Episode 152 of teh Hockey Free For All Podcast 04-11-2025

Hello Hockey fans out there. Take a listen to Episode 152 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast, the Alex Ovechkin and Ivan Demidov all Russian episode.

#1. Alexander Ovechkin has–

Played 20 years in the NHL

Started his career with winning the rookie of the year with a 52 goal, 54 assist and 106 point rookie season.

Has had a 65-goal season

Has had Nine 50 goal plus season’s

Has Had Five 40 goal plus season’s

Tied Wayne Gretzky’s goal scoring record in the exact same amount of seasons and games.

Won the Calder Memorial Trophy in his rookie season

Has won the Art Ross Trophy once

Has won the Hear Memorial Trophy as the MVP of the NHL (3) Times

Has won the Lester B Person Trophy

Has won the Ted Lindsay Award Twice

Won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the Playoffs in the 2017/2018 when the Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup.

And that’s not enough, has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy 9 times. That’s right 9 times.

#2. Yet. Somehow there are people questioning his amazing career and achievements.

#3. There was a report saying, left wingers are the least import players of all on a team’s roster.

 #4. Is there anyone who wouldn’t have wanted Steve Shutt, Luc Robitaile, Maurice Richard, Brett Hull, Henri Richard, Jaromir Jagr, Yvan Cournoyer or Guy Lafleur on their team. If wingers are the least important. Explain this please. Can’t wait to hear that reasoning.

#5. Extremely unlikely, that anyone currently in the NHL catches or Breaks  Alexander Ovechkin’s goal total.

#6. Thankfully for Ivan Demidov, he flew into Toronto.

#7. Give Ivan Demidov Space.

#8. Give Ivan Demidov the time to develop.

#9. Give Ivan Demidov the opportunity to get his footing and to adapt to a massive amount of life changes, as he has just left his family, friends and every single thing familiar to him behind, and now finds himself at 19-years of age, in a brand new foreign country, he no one outside of the organization and is looking for a place to live and start his life and career.

#10. At a minimum, until after the completion of the 2024/2025 regular season, after the conclusion of the 2024/2025 playoffs, until after the 2025/2026 rookie camp has completed and after the 2025/2026 training camp and preseason has completed, there is for any expectations on this prospect.

#11. Once Ivan Demidov has regular linemates, knows what line he is playing on, and what the responsibility of his line is, can there even begin to be any kind of expectation.