Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington answered a few questions...

Q: [Because] Ovi has bought in on Trotz system & his [numbers] have gone down, is it more acceptable to NHL media?

That’s actually a great question. I can’t tell you how many times I have gone on Canadian radio and have been baited to criticize Ovechkin for one thing or another....

Alex Ovechkin will never win a Selke Trophy, but through 28 games Ovi has 14 goals and nine assists for 23 points and is EVEN on the plus-minus ledger. That projects to 41 goals and 26 assists for 67 points, the second-lowest total of his career.

Brian MacLellan said this last month and I agree with him. I’d rather see Ovechkin score 40 goals and get the Caps into the playoffs than see him score 51 and see him playing for Team Russia in the World Championships.

The problem with SOME members of the NHL media is that they will ignore Ovechkin’s improvements as a player and highlight any mistakes he makes that lead to goals. There is a reason for that, in my opinion, but I’ll save that for another rant.

more questions and answers on the Capitals...