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spade632
Rookie
Canada
247 Posts |
 Posted - 11/24/2010 : 06:24:14
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I don't know how many of you caught this, but the other night after the Caps 5-0 loss to the Devils Ovechkin, Semin, and Kovalchuk were chatting/horsing around with each other a few feet down the hall from where Boudreau was giving his press conference. You can't see them on the clip but you can definitely hear them (especially at 0:47 > http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=53&id=84394).
Boudreau is clearly displeased. I think that in the current NHL where many players are ex-teammates (whether from the NHL or international play) and friends, there's nothing wrong with "fraternizing" with the enemy after the game. Still, I think it's pretty unprofessional for the players to be doing it in such a way as to disrupt post-game media interviews - I'm sure there's somewhere else they could have been.
Your thoughts?
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Guest9884
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Posted - 11/24/2010 : 07:28:54
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| Nice catch! Didn't see that one. He looks really mad. Wouldn't be too shocked to see Ovi and Semin looking a little ragged out there tonight. Enjoy your skate boys, you've earned it! |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2010 : 08:48:11
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spade......saw this on "puckdaddy" blog yesterday. I agree, not smart of them to have their little chat / chuckle right beside an interview. Take it somewhere else.
What's even better is if you watch the entire thing, or better yet, fast forward towards the end and watch Boudreau's reply to the reporter's question at 5:35 (the reporter asks him if "that" bothers him). "That", is referring to the Kovalchuk/Semin/Ovi chat 'n chuckle off to the side! |
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fat_elvis_rocked
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2010 : 11:46:34
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Wow another example of Ovie being less than a pro, what's his tab up to now? Half a dozen?
All that talent and 11 million a year, and he's still a buffoon. Why does it sound like I'm repeating myself?  |
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Yewcandoit
Rookie
Canada
115 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2010 : 12:23:26
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Not too surprised by this.
I would be disappointed with them if they were in their 30's and acting like this.
They are young professionals who still need to mature.
Nevertheless, the coach will be punishing them in practice. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2010 : 14:00:13
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Unfortunately, I have come to expect this from Ovechkin and his brothers. Not saying all Russian but specifically the posse of Prima Donna's including Semin, Kovalchuk, formerly Afinogenov, et al.
It's easy for Joe Q. Fan who busts is junk all day to make a living to be a little jacked up about the salaries hockey players make. It's even easier when something like this happens and $20+ million a year in 3 salaries are sitting around and laughing like little school girls completely disrespecting the coach of team who is trying to defend the actions of his players after a complete blow out.
Stay Classy Ovie-One. It's really too bad because the guy has skills to burn and could be one of the best of all time. Not only on the ice but also to the fans. |
Edited by - Beans15 on 11/24/2010 17:49:17 |
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Ripley
PickupHockey Pro
USA
365 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2010 : 16:06:55
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| Oh please people. Some of you are acting like you've never had a laugh with a buddy at an inapproriate moment. Boudreau was clearly distracted by it and I'm sure he'll mention it but I doubt that it will be more than a passing comment. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2010 : 17:22:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Ripley
Oh please people. Some of you are acting like you've never had a laugh with a buddy at an inapproriate moment. Boudreau was clearly distracted by it and I'm sure he'll mention it but I doubt that it will be more than a passing comment.
Actually, I have had a laugh with a buddy and an inapproriate moment. It's called high school. Not the pro's.
Class is not something that is taught but it is something that is learned. Some learn earlier than others. Would anyone think Toews would do something like this?? Or Dustin Brown?? Mike Richards?? Pavel Dasyuk???
This is typical behavior for some people and some types of people. This is not and should not be common behavior for someone considered a leaders.
Doesn't Ovechkin wear the C and Kovalchuk the A for their respective teams???
Stay Classy. |
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Awesome One
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
505 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2010 : 17:42:26
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I think that because of acts like this Ovechkin does not deserve the C, I think that the Caps should give it to a vetran such a Mike Knuble.
Crosby and Toews can handle captaincy at an early age, Ovie can't.
There was once a license plate in Toronto that abbreviated "Go Leafs" it read "Golfs". |
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crichards
Top Prospect
Canada
13 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2010 : 20:40:47
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I think if people are resorted to dissing Ovecheckin over something like laughing with friends after a game (near a press interview) then Ovechkin is doing ok. If that was the worst people could say about me, I think I'd be ok with that.
To use this example to question Ovechkin's maturity and professionalism is a little ridiculous. What is he supposed to do, walk out of the rink hanging his head, keeping to himself and being depressed until the Caps win again?
When people question his leadership I think we are forgetting he is the leader of a hockey team, not a diplomat with the United Nations. He's allowed to socialize and laugh with friends after a hockey game.
Has anyone else out there ever had a bad day at work and then to try to relax and get your mind off things after by joking around with friends? Again, let's not forget he plays hockey for a living.
It seems some will always try to find flaws with either Ovie or Crosby and you must choose a side. People like to classify Ovie as immature or unprofessional and others like to claim that Crosby is a complainer or whiner.
Both are great players and have different personalities. Some identify with one more than the other, but people take it too far by demonizing one and glorifying the other. |
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fat_elvis_rocked
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2010 : 22:20:06
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Actually there's a fair bit more I can, and have said about Alex 'the great', in other threads, but let's stick to just this one for now.
quoted from crichards;
To use this example to question Ovechkin's maturity and professionalism is a little ridiculous. What is he supposed to do, walk out of the rink hanging his head, keeping to himself and being depressed until the Caps win again?
When people question his leadership I think we are forgetting he is the leader of a hockey team, not a diplomat with the United Nations. He's allowed to socialize and laugh with friends after a hockey game.
Yes, when there is any possiblity of being caught in public, for at least the rest of that night, he, as the leader of team, should indeed be taking losses seriously. Regarding the socialize and laugh with friends, there is a time and place, and he always seems to not care about that, it's his way, which would be fine, but he is a diplomat in a sense, he represents the Washington Capitals, is in fact the face of said Capitals, and they give him 11 million reasons to show professionalism when it is expected. They expect 18-20 thousand working class people to come to their arena 41 times a year, and to ask this little of their star is a paltry request, but in this instance, he totally blows it.
In my particular stance on Ovie, it's not so much about demonizing him, as it is about wanting him to show at least the professionalism, that I feel is owed to the fans, who ultimately determine the fate of these athletes. He has too much skill and talent, and could easily be the face of the NHL, but his antics at times make wish he was less talented and therefore less of a focus for media scrutiny.
I love the fact that he is like a big kid and enjoys the game so much, I just wish, when the situation calls for professionalism, that the kid could be out on hold. Boudreau is giving a press interview, hoping what he says, deflects some of the heat, avoiding the very real possibility of his livelihood being affected, and has to hear 2 of his stars, bantering without a seeming, care in the world, after a blowout loss to a lesser team.
Still sound like a responsible, mature leader?
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Yewcandoit
Rookie
Canada
115 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2010 : 00:43:28
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I'll have to side with crichards on this.
I agree it was unprofessional, and more is expected from a captain. Unfortunately a lot of the teams are handing the C to their top scorer, which I do not agree with. Because of this, I don't expect as much from the captains as I did before.
Ovie is in the prime of his life. Playing hockey for a livng and getting paid 11mil/year. If I had that deal, I would feel untouchable, especially at that age.
We can't expect him to act like a man that was brought up in the North American hockey culture. His training and upbringing was a lot more intense, and now he is enjoying life.
They knew this when they gave him the C. Give him a few years, and he'll get used to our culture.
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Guest4757
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Posted - 11/25/2010 : 05:30:43
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| There's the prime example why the Caps will not win the cup with Ovechkin as Captain.....leadership=maturity |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2010 : 07:40:19
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Why does Ovechkin need a 'few years' to be a professional?? Has he not already been in North America for 5 years??
And yeah, I think everyone has had a bad day and then blown off a little steam with some friends. But try doing that just outside the boardroom of your company while your boss (Bruce Boudreau in Ovechkin's case) is taking the heaping pile of crap from the Board of Governors(in this case the media and fans) over your completely garbage performance.
Let me know how quickly you are shown at the least a disciplinary letter or in some cases your pink-slip.
As FER stated, time and place. No one said anything about the photo of Ovechkin with Markov, drunk out of their tree at a strip club from a few seasons ago because that is his time to do what he wants. But a profession hockey player, while at the rink is a professional hockey player, act like one. |
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Guest4803
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Posted - 11/25/2010 : 10:20:01
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| Wow People WOW!!!, there was one game on the day this news and footage came out...obviously was a slow day in tv land for the media covering the nhl. Players in football all meet at midfield after the game and are seen laughing with the other team as their coachs shake hands and talk to the reporters. So Eli and Peyton can share a laugh but heaven forbid two nhl players that are friends have a laugh after the game! What did you want ovechkin to do sit in his change room dwelling on something he cant go back and change? The ONLY issue here is that they did it 20 feet away from their coachs press confrence, nothing wrong with them taking 5 minutes to chat with a buddy after the game. Arent we all taught that its about going out there and having fun win or lose? and no one has more fun when hes out there then Ovechkin. If this had been Crosby talking to Getzlaf after a game im sure all you Ovie haters would be saying the same thing. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2010 : 10:47:40
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest4803
Wow People WOW!!!, there was one game on the day this news and footage came out...obviously was a slow day in tv land for the media covering the nhl. Players in football all meet at midfield after the game and are seen laughing with the other team as their coachs shake hands and talk to the reporters. So Eli and Peyton can share a laugh but heaven forbid two nhl players that are friends have a laugh after the game! What did you want ovechkin to do sit in his change room dwelling on something he cant go back and change? The ONLY issue here is that they did it 20 feet away from their coachs press confrence, nothing wrong with them taking 5 minutes to chat with a buddy after the game. Arent we all taught that its about going out there and having fun win or lose? and no one has more fun when hes out there then Ovechkin. If this had been Crosby talking to Getzlaf after a game im sure all you Ovie haters would be saying the same thing.
Obviously the point has been missed here. The issue is not that Ovechkin was having a chat with his buddies. It was that his chat was happening in the middle of his boss's press conference and that is disrespectful. The comparison to football players meeting on the field after a game is not even close to the same. It would be a reasonable comparison if you said Payton and Eli were laughing and joking during a press conference when Tom Coughlin was discussing the dismantling the Costs gave the Giants. If this conversations happens in the bowels of the stadium, away from camera and press conference there is no issue at all.
And who the hell thinks that professional athlete's play for the fun of it?? They play for money. It is their job. They play to win, period. It's not about hanging out with your buddies after the game it is about performing to your max to help your team win.
This isn't friggin Sunday afternoon shinny and the players should act accoringly.
And you are right. If this was Getzlaf and Crosby after a game no one would say anything. Because neither of them are stupid enough to act like this in public, disrespecting thier coach and team during a press conference. |
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Guest4804
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Posted - 11/25/2010 : 12:09:21
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All I can say is wow. After reading some of these responses I forgot it was about hockey players and was convinced that this was about to secret service agents talking while the president tells people that we all have 3 days to live.
I find it really funny how seriously some people take hockey players, the game was over and 3 friends aren't allowed to talk, like the guest mentioned basketball and football players are all hugs and laughs after a game, why should hockey players be any different? I think this whole topic falls into the I hate ovechkin category and If someone saw him eat a cheese burger in the middle of the season there would be a huge topic on here about how ovechkin doesn't stay in perfect shape throughout the whole season. All in all this has been way way over analysed. Maybe they should close the door If there gonna have a conversation, that way there won't be ridiculous threads about them popping up on the internet by a bunch of hockey nerds. |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2010 : 12:44:59
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4804....did you read Beans' last post? If you did, and you still don't "get it", you really should read it again, slowly.
There's a time and a place for everything. I don't think it can be explained any simpler than that. |
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Canucks Man
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1547 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2010 : 13:04:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest4804
All I can say is wow. After reading some of these responses I forgot it was about hockey players and was convinced that this was about to secret service agents talking while the president tells people that we all have 3 days to live.
I find it really funny how seriously some people take hockey players, the game was over and 3 friends aren't allowed to talk, like the guest mentioned basketball and football players are all hugs and laughs after a game, why should hockey players be any different? I think this whole topic falls into the I hate ovechkin category and If someone saw him eat a cheese burger in the middle of the season there would be a huge topic on here about how ovechkin doesn't stay in perfect shape throughout the whole season. All in all this has been way way over analysed. Maybe they should close the door If there gonna have a conversation, that way there won't be ridiculous threads about them popping up on the internet by a bunch of hockey nerds.
I wrote this
CANUCKS RULE!!!
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2010 : 15:10:04
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Okay, then i ask you, Canucks Man, did YOU read Beans' last post???
I fail to see how anyone says "we're" blowing this out of proportion. It's not the fact that they were chatting, it's the when and where of it that is the issue. Personally, i like seeing players in all sports get along away from the field of play. I know many guys practice together in the off season in all different sports and go for dinners and hang out, etc. That's fine by me. BUT, clearly these guys should not have been doing what they were doing WHERE they were doing it!!! |
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fat_elvis_rocked
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2010 : 15:41:53
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To those who can't get past the fact that we don't hate Ovechkin, just don't care for his immaturity at times, how do you think Boudreau should feel about this incident? Do you think he should take the same stance? It's no big deal, it's just who he is? It's not like he's the president, he's just a fun loving guy, how can you help that?
Please, let me know what you think, in Bruce Boudreau's shoes.
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Guest9884
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Posted - 11/25/2010 : 17:02:25
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| I didn't think it was a big deal that they were laughing after the game. I thought it was a big deal that they were interrupting their coach. I've never played in the NHL but you certainly don't do that at any other level of hockey - unless you really enjoy no puck practices. Whether or not Ovi deserves the C is another discussion. |
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fat_elvis_rocked
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2010 : 18:42:44
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Thank you Guest9884, that is the issue. Had there been no press interview going on 20 feet away, no one would have known, and it would be no issue. Perception being what it is, Ovie, and Semin for that matter, have horrible timing.
The Ovie lovers accuse anyone of questioning the things he does of hating, when all we question is why does this guy do some of the things he does?
I really wish someone could pull him aside and give him some professional advice, have fun when it's your time, but when you're on the clock, be the pro you're paid to be |
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Guest9884
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Posted - 11/25/2010 : 19:07:27
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Agree 100% It's not just Ovi, all three of these guys should know better. And two of them are way under-performing for how much they are paid. Not a good time to put yourself in the spotlight being a jackass.
True, I don't like any of these guys. This kind of crap is why. Interrupting your coach is absolutely putting yourself ahead of the team. May not be a huge deal but says quite a bit about the character of the players involved.
Wow, with all this recent posting I might have to get myself a real name - although guest 9884 is pretty catchy. |
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crichards
Top Prospect
Canada
13 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2010 : 01:16:28
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[quote]Originally posted by Yewcandoit
I'll have to side with crichards on this.
I agree it was unprofessional, and more is expected from a captain. Unfortunately a lot of the teams are handing the C to their top scorer, which I do not agree with. Because of this, I don't expect as much from the captains as I did before.
Ovie is in the prime of his life. Playing hockey for a livng and getting paid 11mil/year. If I had that deal, I would feel untouchable, especially at that age.
I totally agree that the Captaincy is (and has been for awhile) handed out way to early because guys are producing points or or expected to be the franchise player in the future. I consider Sidney Crosby to be mature for his age, however making him assistant captain 1/2 way through his first season and then a captain at 19 years of age seems insane. Can you imagine how seasoned veterans on the team felt? They did the same thing with Vinny Lecavalier a few years back.
To Ovechkin's credit he declined to be named captain very early in his career. I'm sure some viewed it as shirking responsibility but I think it could be considered a mature decision. I think we forget how young he still is.
I admire the teams that would actually make leaders and more mature players their captains as opposed to the star (or future star) of the team. The Montreal Canadiens of the 70's come to mind. Can you imagine Guy Lafleur not being the captain of his team in this day and age?
Anyways, Ovechkin could have picked a better place to have his post-game banter with friends but I don't really think it merits as much criticism as it has gotten him.
I wonder what hockey players think of the expectations we have of their conduct when they see fellow athletes from other famous sports leagues coming under fire for things liking carrying a gun, being involved in dealing drugs, taking steroids and various other illegal activities. A hockey player running a dog fighting ring would be unimaginable.
It is good to be held to a high standard but I think hockey fans should relax somewhat. |
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crichards
Top Prospect
Canada
13 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2010 : 01:26:58
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[/quotesize=2][quote]Originally posted by fat_elvis_rocked
To those who can't get past the fact that we don't hate Ovechkin, just don't care for his immaturity at times, how do you think Boudreau should feel about this incident? Do you think he should take the same stance? It's no big deal, it's just who he is? It's not like he's the president, he's just a fun loving guy, how can you help that?
Please, let me know what you think, in Bruce Boudreau's shoes.[/size=2]]
I agree if I was Bruce Boudreau, I would be ticked and would most likely have a conversation with Ovechkin after, telling him that I didn't appreciate what happened and why. I'd maybe see if he was aware that he was being a distraction to the interview. I'd probably remind him that he needs to be more careful as he is the leader of the team and is expected to set the example for the rest of the team. But I think that would be it. I think I would move on (unless Ovie was a jerk about it). I don't think there would be much more to it than that, unless this was a regular occurance. |
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Guest9884
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Posted - 11/28/2010 : 06:30:52
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| Yeah, you're probably right. Not exactly earth shattering stuff. I'm over it. |
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Ripley
PickupHockey Pro
USA
365 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2010 : 09:44:16
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quote:
I agree if I was Bruce Boudreau, I would be ticked and would most likely have a conversation with Ovechkin after, telling him that I didn't appreciate what happened and why. I'd maybe see if he was aware that he was being a distraction to the interview. I'd probably remind him that he needs to be more careful as he is the leader of the team and is expected to set the example for the rest of the team. But I think that would be it. I think I would move on (unless Ovie was a jerk about it). I don't think there would be much more to it than that, unless this was a regular occurance.[/size=3]
this is probably the most mature and unbiased opinion in this whole thread. Finally someone hasn't thrown a rock in a glass house.
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2010 : 10:08:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Ripley
quote:
I agree if I was Bruce Boudreau, I would be ticked and would most likely have a conversation with Ovechkin after, telling him that I didn't appreciate what happened and why. I'd maybe see if he was aware that he was being a distraction to the interview. I'd probably remind him that he needs to be more careful as he is the leader of the team and is expected to set the example for the rest of the team. But I think that would be it. I think I would move on (unless Ovie was a jerk about it). I don't think there would be much more to it than that, unless this was a regular occurance.[/size=3]
this is probably the most mature and unbiased opinion in this whole thread. Finally someone hasn't thrown a rock in a glass house.
WTF???? Glass house??? Seriously, I can say with every fiber of by being that I have never acted in this kind of disrespectful and unprofessional manor in my professional life. Ever. Unbiased opinion??? Again, WTF??? Just because the opinion may match yours does not make it bias or unbias.
Ovechkin is the leader. He should know this already and should not have to be 'told' how he should and should not act as the face of the franchise. Name me any reputable leader in any sport who has acted like this.
Just one would be fine.
Glass house, that's funny. |
Edited by - Beans15 on 11/28/2010 10:21:53 |
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leigh
Moderator
Canada
1755 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2010 : 17:18:41
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[quote:
Originally posted by Beans15
....Ovechkin is the leader. He should know this already and should not have to be 'told' how he should and should not act as the face of the franchise......
Can't disagree in principle with you Beans, but I believe that you have taken this to the extreme. Yes, he should know better. No, he should not act like this in the public eye (or "ear" in this case) But we do not know the circumstances, it is highly conceivable that they did not know they could be heard. I doubt that they knew just how intrusive it was, therefore I doubt that he was being intentionally rude or "unprofessional" as you put it.
A couple points here:
1) He's 25 years old. Still pretty damn young! People are not born knowing how to behave in every situation. While I'm sure he knows not to make noise at a press conference, he may not have known how much noise or how distracting they were being at that time. I'm sure he learned a lesson here and you likely won't hear/see this type of behaviour from him again.
2) The team knows what they get with Ovechkin. He's a rock star (almost literally!) and it is his ability and demeanor that sell the tickets in Washington. While this was a nuisance it's hardly worth lambasting him. With Ovechkin, at this point in his career, you cannot have both. He may one day give a team both but not right now. Let the kid evolve.
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Guest4311
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Posted - 11/28/2010 : 19:22:55
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| How do you know it was Semin/Ovechkin/Kovalchuk ? |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2010 : 20:37:47
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Yeah Leigh, I might be a bit agressive on it, but still. It's embarassing. The media does nothing but bash any other professional athlete that acts like a knob is any way, shape, or form and yet Ovechkin gets these, 'oh he's just who he is and he's a rock star and what ever else.'
He has been in the spotlight for well over a decade between him playing for Dynamo Moscow at 16 to now his 6th NHL season. How much evolution does a guy need??
Ultimately, I find him brash, arrogant, and entitled. Everything a true leader is not. There are guys younger and less experienced that don't need to be told these things.
Now, did Washington know what they were getting themselves into?? Ya, more than likely. But that still doesn't make it right, does it??
Many other coaches in the NHL would stripe a C over less. It's painfully obvious that Ovechkin can do what ever he wants in Washington. |
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Sensfan101
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
500 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2010 : 12:42:34
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Beans you honestly think any coach in the NHL would strip a C over having a laugh a little to close to a press conference?
You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take Wayne Gretzky |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2010 : 13:54:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Sensfan101
Beans you honestly think any coach in the NHL would strip a C over having a laugh a little to close to a press conference?
You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take Wayne Gretzky
No, I don't think a coach would strip a C for laughing a little. I think a coach would strip a C for a playing being disrespectful, putting himself ahead of the team, and ultimately being a d-bag.
Let's not forget this is far from Ovechkin's first brush with a situation like this. Anyone remember the Malkin/Ovechkin fued where Ovechkin punched Malkin's agent outside of a night club in Russia?? What about BB having to 'talk' to Ovechkin about his stupid goal celebrations and specifically the hot stick crap. Let's also throw in the super cool Ovechkin pushing one of his fans to the ground in Vancouver during the Olympics. And how many suspensions in the past few seasons for questionable hits?? 2 or 3?? I can't remember. And this latest thing that BB had to 'talk' to him about.
Why is it that after each of Ovechkin's antics the fans and media justify things through countless different ways???
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Utemin
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
451 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2010 : 16:28:24
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They play hockey for the fun of it, if the coach and the press can't respect that they can go jump a bridge, its not like they were doing anything wrong.
The Monkey is me |
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Guest6597
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Posted - 11/29/2010 : 21:46:30
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| Guys... it wasn't Ovechkin, it was Kovalchuk and Semin. Ovechkin wasnt even there. Quit the rumors |
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Yewcandoit
Rookie
Canada
115 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2010 : 23:19:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest6597
Guys... it wasn't Ovechkin, it was Kovalchuk and Semin. Ovechkin wasnt even there. Quit the rumors
If that's true, then this thread wins. |
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Guest5052
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Posted - 11/30/2010 : 09:50:20
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OK, i rarely wade in here, but its a slow work day.
first of all it seems to me that the anti Ovechkin crowd has suggested that it is not the act of fraternizing with their opponents, but the fact that they did so interrupting a media conference.
First let me address fraternizing with the opposition, although that may be moot. It is a bold and perhaps true, perhaps not, assumption that fraternizing with opponents pre or post game leads to less competitive behaviour. This is the Bobby Clarke hockey/ sports is war mentality. I mean no judgment on that mentality, but it strikes me that there are many posters on here who dont always appreciate that view and would prefer to let skill and what I will call less violent aggression/effort/competitiveness prevail. There is nothing automatic that these athletes cant fraternize with friends and still display the utmost competitive efforts. If nothing else I wouldnt say Ovechkin doesn't try, he may just not be disciplined enough (altho I m not totally sure i believe that).
As has been mentioned, this fraternization happens in every sport.
Second, if you agree that fraternizing with your fellow countrymen, but opponent of the night isnt so bad, then surely interrupting a media conference isnt the worst sin. Yes it is unprofessional, but ask yourself this, if they were interrupting the media conference as between teammates would it draw the same ire?
If the answer is yes, then perhaps we disagree on the sanctity of post game media scrums (again I mean no disrespect to this, but to me interrupting a press conference warrants a 'hey don’t do that again' talk, but little else)
If the answer is no, and be honest, then I revert back to my first point that perhaps it is an assumption, perhaps a don cherry/ bobby clarke north American assumption, that such fraternization (around the rink) is inherently bad for the game.
Perhaps it is the revelation that these guys fraternize that we may not want to believe, that seems unprofessional. I'm not sure that that is not willful blindness.
Just my longwinded food for thought.
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crichards
Top Prospect
Canada
13 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2010 : 23:20:24
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[quote]Originally posted by Guest5052
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Second, if you agree that fraternizing with your fellow countrymen, but opponent of the night isnt so bad, then surely interrupting a media conference isnt the worst sin. Yes it is unprofessional, but ask yourself this, if they were interrupting the media conference as between teammates would it draw the same ire?
If the answer is yes, then perhaps we disagree on the sanctity of post game media scrums (again I mean no disrespect to this, but to me interrupting a press conference warrants a 'hey don’t do that again' talk, but little else)
I think Guest5052 raises a good point. Does this mean that when the media comes in to interview players in the dressingroom after the game that the players have to tiptoe around and keep their voices down to be respectful while the media ask questions like, "Coach, do you think your best players were your best players tonight?" or asking if goaltending was an issue when the goalie gave up 5 goals on 19 shots?
I also echo a previous comment that asked how do we know who was talking in the background? Does anyone know how the players were pinpointed? |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2010 : 07:52:25
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OK, firstly here is a report discussing the situation. Ovechkin was named along with Kovalchuk and Semin and a 2nd reported also make a statement specifically discussion Ovechkin being there.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=342527
Secondly, let's not cloud this situations with making uneven comparisons. This was not a conversations in the dressing room. Press conferences are specifically designed to give a forum for people to talk. This is not an ad hoc interview in a dressing room full of players.
Finally, it's not that big of a deal. However, my point from the start is that the leader of you team, the face of your franchise, regardless of what people want to think are held to a standard of professionalism. If Ovechkin is chatting with his countrymen after a game, who cares. But when it interupts your coach during a press conference, it is unprofessional.
Just a quick questions. If this is such a non-issue, why don't we see it happen more often??? |
Edited by - Beans15 on 12/01/2010 07:54:37 |
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fat_elvis_rocked
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
902 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2010 : 15:52:31
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If I am paying hundreds of dollars of my hard earned money to watch professional hockey, and am willing to give that kind of financial support to a team that doesn't take losing seriously enough, AT THE APPROPRIATE TIMES, then yes, I should have every right to be incensed by them, and their most visible player's inappropriate behavior.
No one is saying he shouldn't fraternize with anyone, if anything that is being supported, no one is saying he has to be the stern leader type, every time he is in public.
All I am getting at is that there is a time and place for all situations and conversations, and if your timing is less than impeccable, you should be called out on it, always, If you are a multi-millionaire athlete, providing nothing more than fluff entertainment for the masses, that is all they really are doing, then even moreso.
If it was Crosby, Fleury and Toews caught in the same situation, you bet I would be just as quick to pass my judgement on them, rude is rude, dumb is dumb. Doesn't matter who it is.
Same thing if it was Crosby, slapping camera people, crosschecking the Campbells, or doing some stupid-looking 50-goal celebration, I'd be all over the problems I have with that.
Funny thing is, Ovie's the only player of his talent level that seems to do theses things. I just wish he would stop putting himself in these situations, he's much too easy to like, to have to kinda dislike, if that makes any sense. |
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Ovi/Semin/Kovalchuk's post-game 
