Fansided

Capitals coach admits he was wrong about Alex Ovechkin

By Will Osgood

Feb 19, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) listens to Capitals assistant coach Todd Reirden during a timeout against the Winnipeg Jets in the second period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) listens to Capitals assistant coach Todd Reirden during a timeout against the Winnipeg Jets in the second period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Alex Ovechkin is a star for the Washington Capitals, and his head coach is finally warming up to that notion. 

Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz admits he had the wrong perception of superstar Alexander Ovechkin, but now after coaching him for a year he has a deep appreciation for No. 8.

More from NHL

Alexander Ovechkin has long been one of the most misunderstood players in the NHL. He was drafted first overall in the 2004 NHL entry draft after being a great success in the Russian Federation as a teenager.

He came to the NHL at the start of the 2005-06 season, the same season as the even more highly touted Sidney Crosby–the first overall selection in the 2005 NHL entry draft. That year he beat out the most hyped rookie since Wayne Gretzky to win the Calder trophy, given to the league’s top rookie performer.

For the first couple of seasons in the league, it looked as if Ovechkin would become the better NHL player. He certainly was the more exciting one. And so that reputation began to spread like a bug. Crosby became known as one of the best two-way centers, whereas Ovechkin was a scorer, who could help teammates score as well.

But God forbid, he do anything to prevent the opponent from scoring. At least that’s how the story began to be told. It turned into Ovechkin being labeled as a diva. And so Barry Trotz, the long-time head coach of the Nashville Predators, until last season, believed it.

When he was given the job this summer to coach Ovechkin and the Capitals he expected to run into a supremely talented player who wouldn’t respect him. Instead, he found something quite different.

“There are a lot of sensitive players in the league, and he’s not one of them,” Trotz told reporters recently. “He takes coaching. He’s tough. I can be hard on him. I can be up front with him, even in front of his teammates.”

It probably helps that Trotz has a track record of success, having steered the Predators to seven playoff appearances in 15 seasons with a brand new franchise in Nashville.

Trotz, and the NHL’s leading scorer with 49 goals, have led the Capitals on a resurgence this season, as they’re tied with the Detroit Red Wings for sixth place in the Eastern Conference entering the league’s final two weeks. The Caps play six more games this season.

Trotz will be asking Ovechkin to continue to lead his team in the next few weeks, and expects he will. He was quite effusive in his praise.

“I call him fearless. He is not scared of any player in the league. He is not scared of having to play against top players. He is not scared of criticism. He is not scared of accountability. He is not scared of coaching. He is a stand-up guy. He shoulders more of everything than is imaginable. And he does a lot in the community.

Ovechkin was criticized the most last season in Adam Oates’ final season as head coach as he seemed to represent the main problems the Capitals had, registering a career worst (and frankly awful) -35 +/- rating.

But the three-time Hart Trophy winner (NHL MVP) and four-time Maurice Richard winner (league’s top scorer) rebounded this season, revitalizing his image, especially in the eyes of the man whose opinion matters most–Trotz.

“I totally miscast him from afar. Perception is reality, and my perception from afar was all off.”

More from FanSided

Home/NHL