I met with Alex yesterday.
We shook hands, laughed and then we hugged. He had no limp in his gait. He could play on Thursday if needed. End of worry about his health.
Alex is a wonderful kid, raised the right way and with the right value system.
He listens the most to his mom and dad and brother. I trust his family as they have great instincts and the right motives in mind always.
Isn’t that the best place to get good solid advice?
We had a short and direct conversation.
Alex isn’t trying to hurt anyone. He has an honest respect for the game and for all players in the league. Alex is trying to “get the puck. I just want what they have and that is the puck.” It is a simple logic. He plays the game the way it was designed. He is just bigger and faster than anyone. Can you name a player in NHL history that has this mix of size, skill, power and speed? I can’t.
Alex does play fast and hard. It is why he is beloved. It is why he is the two-time and reigning MVP of the league.
I believe if he changes and becomes a player that is managed by the media or fans or anyone else, he will put himself at risk. ” To thine own self be true.” That is the right motto to live by. That is what I have advised Alex. Be authentic and be respectful. Play the game with passion. Lean in, don’t lean back. Love the game. Have fun. Win.
He has managed his game, his body and his career wonderfully to date. He has a great support infrastructure around him. He knows that his teammates, his coaches, his front office and ownership have his back. I support Alex 110%. I told his mom and dad at the draft that I would treat Alex like he was a second son and I have and will continue to do so.
Alex knows that he is needed on the ice. His teammates and the fans respect him and want him on the ice. I believe Alex is so smart and so intuitive that he will measure and modify - in his own way - his game to become even more valuable to our team and franchise as he matures.
Alex will miss the next two games.
Life will go on.
Our team has lots of depth as we have shown.
Alex will return.
As will the rest of our injured players.
I promised our fans that we would be scary good one day. I believe that time is near. I want to see how well we will play when we have our full lineup on the ice. Til then - Go Caps!
Tags: Alex Ovechkin, Hockey, Ted Leonsis, Ted's Take, Washington Capitals
@ Jon
Yes, Ovie is not playing the puck when he hits. Duh! He’s playing the body. Ever heard of this term, “coach”? Hits are allowed in hockey. If you were really involved in the game for 30 years you would know this.
And yes, he absolutely is one of the best ever. Anyone who actually is involved in hockey has said that. If you actually knew the game as well as you claim you would agree.
@ Trent
The reason Eric Lindros’ career was cut short is because he never got out of his junior habit of skating through center ice with his head down. He got used to doing that in junior because of his enormous advantage in size and strength. Once he got to the NHL this habit resulted in him getting absolutely destroyed a few times, which lead to his concussion problems. Ovie always keeps his head up and sees hits coming. It’s the reason all these threats to put him in his place have not materialized. Every time I’ve seen someone try to lay him out he sees them coming and the aggressor ends up getting the worst of it.
Ted,
Thanks for everything you do and take the time to say. I agree with everything you said in this post, as I usually do.
To those who have posted to this saying that OVI is a dirty player, PLEASE! If you want to see a dirty play/player look at what happened in the Caps vs. FLA game last night. After a totally good clean hit, Alexander Giroux was attacked from behind coming up the ice away from the FLA bench. That is the kind of things that needs to be taken out of this great game. Not a hit like OVI had in which he is leading with his body and the guy moves out of the way at the last split second, these things will happen. While it looked bad and can cause injury it happens and like one person suggested “what should we do just take hitting altogether out of the game!?” OVI plays the game as hard and with more intensity then just about anyone in the game today and is something that can not be changed.
For those who have said that you are wrong or stupid for comparing OVI to the greatest to ever play, chill out! In my opinion I agree with you Ted, but I think we should all just wait and see when OVI is done playing where he ranks.
First in the division and First in the EAST!
LET’S GO CAPS!!!!!
That hit was clean. I spent 20 years playing this game and have seen many things go wrong that started right. The Fla. player tried to avoid the hit and his knee hit Ovi on the inside. The damage was done to Ovi from his knee. Ove was out for the game and hurt. Gleason returned to the game with no injury. Whose knee hit who?
Years ago I was fortunate to be able to play with some Caps and let me tell you their speed is awesome. When you combine their speed with someone who has the same speed you can get into a lethal confrontation in a heartbeat.
For guys like that SI writer with a weak stomach maybe they should stick to Golf or Synchronized Swimming.
@IRockTheRed
You can’t get the sarcasm from an excerpt of the play. Get to know the character as a whole.