A couple of days ago, a post appeared on the NHL’s social media page, which provides statistics on the longest-serving captains in NHL history. The first place on this list is still occupied by Steve Yzerman, who became Detroit’s captain in 1986. He kept the letter “C” until the end of his playing career, until 2006. So the Red Wings legend has accumulated as many as 19 seasons.
In second place is Pittsburgh’s current captain, Sidney Crosby; next season will be his 18th as captain. Given the growing rumors that Sidney will extend his contract with the Penguins, one can already begin to assume that Yzerman’s championship is in jeopardy.
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In third place are two players: Joe Sakic, who was Colorado’s captain for 16 seasons, and Alexander Ovechkin, for whom next season will be the 16th.
Crosby and Ovechkin entered the league in the same year and together produced one of Calder’s most intriguing careers, but the Canadian became the captain of his team earlier. Why? Crosby’s potential was clear even before the draft – the first pick proves it. In addition, the Penguins began to have big problems in the late 1990s – the best team of the early decade was mired in debts exceeding 100 million dollars. Mario Lemieux tried to do everything possible to rectify the situation, which could have ended in. Transfer or disappearance: he resumed his career after a serious illness, became co-owner of the club, transferring the club’s debts into shares and looked for investors.
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Bringing the “nextvan” of Canadian hockey into the fold was also important from an image standpoint. The rivalry with Ovechkin, which each year became a local clash between Russia and Canada, the transfer of the letter from the hands of the person who marked the history of the franchise – all this is part of the publicity that should draw attention to Pittsburgh, which will already translate into numbers in the bank account.
The situation with Ovechkin is different. Although Washington was a rather “grey” organization at that period of history, there were no problems of such magnitude yet. And Ovechkin’s potential as a publicity figure in the American capital was not realized immediately, but only along the way.
The language barrier was also a factor: to be captain, you not only need to be able to score 50 goals per season, but you also need to have a say in the locker room and help your team off the ice.
Alexander Ovechkin
Photo: AP/TASS
It was these factors that pushed Ovi away from the captain’s status: the Russian received the letter only in the fifth season after Chris Clark left the team and was traded to Columbus.
Ten years later, Ovechkin himself recalled those circumstances and told how it all happened: “The team bosses called me. I think Chris Clark was replaced and we didn’t have a captain. Then Bruce (Bruce Boudreau, Washington coach in those years. – Championship note) said: “You will be the next captain.” He told me this in front of the whole team, everyone was excited and happy. Many smiled, applauded and congratulated me. This moment was important for me, as well as for the whole team.
A lot of people said the club won’t win anything, this guy won’t win anything. What do I say in response? Get it done! We did it, I was the first captain to win the Stanley Cup.”
During Ovechkin’s time as captain in Washington, we never heard a bad review from our partners about Alexander. Everyone usually talks about how the Russian helps everyone off the ice and is an example in the locker room and on the ice.
Returning to the topic of our discussion, let us think if Ovechkin should emerge victorious in this indicator, does this have any decisive significance for his legacy?
Ovi himself admits that he wants to win the Stanley Cup again. It’s natural for all athletes: everyone plays to win. But at the moment, let’s be honest, this is almost impossible to do.
Alexander Ovechkin with the Stanley Cup
Photo: AP/TASS
Ovechkin also talks about another achievement: “I want to play 1,500 games in the NHL. I don’t remember how many I have now (1,426 games. – Note from “Championship”). You can fill it in two seasons. I already have the most games among Russian players in the NHL. This is already a great achievement. And this is for one club: only Malych and I have this (Evgeniy Malkin. – Note from “Championship”).”
We will not include 1,500 quotes about how Alexander wants to break Gretzky’s record. It is clear that this is the main goal for the rest of my career abroad. Therefore, we can draw a simple conclusion: Ovechkin has more global goals that he is heading towards. He will definitely not focus on this.
Now let’s fantasize: if Ovechkin wanted to, could he do it? Once Alexander completes his contract with Washington, he will have 17 seasons as captain. Will he sign another contract for 2 or 3 years? There is only one likely option for this: Wayne Gretzky’s record will not be broken. Otherwise, Ovechkin himself admits that he has a hard time preparing for the season: “I hate the preparatory season, in general. I hate it. I really want to finish hockey. I don’t like just training. Before the season, this is the hardest thing. Imagine, after a vacation you come there, you’re tanned, everything is fine. Your coach calls you and says: “Okay, Sash, tomorrow we start training.” Well, you go to training, then you rest, then another training and that’s it. I hate it, I can’t stand it.” In my opinion, Ovechkin himself gives a complete answer.
But even if he extends his contract, Sidney Crosby is ahead of him, who will play in Pittsburgh for several more years. Rumors that the Canadian might leave the team are nonsense. The percentage of this is almost zero. So we can conclude that it is Sidney who will take this lead.
