[News] Ovechkin benched for sleeping in

[Jacks]

I would have put it to a anonymous vote for all the players. 1) Ovy sits a game out 2) Ovy runs the stairs for an hour (or something like that). I'm guessing his fellow players would want him in the game, he could still pay a price but not hurt the rest of the team. Those 2 points could be the difference in a playoff spot or even millions of dollars if it cost them home ice.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Jacks

I would have put it to a anonymous vote for all the players. 1) Ovy sits a game out 2) Ovy runs the stairs for an hour (or something like that). I'm guessing his fellow players would want him in the game, he could still pay a price but not hurt the rest of the team. Those 2 points could be the difference in a playoff spot or even millions of dollars if it cost them home ice.

If it were me, I would punish Ovi with something like that. Running the stairs or even a shaming in front of teammates where he has to read out an apology or something.

Trotz must be the task master of task masters to scratch a guy like Ovi though over an honest mistake like that. Especially looks bad that they got whooped 5 zip.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

If it were me, I would punish Ovi with something like that. Running the stairs or even a shaming in front of teammates where he has to read out an apology or something.

Trotz must be the task master of task masters to scratch a guy like Ovi though over an honest mistake like that. Especially looks bad that they got whooped 5 zip.

Nope. Far from it.

There is a Code of Conduct agreement, players all have it, and there are consequences for actions.

Its actually a great idea and I've used them when I was coaching.

What matters is that he was late/absent, what doesnt matter is why.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Locke

Nope. Far from it.

There is a Code of Conduct agreement, players all have it, and there are consequences for actions.

Its actually a great idea and I've used them when I was coaching.

What matters is that he was late/absent, what doesnt matter is why.

Manu Tuilagi disagrees with your approach.

I do not.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Locke

Nope. Far from it.

There is a Code of Conduct agreement, players all have it, and there are consequences for actions.

Its actually a great idea and I've used them when I was coaching.

What matters is that he was late/absent, what doesnt matter is why.

Well the two points in the standings DO MATTER. And they got whooped while their best player sat.

Is there an actual rule that says if you are late, you sit one game? Or is the punishment the coaches discretion? I believe it's coaches discretion. And if I was coach, I'd punish him differently.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Manu Tuilagi disagrees with your approach.

I do not.

As long as its mutual, clear and understood it removes the onus from both parties.

"Were you absent?"

- Yes.

"The contract indicates that you're scratched for being absent."

- Okay.

It isnt ambiguous or up for debate. Thing 'A' occurred and the mutual agreement indicates that for that offense consequence 'B' is employed. Done.

Simple. Clean. Ovie takes his lumps, Trotz isnt the bad guy and order is maintained on the team and chaos is not allowed to reign free.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Well the two points in the standings DO MATTER. And they got whooped while their best player sat.

Is there an actual rule that says if you are late, you sit one game? Or is the punishment the coaches discretion? I believe it's coaches discretion. And if I was coach, I'd punish him differently.

I agree with you, and you're right, the 2 points do matter. But so do team rules.

How many points might you lose if you allow discord in the dressing room because Ovie is special and the rules dont apply to him?

Besides, they got whooped 5-0, Ovie or no Ovie those points probably werent there for the taking.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Locke

I agree with you, and you're right, the 2 points do matter. But so do team rules.

How many points might you lose if you allow discord in the dressing room because Ovie is special and the rules dont apply to him?

Besides, they got whooped 5-0, Ovie or no Ovie those points probably werent there for the taking.

The question is the rule itself. Is punishment discretionary or is it clearly stated that if you're late, you're scratched.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Locke

As long as its mutual, clear and understood it removes the onus from both parties.

"Were you absent?"

- Yes.

"The contract indicates that you're scratched for being absent."

- Okay.

It isnt ambiguous or up for debate. Thing 'A' occurred and the mutual agreement indicates that for that offense consequence 'B' is employed. Done.

Simple. Clean. Ovie takes his lumps, Trotz isnt the bad guy and order is maintained on the team and chaos is not allowed to reign free.

I agree with you.


But you might have missed my Manu reference.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The question is the rule itself. Is punishment discretionary or is it clearly stated that if you're late, you're scratched.

I think if you bring in discretion you open the door to descent in the room.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I agree with you.


But you might have missed my Manu reference.

Totally went over my head. Who is Manu?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Locke

Totally went over my head. Who is Manu?

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...fficer-england


He was a shoe in, if fit, for England.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Locke

Totally went over my head. Who is Manu?

No wait, that's not right...

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The question is the rule itself. Is punishment discretionary or is it clearly stated that if you're late, you're scratched.

I think ultimately its discretionary, for instance I recall an incident where two guys had a flat tire en-route.

But if the coach doesnt enforce it then its on him. And I dont think he can change the consequence because thats not been mutually agreed upon in the Code of Conduct contract.

[Poe969]

You know who didn't sleep in...McDavid! He also scored last night and Ovi wasn't even in the lineup. Ovi is washed up, McDavid is goodest!

I hate when things like this happen (the sleeping in part, not the being sat out part) because they're so avoidable. Trotz did the right thing, Ovi admitted he made a mistake. Professionals being professional. I think the caps will do well this year.

[Coach]

When you're trying to breed good team-oriented habits, you have to be willing to sacrifice in order to make a point. You can look at it as "Oh man! the coach held out our best player for a superficial reason and we lost. What an idiot!" But I guarantee the message from the coach is "Look, we can't win without everyone, particularly our best player. He lost focus and made a mistake and now the whole team pays for it. It's the same when one guy decides he doesn't want to give a full effort, or decides the blond in row one across the way is more interesting than the game. You play a man short, even if he's there." and when that is echoed by your captain, best player, and the man who sat out, it makes that much more of an impact.

Trotz was probably glad he was able to use Ovie as an example. Not because he needed it, but maybe because the team needed it.

[Looch City]

You know who doesn't sleep in? McDavid.

McDavid has now played one more game this season than Ovechkin.

McDavid: 1
Ovechkin: 0

This kid just continues to impress.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Jacks

I would have put it to a anonymous vote for all the players. 1) Ovy sits a game out 2) Ovy runs the stairs for an hour (or something like that). I'm guessing his fellow players would want him in the game, he could still pay a price but not hurt the rest of the team. Those 2 points could be the difference in a playoff spot or even millions of dollars if it cost them home ice.

Trotz must believe (and probably rightfully so) that re-enforcing his teams culture and accountability by risking these 2pts is a net positive move in terms of points gained by the end of the season.

[Tbull8]

Good on Trotz for showing the team that everyone is accountable.
Also good on Ovechkin for taking the punishment and not whining to the media about it. I'm sure Ovi apologized to his teammates anyways without having to be told to.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Jacks

I would have put it to a anonymous vote for all the players. 1) Ovy sits a game out 2) Ovy runs the stairs for an hour (or something like that). I'm guessing his fellow players would want him in the game, he could still pay a price but not hurt the rest of the team. Those 2 points could be the difference in a playoff spot or even millions of dollars if it cost them home ice.

This is why players play, presidents run the business, and coaches coach.

The coach doesn't give a rats behind what the players want. They have rules, this is what happens if you don't follow them. End of story. If he strays from that he's lost. The coach doesn't care about the millions of dollars, he cares about creating a winning team, which hopefully leads them to the playoffs. If he didn't believe his team can make up 2 points, then it's a lost season regardless. And finally, the POINT is that it hurts the team and not just Ovie. Not following team rules, accidental or not, undermines the team mentality and thus hurts the team.