684 replies to this topic

[JeremyStrain]

Maybe he gets too much criticism by the haters who don't really understand hockey, but he certainly isn't unworthy of at least some criticism. He's been way too inconsistent and a "me" guy. 

 

He is worthy of some, but much like MW he doesn't walk on water, he's just a hockey player. People expect him to be the best player in the league every season and it's just too much hype. He had a couple down years and now everyone wants to jump on every little thing he does, but the same people were willing to give Semin a pass for being so lazy and taking stupid penalties because he scored goals. It's just frustrating to me.

[You Play to Win the Game]

He is worthy of some, but much like MW he doesn't walk on water, he's just a hockey player. People expect him to be the best player in the league every season and it's just too much hype. He had a couple down years and now everyone wants to jump on every little thing he does, but the same people were willing to give Semin a pass for being so lazy and taking stupid penalties because he scored goals. It's just frustrating to me.

 

Who was giving Sasha a pass? That's definitely ridiculous, if people were actually giving him a pass. Now, the national media wouldn't follow the Semin thing... he's not important enough... but Ovi certainly is, so right or not, he's going to get the level of scrutiny that comes with being one of the most talented hockey players to ever grace the earth.

 

As far as I'm concerned, Semin was WAY worse, in terms of taking nights off, playing sloppy, etc. than Ovi... I mean, the level of criticism that he deserves is in another stratosphere compared to Ovi.

 

I just think for how much he's being paid, and for how good he is, Ovi can be more consistent. I think it's safe to say his down years had to do with pouting about Bruce, then Hunter... and just not willing to be the best possible version of himself... which is what he became once Oates got here and got his system in place. He loves playing for Oates, so I'm excited to see this next phase of Ovi's career in their first full year together next season.

 

Is anything that I say really off base here? I don't consider myself an Ovi basher at all. I have his jersey, I root hard for him.

[JeremyStrain]

Who was giving Sasha a pass? That's definitely ridiculous, if people were actually giving him a pass. Now, the national media wouldn't follow the Semin thing... he's not important enough... but Ovi certainly is, so right or not, he's going to get the level of scrutiny that comes with being one of the most talented hockey players to ever grace the earth.

 

As far as I'm concerned, Semin was WAY worse, in terms of taking nights off, playing sloppy, etc. than Ovi... I mean, the level of criticism that he deserves is in another stratosphere compared to Ovi.

 

I just think for how much he's being paid, and for how good he is, Ovi can be more consistent. I think it's safe to say his down years had to do with pouting about Bruce, then Hunter... and just not willing to be the best possible version of himself... which is what he became once Oates got here and got his system in place. He loves playing for Oates, so I'm excited to see this next phase of Ovi's career in their first full year together next season.

 

Is anything that I say really off base here? I don't consider myself an Ovi basher at all. I have his jersey, I root hard for him.

 

Keep in mind when I'm venting here that I'm never considering you one of "people". In general I'm referring to the bandwagon fans that drive me nuts, and the quasi fans who have only really followed hockey since the middle lockout.

 

Power forwards in particular are hard to gauge and critique because they play so physical and then play with bumps, bruises and injuries throughout the year which knocks them down a peg. Guys like Keith Tkachuk, John LeClair, Wendel Clark, Cam Neely, Brendan Shanahan, and Gordie Howe are the kinds of guys to compare Ovi to. If you look at all their careers you will see ups and downs from season to season sometimes, and team changes because teams get frustrated with injuries and down years.

 

If Ovi was putting up numbers like the last 2 years (last year was Hunter's fault, the year before was a combo of him being hurt, coaching changes, and attitude problems) every year I could see concern. But he came back and almost led the league in scoring in the lockout shortened year. He would have easily had over 100 points this year if it were a full season. He played hurt, he almost singlehandedly got us back in the playoffs. Playing as many minutes as he does, I'm inclined to give him a pass for taking a couple plays off during a game, unfortunately that one you highlighted looks REALLY bad.

 

I just don't think any one player in hockey should get as much criticism as he does.

[You Play to Win the Game]

I agree that he shouldn't get as much criticism... Unfortunately, that's the reputation the national media has bestowed upon him, and so I don't think it'll go away until he wins a Cup. 

 

Hopefully the bandwagoners bitching on social media the past couple days are a little embarrassed after hearing about his foot fracture today.

[Don Quixote]

I'm still rooting for him to do great things for as long as he's around, but the criticisms re: consistency and sometimes maturity are very fair. I also agree that there's so much criticism because of what a higher-echelon player he is. He has the potential to be the best player in the NHL every year. Now I don't expect him to always get the Hart, Ross, and Richard trophies, but I'd like to see him as a player that continues to get better at focusing his energy, inspiring his teammates, and getting the team deeper in the playoffs. A Conn Smythe and a Cup would be nice at some point, but their absence does not mean he's not a high value player. Still needs work, though, indeed.