NEW YORK -- It's been nearly a decade and a half since Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin were taken, one after the other, in maybe the most tantalizing top two in NHL Draft history.
But what I'll never forget was the day before.
The date was June 25, 2004, and I'd gotten a call at my hotel in Raleigh, N.C., shortly before sunrise. It was my wife Dali informing me in a characteristically casual tone that she was about to give birth to my son. This was a month early but, as we'd eventually learn, my son does things on his own terms. She assured me all was well, that my dad had everything in hand, that there was no need to rush home.
Fairly certain that I'd dreamed this entire conversation, I hung up the phone and somehow fell right back asleep.
At 8 a.m., another ring.
Her again: "Congratulations. You have a son."
Me: "What, did you use the drive-thru?"
I share this here mostly because, again, the day really resonated. For hockey reasons, too.
On her orders, I did stay to cover the actual draft. And as odd as it was to share my delight with a bunch of fellow hockey writers rather than family and friends, the draft did eventually get compelling enough that it captured my attention. Particularly when Ovechkin and Malkin were brought into the same room at the same time to meet with the media, along with a handful of other prospects, and all of us basically took turns going back and forth between their respective corners to interview both.
These kids couldn't have been more different, though that won't surprise anyone.
Ovechkin was the entertainer. He grinned through that gap-toothed smile, laughed at his own jokes and tried to make us laugh, too, even though most of us couldn't make out one syllable. He barely knew English at the time, but that didn't stop him. He was a raging bull, just as on the ice, and he wasn't about to be denied.
Malkin was ... well, not an entertainer. He kept a Russian interpreter by his side, answering questions guardedly, in large part because there were issues at the time about when he'd come to North America. (He stayed in his native country another year, as it turned out.) He also didn't welcome the comparisons between himself and Ovechkin, though that's pretty much all we wanted to discuss. He'd smile occasionally, but not much. He looked like he just wanted to go play hockey.
So here we are now: Ovechkin just scored his 600th goal, becoming the fourth-fastest in NHL history by doing so in 990 games, and that's a spectacular feat considering the only three ahead of him -- Wayne Gretzky (718 games), Mario Lemieux (719) and Brett Hull (900) -- weren't forced to play as much in Gary Bettman's defensive era. On top of that, Ovechkin's leading the league again with 42 goals in an MVP-type season for the not-dead-yet Capitals.
No. 8 is, beyond any doubt, this generation's greatest goal-scorer.
And going head to head with Malkin, Ovechkin leads, 600-367 in goals and 1,109-919 in points. He wins there, too.
But I've been thinking about this a lot over the past couple days, mostly because a reader asked in my Live Qs at 5 a couple days ago which player I'd select, if I were Craig Patrick, if I could transport back in time and do it over again: I answered Malkin, and I did so without hesitation.
One simple reason: Malkin's been a big part of three Cups here. That's not to say Ovechkin wouldn't have won in Pittsburgh if he'd been paired with Sidney Crosby. (Imagine that.) But it is to say the three Cups actually did happen and, as football coaches like to say, you don't take points off the board. Plus, there's no way of knowing how Ovechkin's oversized personality would have meshed over so long a period with the subtle, business-like Crosby.
This much we know. And it's fine. Pittsburgh got what it wanted, and Washington got everything it wanted.
Well, except that one thing.
• By the way, Patrick swears to this day he'd have drafted Malkin first if that had been the order. Not sure I believe him, but hey.
• This is one of many reasons why I don't blame the Rangers' management for publicly tanking on this season. People here long ago got sick of seeing stars of this pedigree wind up everywhere else. They're used to being able to buy anyone they want, and the salary cap won't allow it. That's how it comes about that, one week ago today, Patrik Laine scored all three goals of a game at the Garden. Playing for a franchise based in the NHL's smallest market.
What a marquee that makes: Winnipeg 3, New York 0
• Sorry, Phil Kessel, but you’re still my team MVP. I’m open to changing if this Malkin rampage keeps up, but no one’s been more consistent over the season and more pivotal to the NHL’s best power play. Those count a lot.
• No way should Matt Murray or Bryan Rust play here or tomorrow in Montreal. Not to play doctor, particularly with a diagnosis as unpredictable as a concussion, but after these two games, the Penguins have four days off, the longest break they'll get before the playoffs. That offers an ideal window for maximum recovery. Besides, neither player should be needed to beat these Rangers or these Canadiens.
• Yes, please, to Lawrence Timmons coming home.
Sure, he’ll be 32, and the Dolphins released him Tuesday. But that same team thought enough of LT to start him in 14 games, in which he registered 84 tackles, 58 solos, while defending three passes. That’s not his prime form, but it isn’t exactly awful.
I’m not suggesting he start here. But he knows the system, he’s universally beloved and respected from within, and he’d be infinitely better at stuffing the run than Tyler Matakevich. He’d make for an exceptional depth piece.
What exactly would be the harm?
• Never question the man's desire. If anyone does, behold his reaction to the Dolphins scoring a touchdown against his defense:
Dude did this all the time, even while running.
• I can’t speak highly enough about the passion and professionalism of both William Gay and Mike Mitchell. I know the latter wore out his welcome with most, but I’m speaking only for myself, as always.
That said, this secondary is already stronger through their combined subtraction. Neither could keep up, plain and simple. And there’s nowhere on that field to hide from that particular shortcoming.
I firmly believe we’ll see marked upgrades from both Sean Davis and Artie Burns by having a stronger supporting cast. They’ll both be more aggressive.
• No one associated with the Pirates is poised for a bigger breakout than Josh Bell. His power comes naturally enough that he was scraping light towers at his Texas high school. His swing is tight and mechanical enough that he doesn’t need to get all loopy to hit them and, thus, can still improve upon his .334 rookie OBP. And best of all, he’s about as bright a young man as I’ve encountered.
Really, ask the kid a routine question, as his response comes back like an abridged thesis.
• No personality in that clubhouse loomed larger during my visit to Bradenton last week than that of David Freese. It isn’t easy being team leader from the bench, but that might well be the origin, at least at season’s outset.
• It can’t be overstated how much the Pitt football program will have benefited from Kenny Pickett getting into those final two games last season, in which he put up 435 combined passing yards against No. 25 Virginia Tech and, of course, in the upset of No. 2 Miami. He now gets to walk into spring practices — OK, strut — as the main man and prepare accordingly.
Pat Narduzzi wasn't left any serious choice when he made the switch from Ben DiNucci, but still, it’s something more college coaches should consider when a season’s going south. Redshirts aren’t nearly as precious as so many seem to think.
• A hearty congratulations here to Jamie Dixon on getting TCU into the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 20 years -- which had been the longest drought in any of the Power 5 conferences -- and this in just his second year on the job. The Horned Frogs will be a No. 6 seed with a 21-11 overall record. And if they win their first game Friday, it'll mark their first Tournament victory since 1987, when Dixon was their point guard.
Imagine what Pitt wouldn’t give for a guy with that resume right now.
• If you’ll excuse me now, I’ve got to get back to trying to keep up with Malkin.
