Pens/Caps Winter Classic Presser Part I -- Ovechkin Is An EmbarrASSment

Not surprisingly, most people are talking about today's 2010 Winter Classic press conference, to be held at noon at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, as a kick-off to the league's showcase event this year on 1-1-11 between the Penguins and Washington Capitals.

Along with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Penguins' owner Mario Lemieux, Captain Sidney Crosby, Max Talbot and Pascal Dupuis, together with Steelers' owner Art Rooney II, all will be on hand to help sell the game of hockey as the Winter Classic logo, stadium mock-up, ticket details and other information will be revealed to the media and fans.

But what most people aren't talking about is who WON'T be at the Heinz junket to help in that effort.

That's right.

Washington winger and Captain Alexander Ovechkin.

Oh sure, the Caps are sending one of their Vice Presidents, and they are sending players Mike Knuble and David Steckel to the presser.

Whooooopee.

I'm sure the league's request for credentialing for this event is WAY up because everyone wants to hear what David Steckel has to say about it.

Not to be critical.

But let's be honest.  Ovechkin wears the "C" for the Caps.  He's their biggest star and among the most notable personalities in the league.  Some would say it's his responsibility to sell and promote the game. 

If the Winter Classic isn't a prime example of that, I don't know what is.

On top of that, Washington and Pittsburgh forge one of the best rivalries in the NHL right now, and both Crosby and Ovechkin are at the head of that rivarly.  Are you telling me that nobody wants to hear what Ovechkin has to say about facing Sid on the Winter Classic stage?

Of course, EVERYONE wants to hear about that today.  But will they?

Thanks to Ovechkin being a no-show, they won't.

And the truth is that the Caps' superstar has been a poor ambassador for the league most of this past year.  He blew off reporters consistently during the olympics during Russia's woefully underachieving performance, and generally did the same when the Capitals were upset by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs. 

Basically, he's just been one big A*S*S lately.

But this is a Penguins blog, so tomorrow, we'll focus on all the news from the classic presser from a Pittsburgh point-of-view. 

And, of course, the quotes from the hometown Captain who cared enough to participate.