Puck Daddy - NHL

There was a lot of eye-candy on display last night at Teatro Goldoni, a rather elegant restaurant on K Street here in D.C.

The Hart Trophy. The Art Ross. The Pearson. The Richard Trophy. Something called a "Hart-tini." Alexander Ovechkin's Dolce and Gabbana belt buckle. And more than a few absolutely stunning women; to the point where a conversation between a few red-blooded American males is interrupted by a simultaneous "whoa" followed by a simultaneous "yeah" before finishing with a "what were we talking about again?"

One of those women at the party, thrown by the Washington Capitals with Capitol File magazine in Ovechkin's honor, was also on Ovie's arm at the NHL Awards on Thursday night: Elena Alyonka Larionov, the daughter of Russian hockey icon Igor Larionov. She's an aspiring singer who tried out for "American Idol" and earned a "golden ticket" at auditions in Omaha.

It was nice knowing you, Web 2.0 fairy tale romance.

Japers' Rink has a bunch more on Larionov, asking if Ovechkin is planning on a "wonder spawn." Like I said last night: If he and Elena Alyonka Larionov reproduce, the world will finally be blessed with an Ovechkin that can never be accused of not passing the puck enough.

The night was Ovechkin's, and he was reveling in it. Hell, the day was Ovechkin's too, starting with his receiving the key to the city from Mayor Adrian Fenty and telling the crowd, "I have a key for the city. And I'm the president this day in the city, so everybody have fun - and no speed limit."

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis gave a nice tribute to his star player at the party last night, reminding the crowd that Ovechkin remains dedicated to bringing the Stanley Cup to the District and about what he means to the city. "It's a long, long time since Washington D.C. had a most valuable player for a professional sports league. The last was Joe Theismann, I believe, in 1982," he said.

Before the party got really swinging, I had a few words with Ovechkin about the NHL Awards, the launch of his streetwear label and hockey in general.

He didn't watch but one game of the Stanley Cup finals, which is pretty much in keeping with every other player I've ever asked about watching the finals. In Ovechkin's case, seeing the Russians and Crosby play on the stage he hauled ass to try and reach probably wasn't high on his to-do list.

Remember that stunning brunette that modeled his streetwear? Yeah, he's got no clue who she is either, as she was hired for the event without any Ovie input. Not that he minded. "That was nice. She was hot," he said. Meanwhile, Japers and I debated whether Streetwear Babe was more Mini-Angelina or Mini-Megan Fox.

When told he finished ninth in voting for the Lady Byng, Ovechkin made it clear he doesn't fancy himself a "gentlemanly" player. I then told him that there was only one voter from the Professional Hockey Writers Association that didn't have him on their Hart Trophy ballot. I asked if he had any suspects. "Maybe Tarik?" he said, a joking reference to Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post.

(Tarik told me that that the Washington Post actually has a policy against their writers voting for awards that could, in theory, give athletes they cover bonuses. So cross him off the list.)

As for his amusing but self-conscious speech at the NHL Awards, Ovechkin said "it was my mistake to read it (off the paper). It's better if I just say it. All I have to do is say thanks." There you go: Next season, Ovie's free-stylin'.

I noted the Hart Trophy over in the corner and asked him if it was heavy. Ovechkin said it definitely was heavier than he'd thought it would be, and told me that I could hold it if I wanted to.

I declined, telling him that I was sure touching the trophy would jinx any chance of me winning the award in the coming years ...

It was a killer good time last night, so thanks to the Caps and Capitol File for that. Hart-tinis (MVP tastes like orange liqueur). Celebrity sightings, like former Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson; former Capitals like Rod Langway and Peter Bondra; the aforementioned bevy of rather amazing women in rather adventurous cocktail dresses.

And yours truly, Japers, Mike "Ordered Chaos" Rucki of On Frozen Blog, Tarik El-Bashir of The Washington Post, Corey Masisak from the Washington Times and Brian McNally of The Examiner finding a nice quiet corner to have a drink (or 10) and talk hockey. Even if many of our conversations were interrupted by a simultaneous "whoa" followed by a simultaneous "yeah" before finishing with a "what were we talking about again?"

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72 Comments

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  1. tootsie
    1. Posted by tootsie Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT

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    I'd have difficulty adjusting to a father-in-law named Igor.
    Maybe I've seen one too many horror flicks.
  2. M M
    2. Posted by M M Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    malkin is gonna be better than ovie
  3. James M
    3. Posted by James M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    M M-At what?
  4. puckmaster12
    4. Posted by puckmaster12 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:16 pm EDT

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    Malkin is a chocker!
  5. Me
    5. Posted by Me Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:40 pm EDT

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    MM--Is that short for 'Mike Malkin"?...cuz his reletives are the only people who think that...where was Shrek during the finals? Dreaming about where he'd rather be--playing for Russia in the Worlds...
  6. Meg
    6. Posted by Meg Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:07 pm EDT

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    alexander ovechkin is a sidney crosby wannabee. wait til next season when he's healthy, ovechkin won't even be able to touch him in points.
  7. .................................................!
    7. Posted by .................................................! Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    ok, who let meg back in the house?
  8. cheaterischeater
    8. Posted by cheaterischeater Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    Crosby got that far becuse vet players supporting. AO has emerging star supporting. next year when the playing field is even i see ovie vs malkin rather than ovie vs crosby.
  9. Bill C
    9. Posted by Bill C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    You all have it wrong Towes and Kane of the BLACK HAWKS are going to be even better the sid the kid , malkin and alexander the great just you wait hey that last part ryhmed
  10. THE RIDE
    10. Posted by THE RIDE Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:01 pm EDT

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    MEG ???? sidney "puntang" crosby does not play "real" physical hockey like ovie can and never will !!!!
  11. THE RIDE
    11. Posted by THE RIDE Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:01 pm EDT

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    BILL C ... TOWES ??? you my son are smoking crack
  12. Robert W
    12. Posted by Robert W Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:34 pm EDT

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    It doesn't matter who will be better next year as there are a lot of players with the ability given a good offensive team. This year OV was the better player and it would be nice to see OV get the chance to knock the pecker strings loose on the Kid or Malkin next year.
  13. ziggyny
    13. Posted by ziggyny Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:00 pm EDT

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    I'd be willing to bet that Zetterberg will be better than both Ovechkin and Crosby next year. Considering all aspects of the game he was this year...
  14. Dewman
    14. Posted by Dewman Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    Hey #4... What is a chocker? Someone who puts blocks in front of airplane tires??
    Well, I expected more from a Larionov. She could have anyone, and she chooses Mr. Caveman himself.
  15. bryan
    15. Posted by bryan Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    Here are some names for the future
    David Perron, Lars Eller, TJ Oshie, Ben Bishop, David Backes, Erik Johnson
    Let's Go Blues....
  16. giuseppe franco
    16. Posted by giuseppe franco Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:58 pm EDT

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    alex is better than crosby for sure i cant believe the pens couldnt score on 2 3 on fives i mean thats like an early christmas present, the reds were just that dominant well see how good the pens r next year ha ha ha haha ha ha ha ha ha ha
  17. blue crew
    17. Posted by blue crew Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    Toews and Kane....yeah baby!!!!
    and yes, alex ovie is quite the caveman.....meaning that Miss Larionov is quite the gold-digger.
  18. JBond007
    18. Posted by JBond007 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:24 pm EDT

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    PARISE!!! he clearly is winning it all for the Devils next year..sorry guys :P haha
  19. David
    19. Posted by David Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    ovechkin simply dominates every aspect of the game and plays with an exciting and loveable brand of hockey where you cant help but cheer for him. when the caps amde the playoffs everyone was rooting for their fav team first and for ovie and the caps second, i know i was.
  20. David
    20. Posted by David Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:19 pm EDT

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    crosby is dull and boring by the way and nbc/vs./nhl does a good job of getting on their knees for him
  21. anonyyyy
    21. Posted by anonyyyy Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    golddigger? im sure she has enough of her own money in her trust fund.
  22. Handsome Pete
    22. Posted by Handsome Pete Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:04 pm EDT

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    It's exciting to have an NHL full of stars again, even if a lot of them are Russian! Sorry but I gotta love the Canadian boy, Sid the Kid! I love OV as well, but Sid's the man. Next year will be fun to see who wins the Art Ross, the Hart, the Pearson, and the Cup! The NHL is BACK thanks to guys like Sid and Alex, not to mention Malkin, Zetts, Kane, and where's the love for Iginla and Lecavalier?
  23. blue crew
    23. Posted by blue crew Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    oviefan...you can never have enough money my friend.....money never satisfies....she is a g-digger
  24. im on the left
    24. Posted by im on the left Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    Datsyuk and Zetterburg skate circles around this clown and crosby .. hence Stanley Cup
  25. Jorel C
    25. Posted by Jorel C Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:41 pm EDT

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    Ovies the most fun player in the NHL to watch, and Pittsburg is my team. Who cares about fancy passes, you need to score. Malkin gets it done, so does Ovie. Crosby vs Ovechkin. I would take ovie because he actually can score goals unlike crosby.

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