Lost in all this commotion about Sidney Crosby and his concussion, neck injury, mis-diagnosis has been the amazing vanishing act of Alex Ovechkin. On pace of a staggering 64 points he has become a shell of his former goal-scoring, body-checking, highlight-reel-making, human stick of dynamite. Calling him a shell is tough seeing as he is actually fatter than ever in addition to his underachieving.
Everyone assumes he will be back. That he is hurt and will heal, he is burnt out and will rebound. However, even with THAT much talent, nothing is guaranteed in the NHL. Just like in Hollywood. The question is how will this story end? Is AO Drew Barrymore or Lindsay Lohan?
For brevity sake I am hoping that you know their life stories. If not understand this. Both were perceived to be immensly talented. Both encountered drugs, trouble with the law and were early flameouts. Drew was almost destroyed, but has bounced back to being bigger, stronger and richer than she ever was see here . Lindsay well . . . see here .
Can Ovie Score 60 again? Will Lindsay Lohan ever look younger than 60 again?
So here is a quick and dirty scenario where Ovie's career could end up matching the professional life either starlet.
Ovie = Drew
After taking time during the All Star break and his current suspenion Ovechkin comes back strong in the second half of the season. He leads the Capitals to the playoffs and right into the Conference finals where he falls to the Bruins in Game 6 at home.
In the offseason he regroups. He moves in with Vladislav Tretiak and comes to camp ripped, ready and rockin' again. He charisma reappears. He leads the league in goals and plus minus. His play propels Nicklas Backstrom to be the league MVP. Within three years the Capitals win the Stanley Cup and his rivalry with Crosby is restored through several playoff battles. Then NHL sees rating climb and as a result is forced to allow NHL players to play in the next Olympics to placate AO. The Caps are a juggernaut and Alex is a beloved mega-star again.
Which way to the buffet?
Ovie = Lindsay
Ovechkin spends the All Star break and suspension in Las Vegas. He is hooked up to rotating IVs of vodka and turkey fat. After a 37 hour blackjack marathon he waddles to his limo. Heads to the airport where he punches the driver, slaps a flight attendant and urinates in a fans lap. The NHL brushes it off citing the stress due to his suspension. He spends the rest of the year cruising the neutral zone and cracking jokes about Dale Hunter. The offseason is spent in Japan signing autographs and living of Tempura Snickers bars.
He arrives at camp heavy again and collapses during the walk up the stairs to complete his baseline tests. He is suspended by the team. He gets nailed on a DUI, a shocking turn as he has had a sparkling criminal record to this point. He refuses assignment to the AHL for a conditioning stint. Has another run in with the law. Finishes the season with 37 points. As the Olympics in Russia get closer he announces his intention to play. The NHL digs their heels in and an eventual lawsuit breaks out. Finally, it is solved out of court, but while in his homeland he is signed by a KHL team. Another messy lawsuit takes place. Once it is finalized Ovechkin continues his career in the KHL. He has a solid, but unspectacular career there and never plays another NHL game again?
Who do you think Ovechkin is?
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