Ovechkin farewell tour hitting Nashville brings back memories for Trotz

Trotz Remembers Ovechkin’s Arrival in Nashville Ahead of Farewell Tour Stop

As Alex Ovechkin’s farewell tour hits Nashville, former coach Barry Trotz is looking back at the imposing physical presence and relentless scoring ability that once left the Predators searching for answers.

In 31 career games against the Predators, Ovechkin has racked up 32 points, including 20 goals and 12 assists. While much has always been made of his signature one-timer from the left circle, Trotz recalled that his sheer physical dimensions left an equally striking first impression.

“I just remember everybody talked about him shooting the puck from his spot (in the left circle). That was the number one,” Trotz said, as reported by NHL.com. “But when he first played in Nashville, the thing that stood out as much as the skill was how frigging big he was (6-foot-3, 238 pounds) and how physical he was. And we had no answer for him from that spot.”

Building a Championship Foundation in Washington

That dynamic changed in 2014 when Trotz took over behind the bench for the Washington Capitals. Getting a daily look at the superstar changed his perspective entirely. During Trotz’s four seasons leading Washington, the team went 205-89-34, capturing the Presidents’ Trophy twice in 2015-16 and 2016-17 while claiming three consecutive Metropolitan Division titles. Over that same span, Ovechkin led the league with 185 goals.

Ovechkin farewell tour hitting Nashville brings back memories for Trotz | NHL.com

Yet regular-season dominance repeatedly ran into postseason walls. The Capitals fell in the second round in each of Trotz’s first three years, frequently thwarted by rival Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both coach and captain found themselves shouldering the heavy narrative that neither could win a Stanley Cup.

The turning point arrived during the 2018 postseason after Washington dropped the opening two games of the Eastern Conference First Round in overtime to the Columbus Blue Jackets. A private, heart-to-heart conversation between Trotz and Ovechkin shifted the trajectory of both men’s careers. Trotz urged his captain to stop letting the pursuit of a single trophy define his legacy, reminding him of the countless young hockey players imitating his style with tinted visors and tucked-in jerseys.

Then came the ask for sacrifice. Trotz challenged Ovechkin to elevate his game by taking on dirty work like blocking shots. Ovechkin answered the call, and the Capitals rallied to defeat Columbus, finally conquered Pittsburgh in the second round, edged the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games, and ultimately dispatched the Vegas Golden Knights in five games to capture the franchise’s first championship.

Life Beyond the Ice

Now, as Ovechkin’s career winds down, Trotz remembers a megastar who remained remarkably grounded. Reflecting on his former player’s personality, the former coach admitted he wouldn’t mind having him close by.

“I always say ‘Ovi’ was a good teammate,” Trotz said via NHL.com. “He’s pretty grounded for a megastar, and I think what stood out is he’s extremely likable. With ‘Ovi’ retiring, I said to someone, ‘If he retires, I’d love for him to be my neighbor because he would be a fun guy to be around.’ He just is. He makes the game fun and he has personality.”