ovechkin everything he's entitled to as a 2004 draft pick.

Ovechkin is eligible to receive slightly more money than the players who will be drafted in 2005, but not as much as he would have received if he and the Capitals had negotiated a contract prior to the beginning of the lockout.

Technically, there isn't anything to prevent Ovechkin from re-signing with Omsk if he doesn't come to terms with the Capitals, but it's difficult to imagine any scenario where the talented forward isn't wearing a Capitals' uniform this season.

[URL=http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=130940&hubName=nhl]

[bluemeanie]

Ovechiwho?

[Iced Tea]

Technically, there isn't anything to prevent Ovechkin from re-signing with Omsk if he doesn't come to terms with the Capitals, but it's difficult to imagine any scenario where the talented forward isn't wearing a Capitals' uniform this season.
A good scenario is not wanting to play on a crappy Capitals team. :D

[leaferfan87]

Well Thomas Gandler is already wrong on one count it looks like. Ovechkin hasn't played a single game in the NHL and he's already one of my most hated players. His WJC antics clinched that.

[PDO]

Well Thomas Gandler is already wrong on one count it looks like. Ovechkin hasn't played a single game in the NHL and he's already one of my most hated players. His WJC antics clinched that.

Said it before, and I'll say it again...

All fans ever do is complain about a player being dry. Cliche' machines. However, what do we do to a guy the second he isn't one? We rip him apart for being a "hot dog" and "full of himself".

Ovechkin and Kovalchuk are two of the best things to happen to the NHL in a long, long time. Add Malkin to that group as well. These guys are exciting, skilled guys. To compare to the NFL.. would the league really be the same with TO and his antics? Or Moss?

[Newfie John]

Said it before, and I'll say it again...

All fans ever do is complain about a player being dry. Cliche' machines. However, what do we do to a guy the second he isn't one? We rip him apart for being a "hot dog" and "full of himself".

Ovechkin and Kovalchuk are two of the best things to happen to the NHL in a long, long time. Add Malkin to that group as well. These guys are exciting, skilled guys. To compare to the NFL.. would the league really be the same with TO and his antics? Or Moss?

When we say players should liven up a little we didn't mean they should make a mockery of the game. I wish every player would have the guts Roenick has. Too many pukes like Ovechkin is just bad.

[macca]

Said it before, and I'll say it again...

All fans ever do is complain about a player being dry. Cliche' machines. However, what do we do to a guy the second he isn't one? We rip him apart for being a "hot dog" and "full of himself".

Ovechkin and Kovalchuk are two of the best things to happen to the NHL in a long, long time. Add Malkin to that group as well. These guys are exciting, skilled guys. To compare to the NFL.. would the league really be the same with TO and his antics? Or Moss?

You have an argument for sure. But what Ovechkin did during the WJC is just plain scary - He quit on his team the moment he knew that Canada was going to win the gold medal going away. This kid has Alexi Yashin written all over him, and for some reason many young Russian 'self-proclaimed' supers stars have somehow adopted a 'me' only attitude. It will be interesting to see how this kid matures in the NHL.

[PDO]

You have an argument for sure. But what Ovechkin did during the WJC is just plain scary - He quit on his team the moment he knew that Canada was going to win the gold medal going away. This kid has Alexi Yashin written all over him, and for some reason many young Russian 'self-proclaimed' supers stars have somehow adopted a 'me' only attitude. It will be interesting to see how this kid matures in the NHL.

From what I heard, he had a sprained rotator cuff (IIRC.. and I very well may be wrong). Can you really blame him for dropping out of the game? I've personally had one (ironically got it while playing hockey), and played through it because I was on an adrenaline high, but the second that adrenaline was gone.. well, I missed 2 weeks after that.

Also, I believe Leafergan87 was refferring to the taunting of the US bench, but maybe I'm wrong? I thought it was brilliant, as long as he's willing to stand up for his actions.

[macca]

From what I heard, he had a sprained rotator cuff (IIRC.. and I very well may be wrong). Can you really blame him for dropping out of the game? I've personally had one (ironically got it while playing hockey), and played through it because I was on an adrenaline high, but the second that adrenaline was gone.. well, I missed 2 weeks after that.

Also, I believe Leafergan87 was refferring to the taunting of the US bench, but maybe I'm wrong? I thought it was brilliant, as long as he's willing to stand up for his actions.

I'm sure his shoulder was banged up, but it was his theatrics during the game that made me laugh...look at poor hurt little me...I think I'll take off my equipment and go to my dressing room, and then come back, and then sit all by myself on my team bench in my clothes to make sure the camera can spot me. There was a Canadian defenceman, whose name I forget now, who played the last two games with a separated shoulder and you never heard a peep from him. He never left the bench, never looked for the camera and numerous times pointed to his shoulder, and he also never went down to the opposition's net during the pre-game warmup to score on their empty net. That is until Ovechkin was challenged by the Canadian team that he better not pull this stunt at the Gold medal game or face retribution, then he didn't. To me that is not 'backing up his actions'. And I'm sure this is the first time this kid has faced this type of adversity, hopefully he'll learn from it and not turn into another Yashin.