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Washington Capitals: T.J. Oshie finds his dish

By Ron Juckett

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals and his father, Tim, hold the Stanley Cup after the Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals won the series four games to one. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals and his father, Tim, hold the Stanley Cup after the Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals won the series four games to one. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie waited half his life to win the Stanley Cup. You cannot blame him for catching up on a missed breakfast.

It is not every day a Washington Capitals player eats cereal out of the Stanley Cup.

Of all the things consumed over the years from the most famous trophy in North American sports, T.J. Oshie’s Cap’n Crunch ranks up there high on the off-beat list. The silver must have made the milk taste funny. Oh well, there are downsides to everything.

For Washington, Oshie is anything but a downside. A gritty player whose Olympic prowess made him a household name in the United States, he played a huge part in winning that unique cereal bowl.

Oshie came to DC via a summer trade in 2015. After seven solid years with the St. Louis Blues, they shipped him to Washington for a package including fellow teammate Pheonix Copley.

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With the Caps, he has played an effective role of two-way forward. Oshie can score when needed. His passing is crisp. He led the NHL in shooting percentage two years ago. Need a hit from a forward? He delivers.

Whether even-strength, on the power play or shorthanded, Oshie fills each role well. He may not get the credit, but he reaps the rewards.

There is a downside as with any story. His goal production cratered last season, dropping from 33 to 18. Oshie’s lowest total playing 70-plus games since 2009-10.

At 31, Oshie is under contract for seven more years at $5,750,000 a year. He is the role model for Washington’s player stability. He is not going anywhere. But, he is under the same contract until he turns 39.

Our sister site, Puck Prose, says it is the worst contract on the team. Not because it is bad now but, at 39, it has a white elephant written all over it.

Still, a long time before you get there and, if another general manager wants to buy him out, the Caps will smile and hand him over. Brooks Orpik agrees.

As with others, Oshie shined during the Cup run. His six power-play goals were the best in the playoffs overall. He dished 13 assists and earned his sweet treat pouring in 21 points. Those 53 hits and 20 minutes a night did not hurt matters either.

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For his friends and family in Minnesota, T.J. Oshie’s day with the Cup meant everything. All those years of early wake-up calls and pre-dawn practices worked. Just another great story for the Washington Capitals.

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