The NHL Some-Stars Game - Ovechkin bows out

[rhcardinals3]

Alex Ovechkin will not participate in the all-star game, according to Washington GM George McPhee.
Apparently, Ovechkin feels that his appearance while suspended would be a distraction. Ovechkin was suspended for three games as a result of his hit on Pittsburgh defenseman Zbynek Michalek during Sunday's game. However, the suspension applies to regular-season contests and not the all-star game. Ovechkin is 20-19-39 in 47 games.

 

[canucksfreak19]

Alex Ovechkin will not participate in the all-star game, according to Washington GM George McPhee.
Apparently, Ovechkin feels that his appearance while suspended would be a distraction. Ovechkin was suspended for three games as a result of his hit on Pittsburgh defenseman Zbynek Michalek during Sunday's game. However, the suspension applies to regular-season contests and not the all-star game. Ovechkin is 20-19-39 in 47 games.

It will be interesting to see if the league lets him. I wouldn't be surprised if he's there. Remember the Crosby situation a couple of years ago, and before that the league suspending Lidstrom for not going to the All-Star game even though he was healthy.

 

[rhcardinals3]

I think he is boycotting the game in an attempt to punish the NHL for giving him a 3 game suspension. He is one of the biggest names in the game.

 

[canucksfreak19]

I completely agree with you.

 

[DogfoodSoup]

Here's the story about Ovechkin not attending.

So far that's no Toews and no Ovechkin, anyone think anyone else will pass on attending?

 

[solt0131]

I think he is boycotting the game in an attempt to punish the NHL for giving him a 3 game suspension. He is one of the biggest names in the game.

Yeah, I agree here too. Ovechkin comes off as a "stick it to the man" type of guy. Wouldn't it be funny if Washington has had enough of his antics and trades him during the All Star break? fftopic:

 

[MMarch]

He is suspended, and I agree with him to a point, if he shows up a ton of the media attention will be on him and his suspension instead of where it's supposed to be. A "celebration" of the top players in the game, it's supposed to be fun, and anyone that doesn't think the media would turn it into a circus with Ovie, well.......

 

[Boom Boom]

What a bust this guy has been this year. Way to sell the game Alex. I guess he'd rather be at home eating Cheeto's......
I suspect he wont be the only one. And in the end who exactly are the "stars" that ARE attending??

The All Star break is rapidly becoming a league wide holiday.

 

[MMarch]

It happens in every sport, players decide not to go to the MLB, NBA, and NFL "all star games" every year. I don't see it as a big deal myself, and to suspend guys is just crazy to me. All the players have to do is claim they are injured and need the time to rest, which is what they will start doing if the NHL continues to pressure them. If a guy claims he is injured and the NHL pressures them, the NHLPA will have a field day.

 

[canucksfreak19]

It happens in every sport, players decide not to go to the MLB, NBA, and NFL "all star games" every year. I don't see it as a big deal myself, and to suspend guys is just crazy to me. All the players have to do is claim they are injured and need the time to rest, which is what they will start doing if the NHL continues to pressure them. If a guy claims he is injured and the NHL pressures them, the NHLPA will have a field day.

The thing with injured players is that they don't get to take a vacation. Apparently, they have to stay in their city and "rehab" at team facilities over the break. Rhett Warrener said this on the radio this morning.

 

[chadsexington]

Eh...I sort of believe Ovechkin's side of the story. He IS a suspended player, and it would be a rather awkward situation to have a suspended player play in that sort of showcase. I'd feel the same way if I were in his shoes with this sort of timing.

Ovechkin clearly enjoys being at All Star Weekend, so I don't think it's a case where he's skipping because of ego, or anything along those lines.

No problem with this decision not to play, whether it was his decision, or the apparent conspiracy theory that the NHL told him not to play

 

[MMarch]

The thing with injured players is that they don't get to take a vacation. Apparently, they have to stay in their city and "rehab" at team facilities over the break. Rhett Warrener said this on the radio this morning.

I'm sure the players will have no problem staying in their home city and "rehabbing", honestly, all they would have to do is show up at the rink and have a trainer put ice on them for 30 minutes a day and it would be considered rehabbing.

 

[timber09]

As Tony metioned - this happens across the board in all sports so we should be used to it to some degree.

I am fine with the NHL suspending guys for pulling the pin on the game though as it is their duty to be there and to showcase the NHL to the fringe fans.

For me personally, I am kind of glad when superstars who aren't playing up to their calibre bow out and allow for someone I haven't seem much get a chance go get out there. In the end, it will be the same drab game it always is - just with a couple more fresh faces.

 

[canucksfreak19]

I'm sure the players will have no problem staying in their home city and "rehabbing", honestly, all they would have to do is show up at the rink and have a trainer put ice on them for 30 minutes a day and it would be considered rehabbing.

I don't necessarily disagree, but the way he explained it, it was the worst of all options because everyone else was either in Hawaii or Mexico, or wherever the all-star game was having fun.

 

[langway05]

He is suspended, and I agree with him to a point, if he shows up a ton of the media attention will be on him and his suspension instead of where it's supposed to be. A "celebration" of the top players in the game, it's supposed to be fun, and anyone that doesn't think the media would turn it into a circus with Ovie, well.......

What he said..

 

[TMacfreak91]

Oh and on the original post: I think it's good he is bowing out. I don't think he deserved to be there in the first place. Several other players including Thomas Vanek and David Backes are MUCH more deserving. I still maintain that it is a mockery that Vanek didn't get in, he's been consistently great (until the past 3-4 games) all season despite the Sabres team struggles.

Steve

 

[rhcardinals3]

Oh and on the original post: I think it's good he is bowing out. I don't think he deserved to be there in the first place. Several other players including Thomas Vanek and David Backes are MUCH more deserving. I still maintain that it is a mockery that Vanek didn't get in, he's been consistently great (until the past 3-4 games) all season despite the Sabres team struggles.

Steve

They haven't replaced Ovi yet....maybe Vanek will get his chance.

 

[MMarch]

For me personally, I am kind of glad when superstars who aren't playing up to their calibre bow out and allow for someone I haven't seem much get a chance go get out there. In the end, it will be the same drab game it always is - just with a couple more fresh faces.

Bingo, I feel the same way. Would I like to see Ovechkin, sure, he is such a goofy guy and he makes it fun. The shootout competition or whatever it was where Malkin put the hat and sunglasses on him was great, he puts on a great show and no one can argue how much he loves to ham it up for the fans (in a good way). However, if you go back and look at some of the guys who got in because a "super star" bowed out, you will find guys that went there, had a blast, and usually performed very well because to them it was new and exciting and they actually played hard instead of loafing around the ice. As much as I hate to admit it, Hartnell will absolutely put on a show for the crowd. He can be a real d-bag at times, but there is no doubt he has that "class clown" quality about him and he will pull a stunt or do something that will leave an impression.

 

[canucksfreak19]

Apparently there was some talk of having Ovechkin picked last, at least in part, because he was caught taking that photo of Kessel sitting by himself last year.

 

[Metrags]

Yeah, I agree here too. Ovechkin comes off as a "stick it to the man" type of guy. Wouldn't it be funny if Washington has had enough of his antics and trades him during the All Star break? fftopic:

Ovechkin for Redden still stands.

That being said, if I saw the ASG as more than a joke, I might be disappointed in this. But I have nothing wrong with anyone skipping the ASG at this point. I actually wish someone like Gabby or Lundy would skip as they could use the rest....