TJ Oshie signed an 8 year, team friendly contract, leaving a lot of money on the table in favor of stability and the flexibility to play the role to which he is best suited - digging for pucks and scoring hard goals. This kind of team-oriented behavior, along with the way he conducts himself on and off the ice, is what leaders are made from.
Joe Thornton is a prime example of what can happen when the pressure to lead is too great; he posted monster numbers for years in San Jose, but with little to show for it. Since having his captaincy taken away, the Sharks have been much more successful, and Thornton still led from the front. Only, unlike Ovechkin, he did not have the burden of the C sewn onto his jersey, the heaviest letter in sports.
Ovechkin has matured greatly, but his style of leadership is obviously not the answer to the team's problems. Even when surrounded by a roster full of talented former first-round draft picks, multiple Cup winners, and Mr. Game 7 himself, the team falls flat. It is time for a drastic change. Ovechkin should not be the captain of this team.
Joe Thornton is a prime example of what can happen when the pressure to lead is too great; he posted monster numbers for years in San Jose, but with little to show for it. Since having his captaincy taken away, the Sharks have been much more successful, and Thornton still led from the front. Only, unlike Ovechkin, he did not have the burden of the C sewn onto his jersey, the heaviest letter in sports.
Ovechkin has matured greatly, but his style of leadership is obviously not the answer to the team's problems. Even when surrounded by a roster full of talented former first-round draft picks, multiple Cup winners, and Mr. Game 7 himself, the team falls flat. It is time for a drastic change. Ovechkin should not be the captain of this team.
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