It's all about individuals

Here we go again. A bit provocative title, but nevertheless.. Picking up the blogging after a long pause results in a yet another post containing a little bit about everything. And thus nothing in any particular depth. Try to bear with me. Comment, and impose focus.

I briefly mentioned Ilya Kovalchuk in the previous post, but I believe his case is worth ripping open a bit more. I haven't had enough time to actually watch through that many NHL games lately and the highlight clips don't really cover that much of the big picture. However, I've seen Kovalchuk play in several international games in the past and continue to be impressed. I've always liked the speedy forwards and this guy can really fly. And at least on international tournaments, Kovalchuk has been the number one forward in team. No hard feelings, Ovie, but he has delivered.

I don't think that the guy has actually lost his legs, skills or that booming shot. He's just landed to a completely wrong team. Kovalchuk needs to be treated like a superstar, his heroics admired, his shorcomings forgiven. That's a guy who just cannot find the motivation in being "one of the guys". In Atlanta it worked, even sharing the spotlight with Marian Hossa and Dany Heatley. The Devils are just so boring in so many apects. They need to set up a "fun line", combining the Star with some young prospect with great talent and admiration to Kovalchuk's style of play. Throw in some veteran playmaker with good legs and let the guys play offence. Back this combo up with the most solid defencive pair you've got and hope they end up on the scoring end more than on the receiving. Kovalchuk will never be the leader in plus/minus category. His task is to inspire the team with the flashy magics. This season's ship has sailed for New Jersey, but they'd still have a decent period to break in the new top line for the next season comeback.

Keep your eyes open in Edmonton. They have a lot of promise in their young roster and the next years should see the team rising in the rankings like mad. Time is limited however, since these young stars will end up asking for big paychecks after the intitial contracts expire.

Pay special attention to Linus Omark. He has proven himself to be just a natural threat in the offencive zone on Swedish league, international games and AHL. He should be given all the time to break in the NHL too. Whoever gives him that will reap the rewards later on. The only mistake here is to not let the guy have fun in the rink. To require some old-fashioned honour code on behavior or some other lame bullshit like that. This guy is an entertainer and he'll let the actions do the speaking. It does take some balls to play around like he did in his first shootout in the big boys' league. Scolded by some grey ones, but cheered by so many more. And that was just showing off, not talent. If you want a quick tour to this guy's hockey sense and skills, browse YouTube. There's a plenty.

I'd say if a young player entering NHL has the balls to act like a showman, let him. If he then fails to deliver in the games, that's a personal downfall. It's not the team that looks foolish, just the poor guy who dived in the deep end without the proper tools. If on the other hand, the guy succeeds, a cult and a following will soon be established and kids on the frozen ponds will carry on trying to imitate the tricks he's displayed. In the modern worls, star players can start from the top, if they got the goods. No need to grind their way over there through pain and sacrifice. Let's leave that for the less talented, but stubborn fellows.

And as an end note to General managers and team owners. It's not the tightly knit teams and strategic mid-ice traps that people come to watch in the games. It's the magic that superstars bring in the game, witnessing something unreal. Leaving the arena in awe, shaking their heads and muttering "Still cannot understand how he did it.."

But don't go shopping or drafting for Kovalchuks if you're not willing to let them shine brighter than the others.