Ovechkin pays it forward with Kuznetsov

The New York Times describes how Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin invited winger Evgeny Kuznetsov to stay with him initially when coming over from the KHL last month. Ovechkin assumed the role of mentor.

"I felt comfortable because of Ovie," Kuznetsov said. "He is a good friend.”

Ovechkin was doing for Kuznetsov what Dainius Zubrus did for him in 2005.

“He helped me out a lot, and I never forgot it,” Ovechkin said. “I am always going to help the guys if they need some help.”

NBC analyst Jeremy Roenick, who took Daniel Briere under his wing at one point, offered this of Ovechkin:

“To me it’s a great sign because a lot of people wonder whether Ovechkin is a good leader or not. Something like that is showing he is doing the right thing with the players inside the locker room.”

The article also looks at Ovechkin's goal scoring, defensive struggles, Olympics and his compliments concerning Jay Beagle's energy level and work ethic.

Source: Tom Worgo, New York Times