Probert 5 For Fighting 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 Malkin and Crosby have proven to be other-worldy offensive talents, just like Dats and Zeta. Big difference is, Dats and Zeta are also premier defensive studs at this stage in their careers. Guys like Yzerman and Dats took years before they reached Selke-caliber levels after being so one-dimensional early on. Down the line, I'd expect both Malkin and Crosby to rival our duo. In the meantime, just enjoy them getting shut down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 If Malkin is to become an elite player he will need to Cherry pick less and play a little in his own zone. There is no denying the two are all world offensive talents, but IMO, to be one of the best in the game you must play D, the game is not as wide open as it was in the 80's. Every player needs to play sound D in order for a team to be successful! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 Malkin and Crosby have proven to be other-worldy offensive talents, just like Dats and Zeta. Big difference is, Dats and Zeta are also premier defensive studs at this stage in their careers. Guys like Yzerman and Dats took years before they reached Selke-caliber levels after being so one-dimensional early on. Down the line, I'd expect both Malkin and Crosby to rival our duo. In the meantime, just enjoy them getting shut down. Yzerman's first 1st place vote for the Selke came in 1989. He was 24. Datsyuk's first 1st place vote for the Selke was in 2007. He was 28. Crosby is 20, Malkin is 21. So based on the Yzerman/Datsyuk standard, they have 4-8 seasons and 3-7 seasons, respectively, to produce a 1st place vote for the Selke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casey 145 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 My gut says Malkin won't be in Pitt very long. He wants to be a marquee player, and he can't do that on the same team as Crosby. I'll bet he walks to the first team that offers the big cash. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 Yzerman's first 1st place vote for the Selke came in 1989. He was 24. Datsyuk's first 1st place vote for the Selke was in 2007. He was 28. Crosby is 20, Malkin is 21. So based on the Yzerman/Datsyuk standard, they have 4-8 seasons and 3-7 seasons, respectively, to produce a 1st place vote for the Selke. They would need coach like Scotty or Babcock. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
imisssergei 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 I don't know if I'm way off on this, but I get the feeling that Malkin is to Crosby as Fedorov was to Yzerman. I'm not even factoring in the coincidence that Malkin is Russian either. Malkin wants to be "the man" and that spot will always belong to Sid on the Pens. I agree, sort of. I don't think that Malkin necessarily wants to be 'the man' over Crosby. However, I do believe that Malkin is much more effective without Crosby than with. If I'm coaching the Pens, it's Malkin as first line center, Crosby second line center. The reasoning the benefits of Malkin on the first line rather than second are greater than the losses of having Crosby on the second line rather than the first. Also, if I'm coaching the Wings, I would split of Pav and Hank for game 3. I think it would create more headaches for the Pens than they could deal with. Now not only do the Pens have to watch the d parings, but two forward lines. Just makes it tougher on Crosby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 Why would you want to change up the lines? This team has not even given up a goal, hell they were up 2-0 before the Pens even registered a shot. Why change a damn thing, make them change, make them play line combos that aren't their normal, if/when your team is on a tear like this I am of the opinion that you don't change a thing!!!! Even though I have not supported Maltby all year, he has been in these last 2 games and the team hasn't given up a goal. Stay with it! BTW: I said before the series Maltby should sit for Mac, Maltby looked pretty good out there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graybeard 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 Age. As I've been saying all season long, Hank and Dats are untouchable right now. But in a few years, when Crosby and Malkin become more complete, more experienced players, they'll be right up there. That depends. They need a coach like Bowman or Babcock to bring it out of them. If they keep on going the way they are they'll continue to put up great offensive numbers and well no doubt end up with some hart trophies for their offensive skills but may never win a cup. What needs to happen soon is for all the talking heads around them to stop blowing smoke up their arse telling them they are good defensive players. Sorry they really aren't. They don't even play especially good away from the puck on offense. They are average at best and it seems like they've spent a lot of time on the ice standing around instead of moving their skates and working for it. Maybe now that they have spent some time on the ice with forwards who really are good defensively they'll realize the difference and work on their game this off season. If they make it a priority and improve this aspect of their game, they will be unstoppable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 Oh no, not this again. The Pens are overrated and are mentally defeated. Even the Stars didn't whine this much when we were up 3-0. Besides, everything in my post was quoted for truth. Crosby and Malkin aren't as complete all-around players as Pavel and Hank. I read on TSN that teams that won the first 2 home games in the SCF won the series 30 out of 31 times. So even not taking in to account the dominating performances that we had in games 1 and 2, there is historically a 96.875% chance that we will win the series. It's over. The only question is when the Wings will skate with the cup and whether or not it will be at the Joe or in Pittsburgh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 I read on TSN that teams that won the first 2 home games in the SCF won the series 30 out of 31 times. So even not taking in to account the dominating performances that we had in games 1 and 2, there is historically a 96.875% chance that we will win the series. It's over. The only question is when the Wings will skate with the cup and whether or not it will be at the Joe or in Pittsburgh. In recent memory, many teams have gotten off to huge leads in the SCF, only to let the other team back in the series. Although those teams eventually won anyway, I don't want this series coming back to the JLA tied 2-2. Hopefully the Wings will come out with killer instinct the next 2 games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 In recent memory, many teams have gotten off to huge leads in the SCF, only to let the other team back in the series. Although those teams eventually won anyway, I don't want this series coming back to the JLA tied 2-2. Hopefully the Wings will come out with killer instinct the next 2 games. Amen brother. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 I would love a sweep, trust me I would, but I love nothing better than watching a team win it all in front of their home crowd! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KocursRightHand 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 The difference is that dats and zetterberg work hard BOTH ways, not just on the offensive end. The Pens back check is lazy and undisciplined right now, whereas guys like Dats and Z are supporting their d-men EVERY trip down the ice. This makes them better than Malkin and Crosby by leaps and bounds. The X-factor is that Dats and Z think the game light years ahead of the Pittsburgh kids right now. They are able to see 3-4 moves/passes ahead and be positionally near perfect. Right now, it's no contest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 They would need coach like Scotty or Babcock. Yzerman was always a responsible defensive player....His first 1st place Selke vote came 4 years before Bowman coached him. Just FYI. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 They would need coach like Scotty or Babcock. QFT. Babcock deserves a lot of credit for making Datsyuk into the all around monster he is. Zetterberg already had the rep as hard-working 2-way player when he came to Detroit. Dats on the other hand was a just a quiet Russian with dazzling stick-handling skills who was afraid to shoot the puck.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted May 27, 2008 I would love a sweep, trust me I would, but I love nothing better than watching a team win it all in front of their home crowd! Crosby will throw a hissy fit and kidnap the Cup, refusing to give it to anyone, instead claiming that the officials stole it from him and his team. I'm worried as to what may happen if we sweep, with the way they've been whining. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
