Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery shocks with decision on Alex Ovechkin: his days at LW may be over

Thursday was the first day of Training Camp, and in a surprise to many, Alex Ovechkin, arguably one of hockey's all-time best left wings, took several shifts on the right wing.

Even his frequent linemate from last season, Dylan Strome, didn't catch the switch. Asked about it afterward, Strome looked confused saying he thought Ovechkin was always to his left, with Andrew Mangiapane on the right.

Head coach Spencer Carbery explained more afterward, "He played both sides tonight." According to Carbery, spending more time on the right-hand side was something the team knew might happen this season.

This isn't uncharted waters for Ovechkin either. Back in 2012-2014, former Capitals head coach Adam Oates bumped Ovechkin to the right despite the left-handed shooting. Oates believed in playing wingers on their natural shooting side. Even though Ovechkin was uncomfortable, he still amassed pretty good individual statistics en route to two Rocket Richard Trophies and the 2013 Hart Trophy as MVP, but the Capitals struggled as a whole, and a lot of Ovechkin's scoring came via his power-play spot rather than at even-strength.

After Oates was fired in 2014, new head coach Barry Trotz moved Ovechkin to his natural left-wing position, where he has remained to this day.
 
So, curiously, young left winger Ivan Miroshnichenko, who also shoots right-handed, lined up on the right during Thursday's practice. He centered one of camp's early line combinations, between Sonny Milano and Mike Sgarbossa.