The NHL will not make a big issue if Ovechkin won't attend ASG
Via Stephen Whyno from TSN.CA "Insider Trading":
"The word out of Washington tonight is that at this point Alexander Ovechkin does not want to go to the All-Star weekend as a suspended player," Bob McKenzie said. "No firm decision's been made on anything, but all accounts would lead us to believe that there will be some decisions in Washington [Tuesday] with the Capitals, with Ovechkin about this issue. I would bet right now that Alexander Ovechkin's going to want to withdraw from the NHL All-Star Game."
McKenzie went on to say, "The sense seems to be that the NHL would not make a big issue if Alexander Ovechkin said he were uncomfortable being at All-Star Weekend as a suspended player."
"I would be absolutely shocked if Alex Ovechkin ends up going to All-Star game in Ottawa," added Bob McKenzie.
Darren Dreger: "Lidstrom and Selanne also declined the invitation to ASG this year."
Watch it on TSN: Will a suspended Alex Ovechkin opt out of the All-Star game? Our Insider's discuss.
Now this tweet by Katie right before it was announced that Ovi got 3 game suspension makes sense:
I guess Ovi got upset and told GMGM that he doesn't want to go to ASG. GMGM told him to calm down and get back together Tuesday morning. I wouldn't be suprprised if Ovi already has booked the flight to Australia. Two weeks in Australia with beauty girlfriend instead of cold Ottawa? Awesome.
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Update:
Strong statement from Ted Leonsis:
I do not agree in any way with the suspension of Alex Ovechkin for 3 games. I support Alex Ovechkin. He is our bedrock player – our Captain; and he and his family know that we are always here to support him.
The decision has been made; and George McPhee will address the media today with our thoughts and concerns about the suspension.
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9 comments:
Ovie doesn't want to go to the ASG as a suspended player, and the NHL won't penalize him? Fine. Let him take the break to rest and relax. However, as I posted on another thread, it's no excuse to take a 2 week vacation, not being around the team, while the Caps battle in 3 tough games while he's out. He's the Captain, he's THE LEADER BY EXAMPLE. He can't have it both ways, wanting the C but catering to his own personal agenda while the Caps face adversity with him out of the lineup. Personally, I hope he does the right thing for the team and is there to support and encourage them during this tough part of the schedule.
I went to the Hockey and Heels event tonight at Verizon Center. Alan May said if he was Ovi, he wouldn't go to the ASG. Also he implied that McPhee left on purpose to avoid speaking to the press (implied he was upset).
Orlov was so shy, he barely spoke and was wearing Uggs, which looked quite odd. Wideman told us women to make fun of Orlov for wearing those boots and it was something we'd wear.
We all got posed pics with Sasha, he didn't speak either although he put his arm around you and attempted to smile (I think it must have killed Sasha to take pics with so many fans). Vokoun was fairly quiet as well but he did respond to questions. Wideman was the chatty one but I wasn't in his line.
It was very fun to see the behind the scenes at Verizon. I got to see Ovi's yellow shoelaces in the store room, and his locker stall, and his sticks, and his special supply of gum.
BobbyG--
I realize you're a regular poster on here, but I think you need to get your facts straight.
While Ovi is suspended, he is not allowed to practice with the team. He can't be in the lockerroom either during gametime. So there is no captaining he can be doing while suspended.
tj
I think you hit the nail on the head once again. I'll bet Ovi was very upset and said he wasn't going and GMGM went after him and told him to calm down.
That said, Ovi is completely correct in NOT going. It would be stupid to go. Why would the NHL even allow it?
@D: I didn't say Ovie should practice with the team, just be there for encouragement and support. And even if he can't be in the locker room, he can still go to the games and watch from a box or suite. He can still be there to go out with the guys after games and practices. That's what a Captain does if he wants to lead by example. There is captaining he can do even if he doesn't play.
So yes, Ovie can still opt out of the ASG. But I think it's critical that GMGM wants to talk about it with him Tuesday morning. IMO GMGM wants to let cooler heads prevail and delay a definite decision until the shock and disappointment wear off. GMGM wants Ovie to decide in a calm, not emotional state of mind or out of spite to get back at the NHL.
I won't mind if he doesn't go to the ASG and the events. He wasn't voted in by the fans, he was selected by the NHL. Also, he could use the break to rest and relax. But as team Captain IMO he has a responsibilty to his teammates to be present, especially for the 3 critical games he is suspended, just to let them know he is still their leader.
2 years ago in one of my college classes I got completely screwed by a group member in Avery big assignment, it all got very nasty and I ended up cursing the guy out in front of the whole class and my teacher and storming out, I called my mon and she told me I had to calm down and go back to class, to sit there and then apologize after class. I was so mortified I couldn't images going back after what I said, no one would want me there, the teacher would probably fail me, but I made a mistake and I went back in. Everyone respected me for coming back and showing up to finish, the teacher even worked something out.
My point is there are times when we make mistakes and sometimes the consequences after don't seem fair but you have to own up and be the bigger person. I don't agree with Ovies suspension and I think he deserves to be at the ASG. I think this would be a great opportunity for him to show he lives the game, the fans and to be a role model. Sure people will always criticize him but if he goes to the ASG, has fun he can really prove something to people and to himself.
I do agree that comments will be made today after there has been time to cool down. The decision to wait is a great idea. As for the ASG Ovi had mentioned before the NHL selected him that he had already planned a vacation. It almost seemed like he was looking forward to the time off most players get during this time. When the NHL selected him to go he put those plans on hold and said he would go to the ASG. Knowing that he will have such full negative media attention if he goes I don't blame him at all if he chooses not to attend.
Truth is he is once again in a position that he is darned if you do and darned if you don't. If he goes stuff will be said and if he doesn't go stuff will be said. As a fan I stand by whatever choice he makes.
@BobbyG:
I don't think things work that way, but you are right he should be there for those games even if it is on the press box or whatever.
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I think he shouldn't go the ASG. First, He was not voted by the fans instead the NHL wants him there and I think we shouldn't give a crap about what the NHL wants now.
Second, Ovi is going there as a "bad guy." There is going to be a lot of negative stuff surrounding him and I don't think he is going to have fun there.
I don't know why but I have a bad feeling about him going to the ASG.
I'd like to correct my earlier statement BobbyG, apparently Ovi was at practice today and stayed after to get in more work. I'm prety sure last time he was suspended he wasn't able to practice with the team. Maybe it was just that he wasn't able to be in the lockerroom on game night.
Anyway, wanted to clarify that I was wrong.
And I agree with Devi about having a bad feeling if Ovi goes to the ASG. If he doesn't, people will say he's being a baby. But if he does go, people will say he wanted all of the attention and he took someone else's spot.
It's a no-win situation.
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