For many, the latest second-round dud in a long history of stinging defeats for the Washington Capitals was the final straw. Commentators and analysts from around the league and in the nation’s capital have openly contemplated whether the team’s captain and generational talent Alex Ovechkin should be traded. While there is a case to be made for considering the option, there is a long list of reasons Washington would get fleeced in such a deal and should avoid it at all costs.
Firstly, Ovechkin is not likely to bring back a player anywhere near his caliber. Granted, all 30 other franchises would be clamoring for a chance to bid on his services. However, these would almost certainly involve lesser players. The old adage of “never trade quality for quantity” would hold true in this scenario. Although the Capitals could completely restock their 3rd and 4th lines, their prospect pool, as well as add a difference maker – the bottom line is they lose the best player in the deal.
Second, Ovechkin is a pure goal scoring menace. He dictates the flow of play when he is on his game in a way few other players can. His hitting ability and aggressiveness only add dimensions to the offense he brings to a team. There are few players who can score with as much consistency and be relied upon to bury a puck. He has accumulated 558 goals in 921 games. Other than Steven Stamkos and Phil Kessel, no one is even in the same stratosphere. When a game is on the line, you need a player who can score – Ovechkin can, even if he didn’t this spring. And his playoff goals per game – well, he’s potted 44 in 46 games played – good for be 24th all time.
Third, nearly all historical examples of megastars being traded have turned into total backfires for the team. When 19 year-old Tyler Seguin was dealt to the Dallas Stars along with Rich Peverley from the Boston Bruins due to rumored conduct issues, the return was minimal. Loui Eriksson has ultimately contributed to his team after long slumps and Joe Morrow has just begun to crack the lineup. Reilly Smith has turned into a serviceable player, but Seguin’s 306 points in 305 games for Dallas easily dwarf Smith’s efforts. When Jaromir Jagr was dealt in his late prime to the Washington Capitals, the Penguins went 5 years without a Playoff appearance and suffered further heavy financial losses. Michal Sivek, and Ross Lupaschuk, both intriguing players at the time, went on to play a combined 41 games, and in 7 seasons Kris Beech only scored 25 goals. When dealing with prospect and pick returns, there is no sure thing.
Moving Ovechkin may seem to make sense in the aftermath of yet another playoff disappointment, but trading generational talents rarely works out well. Although changes are certainly coming Washington’s way, it would likely be a mistake to move on from the future hall-of-fame left wing. He is still earning his $9.5 MM contract, but a year removed from a Rocket Richard trophy.
Should Washington Trade Ovechkin?
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
This kind of talk happens all the time. Back a few years ago when the Penguins were in the same situation as the caps, everyone was calling to trade Crosby. Now, he’s brought them a fourth cup and challenging for a fifth.
No one ever said trade Crosby
More like malkin, but that too isn’t happening
I do agree that they are unlikely to get fair value, but they definitely need to field offers. You never know when a GM may make a desperate push to acquire a new face of the franchise. For the NHL and MLB fans out there, the Arizona Diamondbacks trade is a good example. Shelby Miller isn’t even a “face of the franchise” type of player (not yet at least), and Arizona completely overpaid
I know this is a completely different sport and scenario, but I don’t think it completely out of the realm of possibility that somebody dangles something like the following:
One star NHL player (obviously a tier or two below Ovechkin, as mentioned in the article) one second line caliber player, a solid depth NHL piece, a top prospect, and a 1st round pick.
I might be insane, but I think it could happen.
Oh and FWIW, don’t be fooled by my username…I’m a huge Pens fan
The Miller deal was a complete anomaly only made possible because of how awful Dave Stewart is at evaluating talent. It’s not a trade template you should be comp’ing to.
And there were no established superstars in the Miller trade. If Mike Trout was involved in the deal it might be a little more comparable.
But that’s exactly what I’m saying. It would have to be an anomaly type of offer.
That miller was HORRIBLE for the d backs and is going to haunt them. One of the worst trades ever.
Also it’s grenkie the FACE of the franchise
That’s what I was saying…they overpaid for Shelby Miller who isn’t even a face of the franchise player
Goldschmidt is the face of the Diamondbacks
Good call. Greinke is just the overpaid face
It’s just that the capitals have to do a huge rebuild now. They have a depleted farm system and they won’t even need to show up to the draft this year. So, Id say trade him if they want to kickstart the rebuild. Keep him if they want a franchise player to retire his number as he goes into the hall of fame, yet likely pose as a mediocre team for a couple years. Just my thoughts,
The Capitals should be pretty good for the next few years. Hard to be bad with their roster foundation.
Would be a tough match to move his salary as well as getting the talent back for him that his value warrants
I’m not sure Jagr should be used as an example. The Pens were facing bankruptcy and could not afford him.
The why was not the point if the article. The point was that the return is unlikely ever to compensate for the loss of the superstar.
Jagr was then traded to the Rangers for Anson Carter.
First, Ovechkin is being unfairly blamed for the Caps ouster. There is plenty of blame to go around for that. There were a lot of Capitals who didn’t play well, including Shattenkirk, & the Caps centers got abused in the faceoff circle. Second, I’ve seen articles that the Caps should trade Ovechkin because of not getting the job in the playoffs & rebuild around Kuznetsov. Well, Kunetsov hasn’t been a good playoff performer. So, that logic doesn’t work. As for the trading Ovechkin option, Ovi has a modified no-trade clause & can only be traded to a certain number of teams. That limits his market because most of those teams are probably contenders who don’t have the cap space to add Ovechkin’s contract. So what would the Caps get in return for Ovechkin that improves them as a team? That’s the issue. If they could find a trade that makes them better, then yes, make the trade. I just don’t see where that happens
What a thought of him on the Hawks. 99% not possible, but would love to see Bowman rework things to get him in the mix! You could trade Crawford and his cap hit because you probably could score more goals than the other team would if your net was open! Hahahahaha
This is pure fantasy, don’t think I’m serious people, just having fun!!
I feel like with all the pressure and criticism and repeated failures in DC, Ovi would be willing to waive his NMC for some additional teams…
Please make a correction… Alex Ovechkin does NOT have 44 goals in 46 games, but 46 goals in 97 games, which puts him in a tie 4 other players at 66th overall for total number of goals, and in 24th spot for goals per game average. Ovi has 44 playoff assists. I’m thinking the writer may have been looking at the wrong columns.
Thanks for that clarification. I was thinking damn that’s shockingly impressive lol
Welcome to Dallas Mr. Ovechkin or Kanobi, whichever you prefer to be called :)
Kenobi*