11/05/24
July 08, 2004
Dynamo Seeking $2 Million for Ovechkin: Alexander Ovechkin, picked number one overall by the Washington Capitals, has one year left on his Moscow Dynamo contract. Ovechkin wants to play in the NHL this season, and the Caps sure as hell want him to play this season, but Dynamo wants at least $2 million to release him. You are Ted Leonsis, what do you do?
After getting rid of Jagr, Lang, etc. last season I would probably pay the $2 million to bring Ovechkin over to help sell tickets. He would probably do a better job at that than Jeff Halpern, assuming there are any games to sell tickets for...
posted by Stan Fields at 02:11 PM on July 08, 2004
Joel Kwiatkowski will put the fans in the seats! I agree with Stan. Think of the losses the Caps will incur season-ticket-wise if they don't bring him in. Is there a single marketable player on that team anymore? Also, they should offer Bondra a contract if he doesn't sign with Ottawa, as a goodwill gesture to the fans. Bondra IS the Washington Capitals.
posted by Succa at 02:17 PM on July 08, 2004
You'll have to be the $2m to the Ruskies now or later. The days of $200k for a top-flight player are done. It was a ridiculous arrangement that expolited the Russians, and they'll now want their just returns. Succa, that's a great idea! Though I'm not sure he would go back. He never wanted to leave in the first place. I've also heard the Rangers are looking to ink Bondra for his PP skills. Earth-shattering bit of gossip, eh?
posted by garfield at 02:22 PM on July 08, 2004
The Leaf fan in me sees Bondra and thinks of Wendel Clark. Mr. Wendel gave his heart, mind and health to the Leafs, and then they traded him (for Sundin, true, but still), and it kind of broke his spirit. I'm afraid that Bondra is going to start to fade quickly now too. Which would make him perfect for the Rangers. Even if he goes back to Washington, he won't be the same. And they should let Ovechkin grow another year in Rusia. Let the labor situation pan out, and then when the CBA gets signed, cut him a big check and be gracious about it.
posted by chicobangs at 02:52 PM on July 08, 2004
The Leaf fan in me sees Bondra and thinks of Wendel Clark. Mr. Wendel gave his heart, mind and health to the Leafs, and then they traded him (for Sundin, true, but still), and it kind of broke his spirit. Every time I remember that trade I want to cry. Especially the way you worded it. Go Leafs... As for Ovechkin, they might as well just pay it up and gamble on there actually being a season. Plus that way they'll have their hands on him even if their isn't a season, which provides some insurance that he won't get injured playing in Russia.
posted by insomnyuk at 03:12 PM on July 08, 2004
....or be drafted.
posted by garfield at 03:22 PM on July 08, 2004
Pfft! 2 lousy million! The going rate in soccer is a little higher...
posted by salmacis at 06:45 AM on July 11, 2004
I say let him play out his last year in Russia. There may not be a new NHL season for a quite a while, so why spend the millions now? Not only do you have to shell out the dough to Dynamo, but you also have to sign Ovechkin to a contract. Of course, that's gonna cost you another couple of million.