I agree with Wilsons view over the dismay of orchestrated celebrations. Spur of the moment celebrations that openly involve other team mates is much better. This is a team sport, and the spotlight show not be about individual accomplishments. It’s not like Ovechkin, or anyone else, has scored 50 goals in a season before.

I wonder if the league will institute a delay-of-game penalty for over-the-top celebrations? I hope so.

meh-ish on it, still a bit on the fence, I don’t think its a huge problem but at the same time I can see where people who condemn it are coming from… before his celebrations were just very spontaneous and joyous but when he starts orchestrating this stuff then we’re moving closer to NFL territory which is something I would rather see the NHL stay as far away from as possible (besides the finances)

This is pretty much exactly my take. I like when Ovie gets excited and bounces around because it never felt contrived. He just seemed like he really like to play hockey and score goals, and that was fine.

But doing something pre-planned is different. That’s getting into NFL territory, and that won’t work in the NHL.

So basically I agree with Gary Bettman. I’m going to go do a backflip off my window ledge now.

I think this is a non issue. If elaborate pre-planned celebrations occur someone’s going to get punched in the face.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are a chicken shit team and every player in their locker room poops their pants when they see Ovechkin.

yeah, if he keeps it up it’s only a matter of time before someone (to quote ken hitchcock) makes him ‘eat his lunch’. that shit will just not fly in the NHL.