- Article
- Comments ()
- Videos
Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee had the unreadable expression of a poker player trying to hide a straight flush.
He was being coy, and when you have the best hand -- in this case, the first overall pick in next month's amateur draft -- you don't want to tip off anyone.
"Have you seen this Russian kid in person?" McPhee was asked.
"Who?" he replied, his expression unchanged.
Who?
Who is McPhee trying to fool?
Alexander Ovechkin, the 18-year-old Russian in question, is undeniably the best player in this year's draft. The Moscow-born wing has an amazing degree of maturity, skill, speed and skating ability. No other player in this draft class or any recent class is even close. In fact, scouts, reporters, agents and other general managers say he is the "total package" -- possibly the best player available since Mario Lemieux came out in 1984.
You could get longer odds on Smarty Jones winning the Belmont Stakes than the Caps selecting Ovechkin with the first pick, and yet McPhee has to make it seem plausible Washington might consider someone else when it picks June26 in Raleigh, N.C.
He refuses to discuss individuals because he claims there are so many variables involved. And he might be right.
"The hockey graveyard is full [of can't-miss prospects]," he said. Eight years ago the Caps took Alexandre Volchkov with the fourth pick overall. He was the best forward available, despite a checkered past, and he was too big a talent to pass on.
Post a comment
There are comments on this article, submit your opinion!
If you feel there is still something worth mentioning about this entry please contact the author or the site admin.