On October 5, all-time NHL goal scoring leader Alex Ovechkin announced his 22nd NHL season will be his last. Joining Neil and Vic today will be the man who called Ovie's very first goal in 2005 and the record-breaker 20 years later.
Joe Beninati stops by to share his memories of Ovechkin's journey, the upcoming farewell tour and a legacy that is a bit more complicated than goal scoring.
IN THIS EPSIODE:
[01:52] - Neil welcomes Joe who quickly hits on the gratitude of covering Alex Ovechkin for so long before going back on how his broadcasting career began. We also learn Beninati was an accomplished lacrosse goalie.
[06:41] - A wordsmith, Beninati shares who influenced him to come up different words and phrases to describe a game while staying away from shtick. Some keen examples are included.
[10:08] - Moving to Ovechkin, the timeline of how the retirement announcement occurred.
[12:40] - From his first goal in October 2005, where Beninati could see the legendary greatness to come.
[14:51] - Ovechkin's relationship with Sidney Crosby, two players who will be linked together forever and one where respect has grown over the years.
[16:42] - The fortune for the NHL to have had Ovechkin and Crosby on the heels of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, not to mention the continuation of stars as 8 and 87 wind down their careers.
[18:36] - Statistical perspective of Ovechkin's goal scoring intersecting with a robust style of play marvels to this day.
[19:54] - While best known for the one-timer from the left wing circle, Ovechkin's portfolio for scoring goals is more than just the signature blast.
[23:00] - Whether Ovechkin's physicality early in his career has helped by him more space as time's gone on.
[26:01] - The farewell tour for OV begins which will no doubt include some interesting parting gifts from around the NHL.
[28:39] - The potential complexity of Ovechkin's legacy given his September appearance in a political ad supporting Vladimir Putin's United Russia party.
[30:10] - Wrapping up with Joe on a positive note with an honor coming his way - along with longtime broadcast partner Craig Laughlin - Saturday night.
[37:01] - Wrapping up the discussion with Joe Beninati hitting on other announcers identifiable with their teams as well as further elaboration on the political intersection with sports.
[40:00] - If you haven't had enough of "rankings" on sports websites, add this one to the absurd.
[43:24] - Personnel news from around the league from injuries to returns to first goals.
[55:05] - The Lineup.pro Stat of the Week
[58:38] - Smith's Pix
X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound
Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil
Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/
NHL Wraparound Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhlwraparound/
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