Oy-Vey-chkin Raises Eyebrows…AGAIN.

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For starters, I’d like to thank VFMS for inviting me to contribute to a site that’s such a joy to read.  That said, it’s maybe less than ideal to have one’s first blog post on any site be in response to such a hot button topic as this one, but then again,  that’s why we’re all here, isn’t it?  As my bio says, I live in Chicago and am a lifelong Blackhawks fan, so I can understand why my points might seem biased, as the issue at hand partly centers around the team to which I pledge my allegiance.  However, I have done my best to assess this situation as a fan of the sport as well as my hometown team.  I will always welcome your comments, and today is no different.

Alexander Ovechkin is an absolutely thrilling player to watch, no matter where your rooting interest lies.  Not only is he one of the NHL’s top skill players, but he’s also built like a zamboni.  The problem?  His play often resembles that of the Tazmanian Devil more than a professional hockey player.

One of these guys has a broken clavicle. The other one is named Alexander Ovechkin.

As a hockey fan, I, for the most part, enjoy watching Ovechkin play.  He has an unquestionable drive and love for the game that, combined with his incomparable talent, makes him the force to be reckoned with in the National Hockey League.  I was very excited at the prospect of seeing him play live again this past Sunday in Chicago.  Unfortunately, Number 8 chose that afternoon to display the least desirable part of his game.

Ovechkin has always played at the absolute edge of control.  At times he seems to fling himself around the ice with little regard for physical limitations.  I won’t deny that he has a palpable passion for hockey, but a large part (read: requirement) of the game is playing within the rules.  His hit on Brian Campbell Sunday in Chicago and the ensuing suspension is a perfect example of this.  Campbell had released the puck and was peeling off in the opposite direction when he was “escorted” into the endboards by Ovechkin just over 12 minutes into the first period.  Granted, both players were chasing the puck, and Ovechkin didn’t come from 50 feet away or get his elbows up at all.  But the situation and hit were highly dangerous and deserved review from the league.

While in this writer’s opinion the play surely warranted a penalty and (arguably) a misconduct, Alex Ovechkin isn’t a “dirty player”, which is a term that has been tossed in his direction quite often lately (especially by Blackhawks faithful). He’s extremely talented, entertaining, and borderline reckless at times, but I wouldn’t call him “dirty”.  However, he needs to be shown that such abandon will not come without discipline.  For the Washington Capitals, a 2-game suspension for Ovechkin doesn’t really matter.  They have all but clinched home-ice advantage in the conference, and losing Ovechkin will most likely not jeopardize that.  I want him to continue to play in the NHL, but if he insists on playing so irresponsibly, I feel his career may be marred by suspension and possibly injury.  A large part of being one of the elite is knowing the line between passion and recklessness, and it seems that Alex needs a clearer definition of said delineation.

The officials Sunday faced a tough decision as they tossed out (arguably) the league’s most electrifying player in a nationally televised affair.  That is child’s play compared to what the zebras would have to tackle should this kind of thing happen in the postseason.  Serious injuries are definitely an inherent part of the game, but in this case, it could have been avoided.

I’d like to hear what you all think on the matter.  And until next time…

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You can find Ryan Hackett on Twitter at @hawknut. Aside from Twitter, you can find Ryan writing about the Blackhawks at Crash The Crease and any other thoughts on his personal page.