George McPhee: Ovechkin has lost some weight and is close to being a «50-goal guy» again

Washington Capitals GM George McPhee gave ESPN reporters his latest assessment of the Caps captain Alexander Ovechkin’s fitness.

«Ovechkin is close to being a 50-goal guy again. You know what, every athlete has a stretch in their career where the year isn’t as good as the other years. You can’t have a great year every year, and not many do. He was off a little bit last year. I like the way he’s going right now.»

«His commitment to the game, you have no questions about?»

«Um, well, it’s a lot better than it was. He’s in terrific shape right now. And guys do different things in the summer. Ovi’s usually gotten by by just being a great athlete. Show up and play. And we’ve talked to him, that doesn’t happen in this league. At some point it has to kick in, you have to train, and he’s at 224 right now. And he hasn’t been at 224 in a few years.»

«What is his weight history like?»

«I think the progression in his weights, he came in 218, 224, 232, 237, 242. He played at 242 once, and he got suspended for hitting a few people. And he was crushing guys, and he loved crushing guys, and we said you know what, Bruce always thought he was a better player at about 227. And you can see it when he’s moving out there, he’s flying.»