Post by Zoom Waffles on Nov 10, 2008 16:26:13 GMT -5
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How good is Sidney Crosby?
Since last month’s interview with Alexander Semin, in which the 24-year old Washington Capitals center slammed Sidney Crosby, “the Next One” has been under fire for not living up to his hype. Off to a slow start with “just” 16 points in his first 14 games in the 08-09 campaign, the worldwide hockey community is starting to wonder. Maybe, as Semin said, there isn’t “anything special there.”
Sidney Crosby was the most hyped player in an NHL entry draft since Eric Lindros in 1991 – the first “Next One.” So much so, that the 2005 draft was dubbed ‘The Crosby Sweepstakes’. The timing couldn’t have been better for the NHL. Having just recovered from its second major lockout in a decade, the league was desperate for change (and ratings). Crosby had had a remarkable junior career, with 303 points in 121 games in the QMJHL, just slightly less impressive than Wayne Gretzky’s 2.84 points per game in the 1977-78 OHA season. His acceleration and creativity on the puck were exactly what the NHL needed to spark a rebirth of professional hockey in the United States. The league’s biggest stars at the time were foreigners – Kovalchuk, Hossa, Elias, Alfredsson, Naslund – no one to represent the league in North America. Without a doubt, Sidney Crosby needed to be recognized as the savior of the NHL.
But being the NHL’s poster boy isn’t as easy as it sounds. Drafted to a terrible Pittsburgh team, Crosby had little to work with as a rookie. Malkin hadn’t yet arrived, Mario Lemieux and Ziggy Palffy retired, and Sergei Gonchar struggled to find his scoring touch as a Penguin. In fact, Gonchar ended up as the team’s second leading scorer with a measly 58 points. Crosby finished with 102 points, leading the team in goals (39), assists (63) and finishing 3rd in PIM (110). He had lived up to the hype. He was an Alternate Captain by December, he set franchise rookie records for assists and points (beating Mario Lemieux’s numbers), he became the youngest player in NHL history to score 100 points, and was an immediate All-Star (in his second season – there was no All-Star game in ’05-’06 because of the Olympics).
The next year, his work continued. Scoring 120 points, Crosby was the youngest player to reach the 200 point milestone, was named captain of the Penguins, and was representing Reebok, Gatorade, Upper Deck, Telus, and of course, the NHL itself. Comparisons were drawn between Crosby and Gretzky, between the Penguins and the 1980s Oilers. Crosby had literally become “The Next One.”
In his third season, the phenom kept it up. Under all of the pressure from the NHL, Crosby managed 72 points in a season shortened by injury to just 53 games. The season was highlighted by a game-winning shootout goal at the NHL’s American coming out party, the Winter Classic. Despite the ankle injury, Crosby led the team to the Stanley Cup Finals, shining with 27 points in 20 playoff games. All was well with the world.
But the 2008-2009 season has brought on the Crosby haters. On a much slower rate of production than in his first three seasons, Crosby hasn’t been able to find the right line combination to make his magic happen. Crosby has already played with Dupuis, Talbot, Fedotenko, Satan, and Malkin as linemates, still looking for the right fit. He’s been outscored, and altogether shown up, by his teammate Malkin, and then slammed by the comments of Semin. What has happened to the NHL’s poster boy?
Crosby has had his fair share of haters since the beginning. He has been constantly accused of diving and embellishing penalties, and of being treated unfairly by the NHL and its officials. Sid drew an incredible number of penalties in his first three seasons, but has taken just 47 (plus one fighting major) over the last two years. Opposing fans despise him, and shout unthinkable insults while he plays. And, as Semin has proven, other players aren’t too crazy about him either. So the question is, is there really anything special about Sidney Crosby? Or could any average Joe Hockey Player have put up similar numbers with the whole NHL watching his back?
The simple fact is that Sidney Crosby has a hockey sense that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. His ability to put the puck on a teammate’s stick in unreal, and his knowledge of the mechanics of the sport put him a head above everyone else. He’s as strong on his feet as Donald Brashear, and as slick with the puck as Pavel Datsyuk. He was born to play hockey, and he is the “Next One”. Why then has he fallen off Gretzky’s pace?
First, linemates – Crosby has none. Mark Recchi was a good fit for a while, but Crosby soon outplayed him. Then it was Colby Armstrong. Then Ryan Malone. Notice something? These players are not nearly of the caliber they need to be to play with Crosby. Ovechkin has Semin, Datsyuk has Hossa, Lecavalier has St. Louis, and, most importantly, Gretzky had Kurri, or Messier, or Coffey. You cannot be a superstar without a star on your wing. Currently with a rotating cast of wingers, Crosby has struggled to produce numbers. Is that really a shock? We all know what happened when we gave him Hossa.
Whether Crosby puts up the numbers or not, whether he beats Gretzky’s records or just averages 100 points a season, he is the best hockey player I’ve ever seen. His on-ice presence stands out in every single game, and while he may benefit from special treatment from the NHL, he certainly doesn’t need it.
So haters, hold your tongue. The Kid has a long future ahead of him, and he will score more than 2000 points. I know it’s hard to watch him if he’s not on your team, but as a fan of the sport, it is your responsibility to respect him for what he is – the greatest to ever play the game.
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For the record, Semin has since gone back on his word, blaming a poor translation. Maybe the NHL threatened his family. Or maybe he’s just scared of losing the Art Ross.
How good is Sidney Crosby?
Since last month’s interview with Alexander Semin, in which the 24-year old Washington Capitals center slammed Sidney Crosby, “the Next One” has been under fire for not living up to his hype. Off to a slow start with “just” 16 points in his first 14 games in the 08-09 campaign, the worldwide hockey community is starting to wonder. Maybe, as Semin said, there isn’t “anything special there.”
Sidney Crosby was the most hyped player in an NHL entry draft since Eric Lindros in 1991 – the first “Next One.” So much so, that the 2005 draft was dubbed ‘The Crosby Sweepstakes’. The timing couldn’t have been better for the NHL. Having just recovered from its second major lockout in a decade, the league was desperate for change (and ratings). Crosby had had a remarkable junior career, with 303 points in 121 games in the QMJHL, just slightly less impressive than Wayne Gretzky’s 2.84 points per game in the 1977-78 OHA season. His acceleration and creativity on the puck were exactly what the NHL needed to spark a rebirth of professional hockey in the United States. The league’s biggest stars at the time were foreigners – Kovalchuk, Hossa, Elias, Alfredsson, Naslund – no one to represent the league in North America. Without a doubt, Sidney Crosby needed to be recognized as the savior of the NHL.
But being the NHL’s poster boy isn’t as easy as it sounds. Drafted to a terrible Pittsburgh team, Crosby had little to work with as a rookie. Malkin hadn’t yet arrived, Mario Lemieux and Ziggy Palffy retired, and Sergei Gonchar struggled to find his scoring touch as a Penguin. In fact, Gonchar ended up as the team’s second leading scorer with a measly 58 points. Crosby finished with 102 points, leading the team in goals (39), assists (63) and finishing 3rd in PIM (110). He had lived up to the hype. He was an Alternate Captain by December, he set franchise rookie records for assists and points (beating Mario Lemieux’s numbers), he became the youngest player in NHL history to score 100 points, and was an immediate All-Star (in his second season – there was no All-Star game in ’05-’06 because of the Olympics).
The next year, his work continued. Scoring 120 points, Crosby was the youngest player to reach the 200 point milestone, was named captain of the Penguins, and was representing Reebok, Gatorade, Upper Deck, Telus, and of course, the NHL itself. Comparisons were drawn between Crosby and Gretzky, between the Penguins and the 1980s Oilers. Crosby had literally become “The Next One.”
In his third season, the phenom kept it up. Under all of the pressure from the NHL, Crosby managed 72 points in a season shortened by injury to just 53 games. The season was highlighted by a game-winning shootout goal at the NHL’s American coming out party, the Winter Classic. Despite the ankle injury, Crosby led the team to the Stanley Cup Finals, shining with 27 points in 20 playoff games. All was well with the world.
But the 2008-2009 season has brought on the Crosby haters. On a much slower rate of production than in his first three seasons, Crosby hasn’t been able to find the right line combination to make his magic happen. Crosby has already played with Dupuis, Talbot, Fedotenko, Satan, and Malkin as linemates, still looking for the right fit. He’s been outscored, and altogether shown up, by his teammate Malkin, and then slammed by the comments of Semin. What has happened to the NHL’s poster boy?
Crosby has had his fair share of haters since the beginning. He has been constantly accused of diving and embellishing penalties, and of being treated unfairly by the NHL and its officials. Sid drew an incredible number of penalties in his first three seasons, but has taken just 47 (plus one fighting major) over the last two years. Opposing fans despise him, and shout unthinkable insults while he plays. And, as Semin has proven, other players aren’t too crazy about him either. So the question is, is there really anything special about Sidney Crosby? Or could any average Joe Hockey Player have put up similar numbers with the whole NHL watching his back?
The simple fact is that Sidney Crosby has a hockey sense that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. His ability to put the puck on a teammate’s stick in unreal, and his knowledge of the mechanics of the sport put him a head above everyone else. He’s as strong on his feet as Donald Brashear, and as slick with the puck as Pavel Datsyuk. He was born to play hockey, and he is the “Next One”. Why then has he fallen off Gretzky’s pace?
First, linemates – Crosby has none. Mark Recchi was a good fit for a while, but Crosby soon outplayed him. Then it was Colby Armstrong. Then Ryan Malone. Notice something? These players are not nearly of the caliber they need to be to play with Crosby. Ovechkin has Semin, Datsyuk has Hossa, Lecavalier has St. Louis, and, most importantly, Gretzky had Kurri, or Messier, or Coffey. You cannot be a superstar without a star on your wing. Currently with a rotating cast of wingers, Crosby has struggled to produce numbers. Is that really a shock? We all know what happened when we gave him Hossa.
Whether Crosby puts up the numbers or not, whether he beats Gretzky’s records or just averages 100 points a season, he is the best hockey player I’ve ever seen. His on-ice presence stands out in every single game, and while he may benefit from special treatment from the NHL, he certainly doesn’t need it.
So haters, hold your tongue. The Kid has a long future ahead of him, and he will score more than 2000 points. I know it’s hard to watch him if he’s not on your team, but as a fan of the sport, it is your responsibility to respect him for what he is – the greatest to ever play the game.
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For the record, Semin has since gone back on his word, blaming a poor translation. Maybe the NHL threatened his family. Or maybe he’s just scared of losing the Art Ross.