Alex Ovechkin s a leader in Washington
You don't exactly have to be flirting with Mensa to figure out the Washington Capitals are destined to be an NHL powerhouse within a few years.
Why wait?
Ah, what the hell, let's see how they match up against the big boys, say, right now.
Arguably the most dominant player on the planet today, the gap-tooth, mop-topped Alex Ovechkin, is locked up in D.C. for a least the next few U.S. presidential terms.
Think about. When Ovechkin is up for his next contract, Jessica Alba will have already celebrated her 40th birthday.
Yikes. Feeling a little older, are you?
With budding stars Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom lending support to OV, teams will probably want to stay out of the Capitals' path in the next couple of years months.
Obviously, they are thinking playoffs in Washington - as in this year.
Judging by the manner in which the Capitals steamrolled the Boston Bruins last night, who, incidentally, are one of the hottest teams in the league, Capitals fans aren't necessarily counting down the days to baseball season. Then again, with the Nationals ready to stink out the joint for another year, I'm sure that was never much of an issue, either.
A few more efforts like Monday's and they may be able to start whispering that ‘p' word in Washington.
More than a few eyebrows were raised on deadline day when the Capitals brought in Stanley Cup winner Sergei Fedorov from Columbus and Cristobal Huet, who was on borrowed time with Carey Price warming up in the bullpen in Montreal.
But it's obvious what Ted Leonsis and George McPhee were thinking when they made those bold moves. You've got this much talent in one room, why wait for success? Let's make our move now.
Hey, they did it in Pittsburgh.
A few months ago, I mused that Vincent Lecavalier may be the best hockey player on the planet.
I'm using a mulligan. The more I watch him, the more I am convinced Ovechkin gets that crown ahead of Lecavalier, Crosby, Malkin or anyone else.
And he looks like he is ready to strap his team to his back and taken them straight to the dance.