Puck Daddy chats with Alex Ovechkin about role in Boudreau firing, Dale Hunter’s system and rivalry with Sidney Crosby

The firing of Bruce Boudreau is still being talked about in Washington and beyond. Blame  for what happened, including the Washington Capitals' recent struggles, is being directed at one player — the team captain, Alex Ovechkin. Some people question his commitment to the team. Others question his leadership skills and whether he has the respect of his teammates. Ovechkin was even called a "coach killer" because of the recent dismissal of Boudreau. But all of the above allegations cannot be further from the truth, at least for the players in the Capitals' dressing room. It's not only in their "on the record" conversations that they throw their support behind their captain. A few players (no, not Semin or Orlov) have said privately that Ovechkin is sincerely respected by his teammates in the dressing room; that he is very much a team player and works hard for the team. As far as Ovechkin's recent struggles, I was told he is facing them without pani...