Ovi-rated

Alex Ovechin is overrated. He is not the best hockey player in the world and he will never be the best player in the world. Alex Ovechin is one of the most if not the most exciting player in the world. Ovechin plays a fast, hard hitting game that brings you out of your seat. Ovechin is the most charismatic player in the game. But he does not play a consistent game. He also plays the least important position on the ice. Unfortunately Alex has become somewhat of a powerplay specialist.

I am not and will never be an Ovechin hater and I regularly defend him against the small minded people who hate him because he’s Russian or he doesn’t play on their NHL team. I love watching him play. The puck on his stick or when you see him zeroing in on a big check are two of the best things the NHL has to sell, but those do not make you the best player in hockey. Ovechin is the best power play scorer in the league and probably the best sniper in the game, not the leagues best player.

Holding Ovi back from being the best player in the league are a few things. One , he’s a winger, by nature it’s the least important position on the ice. Two,  Ovi doesn’t not take defense seriously his plus minus is -17, which ranks him 698. That is a disgrace. Three, he only plays a physical game sometimes. Usually at the beginning of games or when he’s pissed. Now his hits are explosive and make the highlight reels but they usually put him out of position and face it when Ovi is running around hitting people he’s not doing what he does best, scoring. Four, he is somewhat predictable, that is why he was in a slump for over a year. Teams had figured him out. He’s back scoring again with the help of his coach Adam Oates. Oates made Ovi  switch sides 5 on 5 and moves him around more on the power play. Ovi still can’t create his own offense like other elite players. He’s creates a fantastic shot off the rush but not chessboard tic tac toe / give and go plays like other superstars. All of these  is not a knock on Ovi just the facts.

When comparing best players in the world comparing forwards to defensemen to goalies is wrong. So let’s just compare forwards. If you judge the best player by who GMs would pick to start a franchise there’s at least a half dozen centers ahead of him, which plays into centers  being a more valuable position than winger but also the one trick pony aspect to Ovi’s game. While you won’t want to start a franchise with him he’s the first player you’d pick to be on your power play. Ovi is like a great power hitter who bats .240 and can’t play defense. You want him to bat when you need a homer but not a single and you definitely don’t want him to play the field. The best description of  Ovi is he’s hockey’s best designated hitter. Hitting in baseball is like scoring in hockey it’s very important but it’s not EVERYTHING. Enjoy Alex. Watch him on tv. Buy a ticket to see him play.The man with the yellow laces is amazing, just not the best player in the NHL.