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Right now, he has 422 goals in nine seasons. That's tied for 74th. If he averages 40 goals a year for the next three years, he'll be at 542 at 32 which would be 30th. If he can still put up 25-30 goals at 34-35, he'll be at 600+ easily. 600 would put him in the top 20. But the question is, can he stay healthy and at a high level for that long? This past season was his first 50 goal season since '10.
He needs to work on his defense. A career worst -35 last season. There were only 2 players worse in the entire league.
Did that hinder the Capitals from getting into the playoffs last season? It didn't help.
Hopefully he will get better linemates next season. Backstrom needs to be his full time center and I think that will happen with new coach Barry Trotz. Jay Beagle as his center last season was not a good fit. He's not cutting it at this level.
Ovechkin will get way more than "40" next season. Closer to 60 I predict. 120 goals in the next 3 years will be a disappointment to me.
He needs to get that +/- down. He was a minus player 2012-2013 as well.
Ovechkin gets paid to score goals so he'll always be a liability on defense... maybe as he gets older he'll start to gain a more defensive awareness but goal scoring is all they really want him to do.
At the pace he's going and as long as he remains fairly healthy he shouldn't really have an issue getting to the 700 mark in my opinion. Oh... and you can't forget about those pesky lockouts that take time away from players too, always a concern in hockey.
I'd like to see him at least over 500 goals (which is likely) as well as him winning the Stanley Cup.
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Originally Posted by Buzz Bee
Which is unlikely.
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Originally Posted by budgetlord
If he stays with Washington. I'm hoping he'll pull a Ray Bourque...win a Cup late in his career.
Ovechkin's best opportunities winning the Stanley Cup will not be with Washington. The Capitals are moving forward to build a better team with younger players. This should take a season or two. If Ovechkin lands with a consistent playoff bound team, he can help on scoring to get deep to the Stanley Cup finals.
Ovechkin's best opportunities winning the Stanley Cup will not be with Washington. The Capitals are moving forward to build a better team with younger players. This should take a season or two. If Ovechkin lands with a consistent playoff bound team, he can help on scoring to get deep to the Stanley Cup finals.
Although I do agree that I do not think Ovechkin will win with Washington, not understanding the comment about "building a better team with younger players". Ovechkin is 29... still quite young. Furthermore he's under contract until the 2021 season and even though he has a No Trade Clause and can be traded to certain teams he wishes, I just don't foresee the Caps trading him or Ovie wanting to leave.
Taking his plus/minus stat out of the equation, he's no doubt the teams best player. If they want him to continue the style of play that he does then they need to put players around him that'll make up for his lack of defense. Overall this team gives up way too much goals, whether Ovie is on the ice or not. So until the Caps fix their defensive problems, they'll continue to be an average to barely above average team going forward.
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