Through 13 games this season Alexander Ovechkin has 13 points. Let’s call it a slow start. For most NHLers a point/game would be something to crack open a beer about. And a 40+ goal pace isn’t exactly bad for a rookie season. But we’re talking about a young Todd Bertuzzi here. 100 points is going to be a given for this guy.

Ovechkin, the 20 year old Russian forward for the Caps, goes about 6′2″, 212. Take a look at his junior stats and you probably won’t be too impressed. In 53 games for Dynamo-Moscow in 2003-2004 Ovechkin only tallied 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists). He posted 2 points in the 2003-2004 World Junior Tournament, and wasn’t even close to point/game status in any of his 2 professional seasons.

So what is there to like about Ovechkin?

He’s a superb skater with excellent speed. His puck-handling is top notch. He possesses tremendous on-ice vision. And, most importantly, he’s got an accurate shot. He’s a total player and is probably your #3, or 4 scorer in 5 years.

Ovechkin is going to tally more goals than assists. He’s not supposed to be a tough grinder like Rick Nash, but he plays a Rick Nash game. That means those assist totals aren’t necessarily going to rise as he gets used to a North American game. He already plays an NA style. I think it’s just so easy for him to score that he doesn’t need to pass.

The Bertuzzi comparison holds up the best. Although you might be tempted to compare him to Alfredsson or Forsberg. He’s defensively aware, like all three of those guys, but his game is a little more power than finesse. Peter is 6′1″, 205. So you’re talking about like body types. And as much as we think of Alfredsson as a smallish finesse player he’s 5′11″, 202.

Update: I may as well respond to some criticism of this article. When I say “call this a slow start,” I mean it ironically. If you’re looking for a reason Ovechkin isn’t leading the league in points it’s not because he’s on a line with Jeff Halpern and Chris Clark. Here’s a line from his central scouting report: “in junior competition, tends to crash the net, taking two or three players with him, and then passing the puck off to the side to a wide open teammate.” Ovechkin is a power forward and those players don’t, at least traditionally, rack up big assist totals. He’s playing on a line with a couple defensive-minded players to give him the freedom to make risky plays down low. I think his linemates are a perfect fit and not a hindrance to his game.

He’s playing 17 minutes/night and still going at a point/game pace. In the past you could have made a point for weak linemates dragging a skilled player down. But Halpern and Clark are good skaters and Ovechkin can make his own shots.

And as for the other comments: what else is there to say? When you call a rookie a 100-point player I think it’s pretty clear that you’re singing his praises.

As for the best rookie since Lindros: I’ll take Selanne’s 76 goals and 132 points in 84 games over Lindros’ 75 points in 61 games. Forget the penalty minutes and +/- differential. Lindros had 18 power-play points. Selanne had 49.

Alexander Ovechkin’s Junior Stats

Alexander Ovechkin Player Profile