- 2 days ago
It feels like Washington should, but will they bring back the best player in Capitals history?
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00:00The theory that I think is incredibly flawed is that Alex Ovechkin,
00:05the team's leading goal scorer and point scorer, is somehow holding them up.
00:09Like he was the reason they didn't make the playoffs.
00:13And I also, I checked with people on the agency side of this.
00:17If you want to make the salary cap argument surrounding Ovi, okay.
00:22I was told this is a, quote, piss poor free agency class.
00:26Yeah. So it's not like the answer ain't coming through the door and Ovi's holding it up.
00:31And I don't think he's going to ask for so much that it's going to cripple your budget.
00:35Not from what I've seen and what I've read.
00:38I think it's weird because I think that this is being overthought to a large.
00:44A hundred percent, dude.
00:45Way overthought.
00:46Now, when Ovi said up there at the podium in Columbus, I think, honestly,
00:51I'm pretty sure it's not my last game.
00:53And then goes on to say, I hope it's not my last game.
00:57I'll have to make a decision to see where we are.
00:59The team, family, obviously, family's going to support me.
01:02Like my wife and kids already asked me, Dad, are you staying or not?
01:05And I tell them, we'll see.
01:06Yeah, they're excited.
01:08Okay.
01:09He said, though, that even though he's going to be an unrestricted free agent July 1st,
01:13he said he wouldn't play for any team other than Washington.
01:17Good.
01:18I don't want him to play for any other team.
01:20So that, in essence, to me, J.P. says he's telling the Capitals,
01:25if you want to retire me without a proper send-off against my leanings and wishes,
01:33you can do that, which is a hell of a burden to put on the team
01:38if they were looking to move in that direction.
01:41I just don't think they are.
01:43So then why doesn't the team make a – why don't they send out a bat signal that says,
01:49oh, yeah, we're going to have him for another year, unless he wants two,
01:53unless he wants more money.
01:55Yeah.
01:55Unless there's something that's making the team hesitate.
01:58Because if it's one more year and the dollars are anywhere within the ballpark of reasonable,
02:04it's a done deal.
02:06Write the check.
02:07Let's have the pressure tomorrow.
02:08I think part of it is Alex wants to take his time, right?
02:12Like, he said repeatedly, I'm going to talk to my doctors.
02:16But this doesn't sound like he needs time.
02:19This sounds like he's ready.
02:21It's his family, right?
02:22Oh.
02:22I mean, that's what he's saying.
02:23But he said the family were, like, excited.
02:25He said we love the city.
02:27They love the team.
02:28They love the boys.
02:29But he's saying they want me to come back.
02:32He's not saying I want – like, he is –
02:34He also has young children.
02:36I know.
02:36I've had young children once.
02:38My kids – you know what my daughter asked me for for Christmas?
02:41My youngest daughter for this past Christmas?
02:42Taylor Swift tickets?
02:43No.
02:44She wanted a baby sister or a new dog.
02:46Like, kids want lots of things.
02:48I didn't explain to her that was medically impossible and it wasn't time for a dog.
02:52But, like, kids can want lots of things.
02:54You know what I'm saying?
02:55How old is your daughter?
02:57Then she was six.
02:58She's now seven.
02:58That is adorable.
03:01She wanted a baby sister or a new dog.
03:02That, JP, is both adorable and terrifying all at once because all you want to do as a dad is
03:09to make your six-year-old sweet little girl happy.
03:12And she's asked you for two things.
03:14One thing that is financially not feasible.
03:17The other one, which is medically impossible.
03:19Yeah.
03:19We went to V-Town.
03:21That club ain't getting back in the bag.
03:24Right?
03:24So, but my point there is, like, he has young children.
03:29They love it here.
03:30That's terrific.
03:31That doesn't mean he's ready to – I just –
03:33We're reading tea leaves and I did not read in the tea leaves and agonizing by Ovi about his body
03:40or his motivations or anything else.
03:43I read sort of a, yeah, I'd like to, but it's their team.
03:46I think he did put the pressure onto the team side.
03:49I think he did, which is interesting because if the team was sort of like, oh, boy, he wants to
03:57come back.
03:58God, I thought he was leaving.
04:00That is an odd dynamic.
04:02Would you not agree?
04:03Yes.
04:04But I weirdly think – I don't know if this is happening, Zabe, but I'll ask the question, right?
04:11It seems like there is an attempt, whether it's an attempt to frame missing the playoffs on Ovechkin or –
04:20and not by the team, I would say, but by, like, some media and then, like, some people, maybe within
04:25the team, got to get younger, got to get faster, all these things, right?
04:28And Ovi is not younger or faster.
04:31He was the team's leading goal scorer.
04:33He was their –
04:3332 goals, 32 assists.
04:35Leading point scorer.
04:37And they have some really talented young guys.
04:39But the way it was explained to me, if you're going to try to get a star, a star player
04:44– like, last year they made a run at the dude that ended up signing with Carolina, right?
04:48Yeah.
04:49They made a run at Panarin, who went to L.A., I think.
04:52Right.
04:52Like, they didn't get those guys.
04:54And if we – if we're really doing an autopsy on this season, I don't know enough on this topic.
05:00I was at a – do you know the – Fred Smoot in the building.
05:04What up, Freddy?
05:04Smoot!
05:05You got to come hang with us at some point.
05:06No, Fred doesn't like to talk.
05:08He's a great shot.
05:10How are you, buddy?
05:11What's up, fellas?
05:13We are good, man.
05:14You want to hop on right now?
05:15Give us your O-V take?
05:16Let's do it.
05:17Here's what I know about Fred.
05:18You get him while he's available.
05:19Get him while he's hot.
05:20What's up, fellas?
05:21What's good?
05:22Hello, hello, hello.
05:23We are good.
05:23Let's get Fred on TV.
05:24Y'all talking old Veskin?
05:26Yeah, dude.
05:26Yes, sir.
05:27All right.
05:27You're talking the greatest of all time.
05:29You're talking goat's meat.
05:30But we're talking, Fred, about just how a team's interest is often different from a player's –
05:38B-Mitch is here.
05:40B-Mitch is holding a pizza.
05:42Look at that.
05:44Paisano's Pizza Truck.
05:45Oh, let's go.
05:46Let's go.
05:46Let's go, indeed.
05:48I will get one.
05:49Thank you, Brian.
05:50The thing is, Freddie, is that when a team has their eyes set on moving on, if an athlete's like,
05:57I want to stay, it creates an awkward situation.
05:59It's called the Darryl Green effect.
06:01At what point can you push him out the door?
06:03Oh, God.
06:03And you cannot push him out the door.
06:05You got to let him ride it out.
06:06Remember when Marty tried?
06:08Yes.
06:08Didn't they go to Oklahoma drills?
06:10And Darryl was like, this is going to be my last year.
06:12Then they fired Marty, and he goes, I'll see you next year.
06:15Yes.
06:15Yes.
06:16But that's what it is.
06:17I think they got to just let Oveskin ride out into the sunset on his own terms.
06:22Yes.
06:23I agree.
06:24I think that's what they're going to do, also.
06:27But what's the delay?
06:29Why is this hard?
06:30The season ended three days ago.
06:32Yeah.
06:32To suggest this, the delay is a media fabrication.
06:34Fair enough.
06:35Literally, their season ended Tuesday night.
06:37It's Friday.
06:38I know.
06:38But they've had months to sort of size this up.
06:41But he had never said anything close to as definitive, which wasn't even definitive,
06:46about wanting to be back.
06:47He said his family wants him to come back.
06:49Well, he's going to come back.
06:50Come on.
06:51He's one of these guys, he can't live with that hockey.
06:53Let's just be honest.
06:54Like, he just cannot just walk away from that game.
06:57It's going to be hard.
06:58And let's be honest.
07:00Like Dale Green, he's aging well.
07:02Hell yeah.
07:02He's still one of the best goal guards.
07:04He was their best.
07:06Yes.
07:06So, what are you replacing him with?
07:09Exactly, dude.
07:10Like, this, we live in a microwave society where everybody, think about, like, next week's
07:17the draft, right?
07:18If you look at interest on social media, television viewership, whatever, you realize the NFL draft
07:23would be the second biggest sport in America after the NFL.
07:26If you broke it out into its own existence.
07:28Yes, TV ratings.
07:29TV ratings, pixels, social, anything, right?
07:33College football will be after the draft.
07:34Yeah.
07:34And you know what's going to happen by Thursday at midnight?
07:37There's going to be mock drafts for 2027.
07:39Yes.
07:41And, like, I'll let you read those.
07:42Right.
07:43With Archman and Oliver.
07:44But we live in a world where people constantly want to know what's next.
07:47Yeah.
07:48And I think we're doing that with Ovi when we shouldn't.
07:51Yeah.
07:51Like, the season ended Tuesday night.
07:53Do y'all remember?
07:54No, no, no.
07:54Do you remember a time before Ovi?
07:57Because it was different.
07:58It was different.
07:59We would not be leading the show with Ovi.
08:02Right.
08:02Yeah.
08:02So, at the end of the day, like, let his era play itself out.
08:06Let him be the decision maker in that.
08:09Can I ask a far more fun question?
08:11Yeah, do it.
08:12Did you and Ovi ever have a night out?
08:14I have not had a night out.
08:15Oh, man.
08:16Wouldn't that be legendary?
08:17But I have ran into him, and he's a vested drinker.
08:22So, I'm fine.
08:24He's from Russian stock.
08:26Yes.
08:26He's a solid man, too.
08:27He shows his background, all right?
08:30Right.
08:30Exactly.
08:31Fred, how's your golf game?
08:32What are you going to go out there and do today?
08:33It depends on the day.
08:35And today is my birthday, so it's going to be a good day.
08:37Is it really?
08:37Happy birthday.
08:38Hey.
08:38Happy birthday, man.
08:39How old?
08:4047.
08:4147.
08:41Well, I got Benjamin Button disease, so I'm getting younger.
08:45So, 27.
08:45You're not getting quieter.
08:47So, 27.
08:48So, I should swing him good out here today, JP.
08:50It's your birthday, dude.
08:51Enjoy yourself.
08:51Well, put it like this.
08:52The first, I'm going to say four holes, five holes, I should be sober.
08:57Okay.
08:57I'll take the under.
09:01Now, everything after that, you know, just let it play itself out.
09:04What, I haven't seen the bar.
09:07Is it, well, who's sponsoring?
09:09You got a little bit of everything?
09:10Tequila?
09:10Of course, you know, Tanner loves Tito.
09:12Right.
09:12This is go-to right there.
09:14Talent loves Tito.
09:16Tanner loves Tito.
09:17Tanner loves Tito.
09:19So, Tito's most definitely there.
09:20But for me, I'm more of a whiskey bourbon guy.
09:23Attaboy.
09:23All right.
09:24So, you can find me with the basil hating all around me.
09:26So, I'm going to have a good time.
09:28Like, I was always taught by a long line of alcoholics in Mississippi.
09:31Oh, boy.
09:32That your drink should have a first and a last name.
09:36So, I drink Jack Daniels.
09:38I like that.
09:39I drink basil hating.
09:41All right.
09:41So, first and a last name.
09:42I don't drink anything with one name.
09:44I like that.
09:44So, I don't drink Tito's.
09:46Right.
09:46He drinks wild turkey.
09:48Yeah.
09:48You know, full name whiskeys.
09:50Can I ask you a question?
09:51Four roses.
09:52All right.
09:54Jim B.
09:55Yeah.
09:56I have a question for you, Zabe.
09:57The last time I was hanging out with Fred in a non-work capacity, I ordered a martini.
10:02I think it's completely acceptable for men to order a martini.
10:06Not growing me.
10:06Fred does not.
10:07Where do you land on martinis?
10:09I know guys who are big martini guys.
10:11I'm not.
10:11Yeah.
10:12Because the shape of the glass triggers me because it's always on the verge of spilling.
10:17And I'm just like, man, that's making me nervous, you know?
10:20Like one little twitch in your head.
10:21One little twitch.
10:22And it's all over your head.
10:24Yeah, I don't need that.
10:25This is the same guy, JP.
10:26This also happened.
10:27That shared a steak.
10:28I like sharing steaks with other men.
10:30Steaks are too big, dude.
10:32Yo, Glenn from DC Prime is here.
10:34Glenn, can I please just have an eight-ounce ribeye?
10:36No.
10:36Like, I don't need a 24-ounce tomahawk.
10:39No.
10:39I need 10 ounces tocks.
10:41At no point do you say, hey, dude, do you want to share a steak with me?
10:45Hold on.
10:46Did they feed each other their bites?
10:48No.
10:48With their force crisscross?
10:50It's a high-end restaurant.
10:51They cut it up for you.
10:52That would be out of control.
10:54No, no, no.
10:55JP literally, he went to the side and said, hey, butte.
11:00It's a high-end restaurant.
11:01They slice it up for you.
11:03No.
11:04Yes.
11:04He sliced the steak, and he shared it with another man.
11:08With a martini.
11:09Yes.
11:09And me and B. Mitch was just tabernastic.
11:12Didn't James Bond drink martinis?
11:13Yeah.
11:14He did.
11:14So, you know, come on.
11:15You can't say that James Bond's drink is not acceptable for men.
11:18But his was shaking, not stirred.
11:20Okay.
11:21Fine.
11:21Fine.
11:21Fine.
11:21That's all I'm saying.
11:23JP has been brought up on many charges.
11:26This is nothing new.
11:27This is nothing new with JP.
11:28Hey, I have to ask you, Fred.
11:29Did you hear about the big Mississippi news story this week?
11:32What's going on in the SILP?
11:34So here's what happened.
11:35In the U.K., they polled Britons where they thought Britain's standard of living would be compared to the 50
11:43U.S. states.
11:44Yeah.
11:44And the poll said that Britons thought they were about seventh, the seventh richest of all the American states.
11:52All right.
11:52The real number is 51st.
11:55And they're behind Mississippi.
11:57Proud Mississippi, who's 50th.
11:59And your governor tweeted at the whole U.K. saying, as we say down here, bless your heart.
12:07Hey, I knew we were going to have the last word.
12:10I knew.
12:10That's Mississippi.
12:11We were going to have the last word.
12:13Yes.
12:13Take that, Brit.
12:14Take that.
12:16Fred, thank you very much.
12:17Anytime for y'all.
12:18Hey, happy birthday, man.
12:19Hey, man, appreciate that.
12:20If you see Fred Smoot today, wish him a happy birthday.
12:23Fred Smoot on his birthday at a charity golf outing.
12:26Blue skies is going to be a day right there.
12:28Look out, man.
12:30For sure.
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