OT: Sidney Crosby set to return tomorrow
I know most on this board probably don't like him, but the NHL benefits from having him back in the league. Hope he's healthy and doesn't suffer from this any further.
November 20th, 2011 at 3:58 PM ^
I'm so glad I bought tickets to tomorrow's game from my buddy. Either I make a big profit (I'm a Wings fan, so his return doesn't really matter much to me outside of fantasy hockey) or I get to go to a game with a killer atmosphere.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:01 PM ^
Commence diving and whining. Great player but a gutless cunt, IMO.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:03 PM ^
Commence the penalties to anybody who lays a finger on him
November 20th, 2011 at 4:05 PM ^
I give him a maximum of 5 games before he's back out. Every team will be looking to hit him (cleanly) as many times as possible per game.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:09 PM ^
Obviously he and the Penguins know this. I'd imagine he's been symptom free and taking hits in practice for some time now
November 20th, 2011 at 6:01 PM ^
Taking it doggy style dont count..
November 20th, 2011 at 4:04 PM ^
Most of this board doesn't like him because he is about twice the player than anyone on the Redwings...Go Penguins!!
......and just because you disagree with this statement, it doesn't mean I'm trolling or flamebaiting. Sid The Kid is awesome.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:07 PM ^
If you think Crosby is TWICE the player of Pavel Datsyuk or Nicklas Lidstrom, then you are sadly mistaken.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:12 PM ^
As far as I'm concerned, if asked which NHL player I would choose to start a franchise with the order would be:
1. Crosby
2. St. Louis
18. Lidstron
22. Datsyuk
Lidstrom and Datsyuk are good, they're just 2 levels, at least, below Sid.......
November 20th, 2011 at 4:17 PM ^
You are obviously high on something if you put St. Louis #2 on the list of people to start a franchise with. He's 36 and not even the best player on his team (Stamkos). I'd take Datsyuk over St. Louis because he's a better player in all phases of the game.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:19 PM ^
Yeah, ever heard of Alex Ovechkin? St. Louis was excellent in about 2004...
November 20th, 2011 at 5:24 PM ^
St. Louis has also been excellent the last two years and was phenomenal in the playoffs last year. And he's off to a great start this year as well.
November 20th, 2011 at 7:21 PM ^
St Louis is still a gamer for sure. However, there is no debate that for the first half of last year, Stamkos was the only player on Crosby's level (though I dislike his brand of hockey, can't deny his skill). The fact that the OP can't recognize this...
November 20th, 2011 at 8:15 PM ^
St. Louis is great, but at the age of 36 would he be the one you want to start a franchise with? Other younger players might be a higher pick. I always thought that the question of starting a franchise is skewed towards younger players. Maybe a better question is who would you want on your team for this season or for one game.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^
Hahaha you should be the GM for the Leafs.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^
This is insane. Do you even watch hockey?
November 20th, 2011 at 7:08 PM ^
Don't you have to actually play to be on a players ranking list?
November 20th, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^
Do you actually have a 1-22 order of players you want to start a franchise with? Otherwise it seems you just randomly placed Datsyuk and Lidstrom in at 18 and 22. Also, I know you lack a credible argument for Crosby because if you knew hockey that well you would realize that any team would rather start a franchise with Datsyuk then Lidstrom as Lidstrom has been considering retirement for the last two years. Any team would take 5-7 more years of Datsyuk over another 1-maybe 2 years of Lidstrom.
Additionally, Sid the Whiny Bitch is a talented hockey player but a classless one who really isn't as good as you seem to think he is. He doesn't measure up to any Red Wing player because no Red Wing would skate away from Mike Babcock after winning the Cup when Babcock is trying to tell him how good of a player he is. Nor does a hockey player of substance leave Nick Lidstrom standing at center ice without shaking hands between captains. Now to actually how good of a player he is. He is great, one of the best in the league, so it is good he can make it back and not have his career ruined by injuries. Yet, I don't think he is that great: if you look at the top point getters for each season since Crosby has entered the league you will notice that Sid the Bitch's stats are more impressive than most yet his +/- is significantly lower than many at the top, particularly the other forwards. This leads me to believe he either gains a significant amount of his points on the tacky bullshit penalities are called in his favor or he isn't very good at defense. Both of those tend to devalue him as the elite player you seem to think he is. I am not going to argue that Zetterberg or Datsyuk are better hockey talents than he is (I think so) because we are biased, I really don't have enough information, and it really doesn't matter to me. I will always know the Red Wings are a classier organization than Pittsburgh and our excellence (at least as of the last decade) hasn't been based on getting top 5 picks every year in the draft to build a team.
November 20th, 2011 at 5:03 PM ^
Crosby missed half of last year and still finished with more points than Datsyuk or Lindstrom.
November 20th, 2011 at 5:27 PM ^
Datsyuk also missed over a third of the season, and part of his value is he's the best defensive forward in the league and doesn't take penalties.
Lidstrom is a defenseman. It isn't his job to score points. The fact your argument is based around "this forward scores more points than this defenseman" only heightens my suspicion you don't actually watch hockey with any regularity. Lidstrom is generally regarded as the second greatest player ever at his position. No one would say the same about Crosby.
November 20th, 2011 at 5:51 PM ^
Pavel also isnt counted on to carry the team. When puss boy plays everyone stares at him like hes the second comming of jesus. I'd rather have Malkin over him any day atleast he plays hard and is hard on other players.
November 20th, 2011 at 8:51 PM ^
As JClay mentioned, comparing him to Lidstrom is pointless and a signifcant part of Datsyuk's value is that he plays defense. If you look at Crosby's career, he is almost always in the top 10 in points but he has one of the worst +/-s in the top 10. Most of the other forwards have better +/-s. He would appear (on the surface) to lack defensive ability or to score most of his goals on the PP, which he usually draws with some half ass call.
Side note, hasn't officiating been getting terrible these days in the NHL?
November 20th, 2011 at 4:16 PM ^
He's certainly twice the douche that the average NHL player is. He can't even find it in him to shake hands after hard-fought games. He also wants to be held every time someone even speaks bad of him. He makes Pittsburgh the MSU of the NHL, in my opinion.
Skilled player, yes. Well-mannered? Apparently not.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:19 PM ^
I would assume if he was playing for the team you root for, that opinion would be different....Does the fact that he's Canadian factor into the hatred people have for him?
Sid is 2 levels above every NHL player when healthy.
Neg away because you disagree.......
November 20th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^
Datsyuk and Zetters disagree with your assertion that Cindy is two skill levels above every NHL player. I would take the Sedin twins anyday over Crosby.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:57 PM ^
The Sedin twins that choke every year in the playoffs? I'll take the guy with a Stanley Cup and a Gold Medal, thanks.
November 20th, 2011 at 5:29 PM ^
Lidstrom has a Stanley Cup and a gold medal. So does Zetterberg. They both have Conn Smythes for playoff MVP, too.
November 20th, 2011 at 8:57 PM ^
Also, he is on team Canada, the most loaded team out there, with the random exception of Sweden or Russia occasionally. If Canada doesn't win a gold medal, it tends to be a dissapointment. Also, Luongo is the bigger factor when it comes to Vancouver choking every year in the playoffs then the Sedin brothers. They are quite good.
To the guy who keeps complaining about getting negged for stating his opinion about Sid the Bitch. You probably would not get negged if you provided some support other than "if you disagree with my opinion that doesn't mean you are right and neg away." That doesn't make your point any more true, it just establishes you are stating an opinion without any evidence. You aren't necessarily being negged for it (possibly are I don't really know) but because you are stating it in such a blunt and crass manner seeming to invite criticism.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:35 PM ^
Yes the fact that he's Canadian factors into the hatred, because it's this fact that contributes to the Bettman/League attitude that he's untouchable and god's gift to hockey. Crosby isn't a hockey player, he's a goal scorer who let's others fight his fights. I have zero respect for stars who don't take care of any of their own business and constantly whine. To show you I'm being objective, as a Red Wings fan I apply this same caveat to Yzerman. Players like Ovechkin and even Datsyuk happily throw their weight around, and not only when they have open easy shots to take.
Anyone who believes Crosby is 2 levels above every other NHL player hasn't watched enough hockey. Ovechkin and Stamkos are equals. Datysuk is only slightly behind because of his size. Both Toews and Kane have an argument to make. If Crosby is that much better, how come he only has 1 Hart trophy?
Bettman made a mistake and thought that he needed to follow the NBA model of hyping a select few superstars. This, among many of his stupid, short sighted decisions, is the reason the NHL is where it is today.
November 20th, 2011 at 5:23 PM ^
1. Granted I am a Canadian, but why hate us? That is like Canadians who hate on the USA constantly, it is silly.
2. I don't know how one could call themselves a Wing fan and have anything but love for Stevie Y.
November 20th, 2011 at 5:48 PM ^
Because canadians are the bigest two faced hockey payers ever they make fun of euro's for diving and hooking when they do it more than anyone else. Their dirty and when someone is dirty back to them they get all pissy and cry like they world ended. They remind me of soccer players actually. Like Burrows oh bite me please.. It is generally the french canadians. It's like they hate the fact that they arent the best at hockey anymore and cant handle with being second best (sometimes) at the only sport they have.
November 20th, 2011 at 5:57 PM ^
Yes, the evidence clearly shows that Canadian NHL players are pussies. Guys like Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, Kris Draper, Brendan Shanahan. What a bunch of softies!
And take a second to write decent grammar, unless you're 12, in which case good luck passing grade 7.
Hate on Crosby, don't hate on Canada.
November 20th, 2011 at 6:11 PM ^
I didn't say the word pussies I said,"they cry like the world has ended" This is more towards the latest genneration of Canadian hockey players and the even more at the French Canadians. But guys like Getzlaf, Perry, Pronger, Niedermayer, are dirty and theres a bunch more who complain when they get hit or when someone slew foots them or hacks their knees. All while they do it. Majority lack class. Who are the biggest troubble makers in the NHL Canadians...... Plus to add in Canadians are bigger homers than state fans are its sicking.
November 20th, 2011 at 7:04 PM ^
You realize the NHL is over half Canadians? Sure there might be some examples of star players that whine and cry but for each one of them there are many 3rd-4th line role players that arent afraid to throw their weight around.
November 20th, 2011 at 10:29 PM ^
November 20th, 2011 at 5:51 PM ^
I never said anything about hating Canadians...just that part of the reason Crosby gets overpromoted is that he's Canadian.
I explained why I have a caveat about loving Yzerman, I like my stars to fight their own battles. Also, I remember when he was a primadonna who refused to play defense until Bowman set him straight. I am about as big of a Wings fan as they come (the only days I was allowed to miss school when I was a kid were to go to Wings Cup parades) and it's just that I don't have to blindly love a captain of my favorite team. Nothing wrong with rationality.
November 20th, 2011 at 7:37 PM ^
The guy did more for the franchise than anyone in the past 30 years, if not longer.
November 20th, 2011 at 8:58 PM ^
Funny, I never thought Yzerman had a prima donna attitude - he struck me as very humble. As far as "refusing to play defense," that wasn't his role at the time. Do you remember the Dead Wings? When he joined the team, he became the leading scorer on a bad team.
Eventually, as the Wings added more pieces, they enjoyed some playoff success, but they needed Bowman to take them to the top. It wasn't just Yzerman that needed to play more defense. The Captain, to his credit, bought into the new coach's system, led by example, and sacrificed offense to become a two-way player.
November 20th, 2011 at 7:01 PM ^
Lmao Did you just say a guy who won a Lady Byng award throws his body around?
November 20th, 2011 at 8:39 PM ^
I don't see where you're going with this statement. Just because someone won the Lady Byng means that they can't play hockey and hit? If I recall correctly, Datsyuk knocked Chara on his ass last year.
I'm not saying Datsyuk is going out there to lay a hit on everyone he comes across, but he certainly doesn't shy away from contact.
November 20th, 2011 at 9:14 PM ^
I think you underestimate Datsyuk. He actually lays some of the bigger hits on the team because he times them so well and has great balance. He actually has announced his displeasure with winning the Lady Byng and hasn't won it the last two years. Here are some videos of Datsyuk fighting/hitting hard (don't know how to embed):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nPMJAs6Xpw
In this one he fights NeedleDick (not very successfully but Needledick doesn't even take his helmet off so...) at the end of the game if you wait for it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8K3l3wfeaQ&feature=fvsr
Here he even expresses his displeasure at winning the Lady Byng:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce_IHnZblvY
Here he drops Bieska:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0EZ1uXfyjY
Here he is dropping one guy and then hits Malkin (highstick came before the hit):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CB_qC9C2nE
Here he hits Penner:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4OGnHwGkaI
All of these hits are on guys substantially bigger than him. I have eaten at restaurant where he was next to my table and he is a very small (and weirdly proportioned) man.
November 20th, 2011 at 5:26 PM ^
A handshake is a two way street. It's not like Lidstrom shook his hand and Crosby didn't shake back.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^
I don't like him because he whines about every call and he dives to get them.
I'd also take Datsyuk or Zetterberg over Crosby. You know, the guys that completely shut him and Malkin down in the SCF in '08.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:58 PM ^
How'd the following year go again?
November 20th, 2011 at 5:28 PM ^
Crosby got a ring, but the Wings shut him down in both series. He had 3 points and was -3 in the 2009 finals. He didn't beat Detroit, Malkin and Fleury did.
November 20th, 2011 at 5:52 PM ^
The statement was "shut him and Malkin down".
November 20th, 2011 at 5:56 PM ^
in 2008.... try reading complete sentences... i know its tough for you....
November 20th, 2011 at 8:16 PM ^
And then I said how'd 2009 go, and the reply was "well Crosby got shut down" OK, what about Malkin? I know it must be tough for you, but I am sure you can comprehend simple debating here.
November 20th, 2011 at 9:42 PM ^
He never responded never brought up 2009 you talked about 2009 not him. Learning to debate about the topic being debated is also helpful considering this is about cry baby and not malkin.