I really hope AO’s diving is a result of him being frustrated with the way the Flyers are shutting him down, and not a permanent black eye that is emerging from his otherwise admirable “gamesmanship” <– (is that a word??)

It’s my opinion that Ovechkin is a more exciting and complete player than Crosby. My opinion reflects my preferences–I’m the type of person who places a lot of merit with physical, hard-hitting play and attitude/leadership. It’s the kind of player I was when I played the game (a role-playing pest that got by on heart and determination more than ability). My favorite players in the NHL are the rare players that can light the lamp and send an opponent to the trainer for smelling salts in the same shift — Olli Jokinen, Mike Richards, Joe Thornton, etc.

Reaching for reasons of why I’m just flat-out not a fan of Crosby’s approach, I’d say the hoopla surrounding #87 and his burgeoning career is partly to blame (not really Crosby’s fault at all). I heard about how unbelievably great he was before he was in the league, 90% of the announcers fawn over his every play when you watch a game involving the Penguins, and the NHL has gone a little too far in their ad-nauseum marketing of him as the “face of the game”.

The other reason that I don’t enjoy watching Crosby that much is something that he can control. I CAN NOT stand a player that consistenty cries to officials, in any sport. Sid’s been getting a little better about this, but I’m far from the only one in the ranks of hockey fans who consider him to be a cry-baby. Every player gets a bad call and chats with the stripes now and then, and some (Sid) do it very frequently. Again, just my opinion.

Since I’ve written readers blind about why I think Ovechkin is so great and prefer him to Crosby, let me turn things around and sprinkle a little love on the “Kid”…

Sidney Crosby is an extremely creative playmaker with an unparalelled vision for the ice and play development. In my opinion, again, it’s this quality that draws the Gretzky comparisons more than “leadership” qualities. Outside of his talent and ability providing a ripple of confidence throughout the locker room, I don’t think Crosby is the leader he will be down the road quite yet. I also consider Mark Messier to have had more leadership qualities than a young Gretzky in the Edmonton dynasty. It’s Crosby’s vision, skill, and hockey intelligence that draw comparisons to the Great One; save the instant leadership raves for my very favorite current NHL player, Mike Richards of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Sidney Crosby perserveres through EXTREME pressure to perform as the superstar of the NHL. Just because I don’t really like the guy doesn’t mean that I don’t recognize the weight he carries on his shoulders. My favorite player as a kid (another great example of skill and toughness) was Eric Lindros, who had the same type of pressure. Crosby carries the weight of the hopes of Canada on his back. That’s a lot of pressure from a nation that identifies with ice hockey as much as the Maple Leaf on their national flag. Crosby’s production at his tender young age shows he’s up to the challenge, and I think he deserves some major credit for that.

So, hopefully I’ve reiterated my preference for Ovechkin while simultaneously showing that I’m not blind to the positives and accomplishments of Sidney Crosby. Preference… opinion… discussion and debate… that’s what being a sports fan is all about. It’s really a positive for ice hockey and all of us hockey fans that there are so many great young players providing topics for us to debate and discuss, both in internet sports blogs and over pints at the bar. This Crosby/Ovechkin debate should provide discussions with every passing NHL season for years to come, and the true winners of such debate are the National Hockey League and it’s tremendously passionate fan-base!

I’d like to expound on the INTANGIBLES that make me love Ovechkin so much more than Sid…

— AO hits people hard, and he hits people often. Ovechkin’s game has a physical and competitive edge, one that can be found at any time on any shift.
A lot of announcers make a big deal when Crosby throws a hard check on a prone skater with his head down every once in a while. Crosby picks a rare spot and hits, and afterwards, he’s quick to dive on retalliations for a call, or to hide behind his mates. Ovechkin hits everybody all the time, head down or up.

— Ovechkin plays like a warrior with a visible passion and competitive fire that is exciting to watch. Crosby has a lot of competiveness as well, but his comes across (in my opinion, anyway) as a petulant expectancy of his greatness. You could say Ovechkin’s game is all skill in the format of a grinding energy-line player; Crosby’s game is all skill in the format of a prima-donna superstar (in the style of an Alexei Kovalev). I’ve never seen a player outside of European club soccer cry to the refs as much as Crosby. I feel that 9 out of 10 fans who have played competitive ice hockey can pick up on Crosby’s arrogance and the skin-deep modesty he displays as the de-facto “face of the NHL”.

— On pure skill, I can’t knock Crosby any more than I can praise Ovechkin. Crosby is ALL THAT in terms of hockey ability, just like Ovechkin. It’s the aspects of the game aside from scoring, passing, and offense that Ovechkin trumps Crosby in — things like hitting, fighting, sportsmanship, work in the corners, playing through the shots that EVERY player takes without crying to refs, etc.

I wanted to admire Crosby’s game when he came into the league, but I’ve skated against his type enough to be turned off the first time I saw him whine to the stripes after a marginal missed call (and again and again, afterwards). I admire his ability, but hate his persona and intangibles.

Like I said, give me Ovechkin any day. He does it all, and his game speaks for itself. Also, in response to the “what if Crosby didn’t get hurt” arguement…. Crosby DID get hurt, and Evgeni Malkin had a much better year as a result. That’s just the way it is…

for every goal TWO assits are up for grabs, therefore its twice as hard to score a goal then to get an assist.

also

a goal can come without an assits, but an assits can NEVER come without a goal.

ovechkin is more valuable because goals are more valuable. talk to me again when crosby gets at least 50. (i guess he has to get to 40 first). let alone 65.

second assits are a very stupid idea .. perhaps we should just give 3rd assists too?

the penguins always make sure their golden boy crosby touches the puck before they shoot on the powerplay — just watch the replays — the coach tells them to do this so sid can live up to the hype (but he never will).

Ovechkin’s points per game: 1.38
Crosby’s pointer per game: 1.35

so you see it wouldnt matter, this is the only evidence we have about this season in terms of what would happen had both competed — so if we are to make ANY assumptions it is on the only evidence that we have, which leads us to conclude that AO would have beaten the “kid”.

end of argument — well it could be but i have more.

the fact is that crosby DID get injured would you rather have a player who snipes you 65 goals? or a player who misses 20+ games and then you can sit around and wonder about what could have been?

resiliance is a part of the game its another stat, just like goal scoring.

saying that crosby “would have beaten ovechkin if only he didnt get injured” is the same as saying he “would have beaten ovechkin if only he scored 70 goals” niether of them are traits of sidney crosby. if he scored 70 he wouldnt be the crosby we know, if he didnt get injured he wouldnt be the crosby we know.

in his 3 seasons in the nhl crosby has already: broken his foot, pulled his groin, and sat out with an ankle injury — twice. how can he get get injured so much while playing such a non physical game? (he doesnt dish out the hits anything like AO)

3 major injuries in 3 nhl seasons is not a good way to start a career — i predict crosby’s days will be plagued with injuries eventually ending his hype.

Ovechkin could possibly be the best player this year only due to default. If Crosby had not got injuried, he would have left everyone behind in the scoring race. He would have had atleast 130+ this year. That being said Crosby would once again won most of the major awards again. Ovechkin plays very well on a team he can be a puck hog and go to guy. Lokk at the shots he takes on a nightly basis. Look at shot % compared to Malkin and Crosby against Ovenchkin.
So give Ovechkin his due this year cause he’ll never see it again as long as Crosby is playing the game. Let’s just see over the next 5 years who puts up crazy amounts of points and wins all the awards. Let’s not forget Ovenchkin is 2 full years older then Crosby.