The Explosive 8
No, it’s not a post gushing about how wonderful Alex Ovechkin is…okay, not entirely about how wonderful Alex Ovechkin is.
Today we’re going a little outside CapsNation, and it was a throwaway comment on Justin Bourne’s blog that started the ball rolling:
“Ilya Kovalchuk is a bag of fireworks personified. Is it possible to be less famous while being the second-most electrifying player in the NHL (behind Ovechkin)?
He’s thrilling. I can’t think of someone who’s less celebrated while being one of the top five players in a major professional sport. I know everyone knows he’s good and all that, but he’s rarely in the conversation with Crosby, Ovy, Malkin, Datsyuk etc. I’d love to see him play in Toronto and get some media attention (or even better, NYR, so he could have the media plus good teammates – has the guy ever had a good teammate? Name three players he’s had to work with).”
It’s certainly a good point (although he undermines his credibility a bit by going on to extol the virtues of ear-bleed-inducing Rick Jeanneret – ew). And it got me thinking about who really does sit just behind the Great #8 when it comes to jaw-dropping, heart-pumping, electrifying explosiveness. It’s an exciting time to be a hockey fan right now, and it’s not just because of Ovechkin.
He’s a big reason, of course, but not the only reason.
In the five short seasons that he’s graced us with his presence – has it really only been five years? – Ovechkin has made himself a household name, set records, recorded milestones and drawn fans into the seats of a once-vacant Verizon Center. He’s done what few have been able to do in this lackluster time for Washington sports, and that is to make us believe in the possibility of a championship for our city.
Those of us who are lucky enough to tune into him for 82 games a year know what all the other hockey fans who get him 2, 4 or 6 times a year don’t – that he’s even better than they realize. There’s never been another player like him; I’ve certainly never seen one. He is pure Ovechkin, one of a kind.
That being said, he’s certainly not alone in being explosive, dynamic and magnetic both on the ice and off. He is, hands-down, the best in all of those categories, but there are others right behind him who make this game what it is.
So I made a list. You all know how I love my lists. It’s a list of the eight players not named Ovechkin for whom the label of “electrifying” could be applied.
Now before all of the Penguins fans come out of the woodwork and yell at me, no, you won’t see Crosby on this list. Great player, yes. Talented, one of the best in the league, sure. I can say that without gagging (almost). But electrifying? Pfft.
Here’s how I see it:
8. Patrice Bergeron – He gets forgotten a lot these days, largely because of his prolonged concussion-related absence, but Bergeron has been and continues to be an elite offensive threat for the Bruins. If you caught the B’s season opener against the Caps you saw his rush up the wing in the third. You saw his moves. And you saw him practically will the puck past a very solid Theodore. Highly underrated – and that’s coming from a semi-Habs fan.
7. Vincent Lecavalier – Take this year out of the equation and Lecavalier remains one of the snipers of the Southeast, scoring practically at will since entering the league 11 years ago. Aside from a wicked shot and some pretty slick moves, Lecavalier is a huge, physical presence on the ice that can overpower defensemen with a single stride.
6. Mike Green – There is simply no blueliner in the league right now with as much speed and agility as #52 in red. There’s no one better at joining the rush, and when he gets that shot off from the point or the half-wall or wherever he finds space, it truly is as Joe B. puts it – “thunder on the way”.
5. Jarome Iginla – Iginla brings that same physical power forward mentality of a Lecavalier or an Ovechkin. Dangerous on every shift, he’ll likely either get a scoring chance or knock an opponent down on his rear in the brief time he’s on the ice. That’s a vicious combination, made even more so by the passion he brings to his game. One of the great power forwards in the league today, no question.
4. Alexander Semin – If you’ve ever seen Semin dangle three or four guys on a single rush up ice, you know why some think he’s got more sheer talent than #8. Ridiculously soft hands and the ability to skate around defenders like pylons are just part of the package; he also gets more power in a one-legged wrist shot than some guys get with their hardest slapper. And on top of that, he’s added a feistiness and an edge to his game that wasn’t there before. God help the 29 other teams if he ever grabs hold of that elusive consistency…
3. Evgeni Malkin – There’s a reason this guy was taken one spot behind Ovechkin in the ’04 draft; like Ovechkin, he’s got the skills to take a team and a game on his back and make it his own. He’d be a bigger star without a certain someone’s shadow in his way, but the way he can play speaks for itself. Malkin’s still growing into his size and is only ranked #3 here because he hasn’t brought a physicality to his game just yet – but he’s the kind of guy whose rushes up the ice will still put any fan on the edge of their seat.
2. Pavel Datsyuk – It’s strange to refer to someone as explosive when everything they do has a quiet elegance to it – but that’s Datsyuk. Quietly explosive. He does everything that many of the people on this list do, combining some of their skill sets to form what is a truly lethal hybrid, while bringing an equally explosive defensive side to his game unrivaled anywhere else. All the praise he gets never quite seems to be enough, because without him Detroit’s attack isn’t nearly as scary.
1. Ilya Kovalchuk – He spent his first few years in the league as a slightly pouty, spoiled, diva of a teenager with immense talent and a bigger attitude. As he’s grown into his role as both the face and the leader of the Thrashers, however, he’s only become more dynamic, more talented and more interesting to watch with every passing year.
There’s truth to the fact that in a Toronto or NY he’d be a superstar. And he’d be able to overcome the “lesser” hockey market if he had some help; as it is he’s one of the main attractions for a Thrashers team without much to see these days. His play with the puck and away from it have both matured and improved since his debut to make him a truly elite player – one who is so often overlooked in favor of his countrymen but one who deserves some notice.
Now naturally this is one woman’s opinion. Feel free to make your own lists in the comments…as we count down the days until Thursday.
Mostly agree but Bergeron wouldn’t crack my top 100, pre concussion.
Comment by Derek — October 19, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
Fair enough, fair enough…any thoughts on who would be your 8th?
Comment by CapsChick — October 20, 2009 @ 7:14 am
yep..Semin and Green were electrifying during the playoffs…Were they even on the ice during the Pens/Caps series?
Comment by Eric — October 20, 2009 @ 7:22 am
Agree that Bergeron has no right to be on this list. What about Gaborik?
Also, Vinny didn’t explode onto the scene. He didn’t hit 30 goals until his fourth full season.
Kovy is great.
Comment by Jordan — October 20, 2009 @ 7:31 am
Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!! Where’s Crosby? Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! LOL, LOL.
Just Kidding. Hi Guy’s,
Here Goes,
7) Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks. Outstanding skater, great puckhandler, and a great shot. Still very young, and has all the tools.
6) Mike Green, Washington Capitals. Very special young defensemen. Great shot, intelligent and how do you argue with 31 goals.
5) Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals. I would rank him higher, but I am waiting for the maturity to hit the ice, it’s coming.
4) Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers. Thrilling when he has the puck, boring when he doesn’t. Don’t get me wrong, a great player on a lousy team.
3) Mark Stall, New York Rangers. Surprised, huh? He is leaps and bounds better this year, then last. Still makes stupid mistakes, but is electrifing on the rush. Will only get better.
2) Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins. One of two guy’s in the league who can carry their team when they want too. Makes opposing players look silly at times, but also prone to turnovers.
1) Syd….Just Kidding. Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals. One word, Terrifying. God I hate him, lol, lol.
Peace All,
John
Comment by John S. Churchin — October 20, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Eric: Green had a rough playoffs but that doesn’t make him less explosive overall – if that was the cutoff, Malkin wouldn’t make the list based on some of the series this year and all of last year’s postseason. As for Semin, um…did you WATCH the playoffs? He had 14 points in 14 games, and I’m pretty sure Orpik noticed him out there.
Jordan: Fair enough on Vinny, but I still count him among the most explosive in the league regardless.
Jordan and Mark: The only “explosiveness” I’ve seen from Gaborik in his career is the tendency for his muscles and bones to shatter. When he’s healthy, sure, but give me more than 8 games before I stick him on a list like this. (Or maybe I just forgot about Gaborik because I kind of loathe him…it’s a possibility. He is explosive at times, it’s true.)
Mark: Rick Nash is a great player. I don’t consider him “explosive”, though. But hey, everyone’s entitled to their opinion, right? Who ya got?
John: I like your pick of Booth, that’s actually not a bad choice. Staal is surprising – but to be fair I haven’t really watched him all that carefully yet. Clearly I need to!
Comment by CapsChick — October 20, 2009 @ 10:29 am
Oops, deleted Mark by accident – Mark, if you’re out there, please repeat your comment!
Or I can just repeat the basic idea, which is that the list sucked and was anyone explosive not named Ovechkin, Gaborik or Nash.
Comment by CapsChick — October 20, 2009 @ 11:02 am
I’m absolutely SHOCKED that you dont’ think Puffy is electrifying. SHOCKED I SAY….*G*
I mostly agree with your list, but I’d rather put Peach Fuzz (Kane) in instead of Bergeron. Granted, I didn’t see Bergeron before he had that concussion, but I’m still sticking with Peach Fuzz.
Comment by EP — October 20, 2009 @ 12:04 pm
Hey, at least I’m admitting he’s talented!! Just…not entertaining in that “anything can happen” kind of way. Ahem.
And wow, Bergeron seems to be an unpopular choice – maybe I’m just seeing what I want to see because I know a lot of people who like him? Maybe I’m remembering the way he played against the Habs back in ‘04 (*growlsnarl*) and projecting it to now? Possible…however I’m also not sure I’d put Kane in there just yet
Maybe that’s just me, too.
Semin would, though! And he knows more about hockey than I do. So there’s that.
Comment by CapsChick — October 20, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
As everyone else, I don’t see Bergeron on this list. If you’re not going to consider Nash explosive, then I just can’t see the killer B on this list, either.
I agree on Gaborik, and I’d probably add E. Staal to the list (probably at 8), and D. Heatley (as much as I don’t like him). They’re explosive players in the sense that they can make a lot happen in a short amount of time (i.e. Staal in game 7 against the NJD, and Heatley pretty much whenever he has a good game). I might even add Kovalev. Those #8 and #7 spots are tough.
Comment by DrinkingPartner — October 21, 2009 @ 11:58 am
I think maybe I just don’t watch Columbus enough – Nash is a fantastic player but maybe I need to watch him specifically. Bergeron stuck out in my mind mostly because of the season opener, so maybe I was over-reaching.
Staal and Heatley are good picks, too, as is Kovalev (when he, like Semin, is focused) – but you bring up a good point that those last two spots are tough. I’d say there’s a pretty decent drop-off from the type of explosiveness someone like Green has and the type you get from Lecavalier, Heatley, etc.
Comment by CapsChick — October 21, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
>>As for Semin, um…did you WATCH the playoffs? He had 14 points in 14 games, and I’m pretty sure Orpik noticed him out there. <<
correct me if i am wrong – but – Semin recieved most of thos points in the NYR series. In the Pittsburgh series, he was not much of a factor
Comment by Eric — October 21, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
He picked up about half of his points against the Pens – all assists, but I think he was still a factor. Of course I’m certainly not arguing that he had his best performance against Pittsburgh (you couldn’t really say that about any of the Caps except maybe Ovechkin) but he did put up numbers.
Really the bigger impact for Semin in that series was from the physical, pesty side that came out – he got Orpik to take some really dumbass penalties in that series. Not that it’s hard, but still
Comment by CapsChick — October 21, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
I dunno…looking at the Pens side – Orpik really made Semin a non-factor…I think the physical play took a tool on Semin – especially on his shot. The guy could not hit the side of a barn during the series…
your goaltender was outstanding during the series minus game 7. I think he was the big reason why that series went that far…
Comment by Eric — October 22, 2009 @ 9:44 am
I think the physical play took a toll on Semin – especially on his shot. The guy could not hit the side of a barn during the series…
To be fair, Semin’s shot isn’t the most accurate on the best of days. He’s always flinging the puck high or wide or off a defender’s shin pads. But it’s possible the physical play had some impact – I think Semin’s shown more of a willingness to stand up to that kind of play in the last year or two, though.
And don’t kid yourself…Varlamov was the big reason why the Caps even made it to the second round. Not that Theodore couldn’t have stepped it up after that bad first game vs NYR, but Varly had some incredible saves in both series.
I still contend that the Caps didn’t play as well as they can play in the postseason – for whatever reason. They have a lot to prove, but I think they were as good as the Penguins last year and if they’d shown up in Game 7 at all things might have ended differently. But really, who knows? The Canes don’t score in the last seconds of game 7 vs the Devils and we’re not even having this conversation! (Stupid Canes…)
Comment by CapsChick — October 22, 2009 @ 11:21 am