FWIW
It seems to me that the NHL IS Canada, or at least they want it to be ALL ABOUT Canada.
Over the years they reluctantly give credit to certain players from the US and Europe for their skill from time to time.
They loved Ovechkin initially and then proceeded to trash him as he continued to rack up goals. They, the Canadian NHL media, expected him to drop off like so many had before. The NHL media picked apart his game, his play, his perceived selfishness all while Ovechkin kept breaking records.
When Ovie entered the league as the number 1 draft pick he was asked about what he thought his role would be with the Washington Capitals. He replied simply “I’m a Forward, I score goals”
Good post. I may not be posting a lot on the web for some time but I do read the comments.