80 replies to this topic

[brett]

i wonder how many points datsyuk would put up if wings were an eastern division team

[GMRwings1983]

i wonder how many points datsyuk would put up if wings were an eastern division team

Not this argument again.

[Redwings-40-5]

Crosby is a damn good player ,no doubt about it. The thing that bothers me the most about him is the media's urge to constantly shove him down my throat.... There are other great players in this league.

Edited by Redwings-40-5, 18 March 2012 - 01:24 PM.

[Nic]

Crosby is a damn good player ,no doubt about it. The thing that bothers me the most about him is the media's urge to constatnly shove him down my throat.... There are other great players in this league.

Was just about to say this, exactly. He may or may not be the best player in the league, but he's still overrated even if he is. I think that for people on this board it has a lot less to do with 'still being 2008' and a lot more to do with being flat out sick of the the media around him. He's gotten as much 'positive' press about 'what a great player he is' over the what is it, year or so, he's been off as he has in his active career. Their bias is obvious and THAT'S what leaves a lot of people sour on him, not his play necessarily.

Also, I haven't been keeping tabs on his on-ice 'personality', but from what I remember that isn't/wasn't helping his case, either. I know that doesn't have anything to do with how well he plays, but to call someone a blanket "BEST player" in the league, they, in my opinion, should be broadly known as being pretty classy to fit the whole package of such a description. That's purely me, though. And the way he at least used to be doesn't fit that bill for me. Like I said though, I only speak for myself on that one.

Edited by Nic, 18 March 2012 - 01:33 PM.

[edicius]

So we're judging "best" based on 10 game sample sizes now? Ooh, ooh, I can play that game too! Malkin's the best! No, wait, I mean Stamkos! Perry! Gagner!!!

10 games over 14 months doth not a best player make. Considering he's probably one hard hit away from the end of his career, the jury's most definitely still out on this one. And FWIW, Philly's neutralized him today.

Edited by edicius, 18 March 2012 - 02:12 PM.

[McAwesome]

As much as I dislike the kid's attitude and the level of media attention he receives, there is no way that I can deny Crosby's status as the elite talent of his generation. Not taking anything away from Datsyuk, Malkin, Ovechkin, Stamkos, Giroux, or any of the other names that have been brought up, but Sid, like other generational talents, just seems to have an extra gear that others don't have. Aside from the personality issues that have been well discussed, he doesn't really have any weaknesses in his game anymore. Let's not forget, before his concussion last season, he was on pace to break 60 goals and 130 points, plus he has improved significantly on face-offs and defense (not to Datsyuk's level, but still better than he was a couple years ago), so IMO he is the best player in the game right now when healthy.

Edited by McAwesome, 18 March 2012 - 02:05 PM.

[GoalieManPat]

Your only the best player if you can stay on the ice. Crosby hasnt been able to for over a year.

[haroldsnepsts]

As much as I dislike the kid's attitude and the level of media attention he receives, there is no way that I can deny Crosby's status as the elite talent of his generation. Not taking anything away from Datsyuk, Malkin, Ovechkin, Stamkos, Giroux, or any of the other names that have been brought up, but Sid, like other generational talents, just seems to have an extra gear that others don't have. Aside from the personality issues that have been well discussed, he doesn't really have any weaknesses in his game anymore. Let's not forget, before his concussion last season, he was on pace to break 60 goals and 130 points, plus he has improved significantly on face-offs and defense (not to Datsyuk's level, but still better than he was a couple years ago), so IMO he is the best player in the game right now when healthy.

This.

He has a douchiness that seems to come from his every pore while playing on the ice, but that doesn't mean he's not incredibly talented. And dedicated. Unlike Ovechkin, Crosby keeps working on areas of his game and improving every year. And he's only 24.

The only real question is his noggin. As much as I want someone to punch his fat whiny face when I watch him play, as a hockey fan it'd be a shame if we didn't get to see what he was capable of in a full career.

[Z and D for the C]

Come one, anyone who says he isn't the best is only a Wings homer. I love Datsyuk, but if you wouldn't have Crosby over Datsyuk, you're crazy. Is Pav's defense better? Of course, but not so much that it overshadows Crosby's offense.

[Motown4013]

So we're judging "best" based on 10 game sample sizes now? Ooh, ooh, I can play that game too! Malkin's the best! No, wait, I mean Stamkos! Perry! Gagner!!!

10 games over 14 months doth not a best player make. Considering he's probably one hard hit away from the end of his career, the jury's most definitely still out on this one. And FWIW, Philly's neutralized him today.

Come on ....it's not 10 games....he has been the best or in the conversation since 2005. I don't like the kid- he is arrogant and a whiner but when healthy, he is the best player in the NHL. No need for a sample size on that.

[Frank the Tank]

So we're judging "best" based on 10 game sample sizes now? Ooh, ooh, I can play that game too! Malkin's the best! No, wait, I mean Stamkos! Perry! Gagner!!!

10 games over 14 months doth not a best player make. Considering he's probably one hard hit away from the end of his career, the jury's most definitely still out on this one. And FWIW, Philly's neutralized him today.

yep it's just over 10 games, oh wait...

Regular Season: 422 GP, 217 G, 327 A, 1.40 PPG, +77,

Playoffs: 62 GP, 30 G, 52 A, 1.32 PPG, +22

Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Lester B Pearson Award, Stanley Cup champion, 24 years old

Edited by Frank the Tank, 18 March 2012 - 11:54 PM.

[AceInTheSleeve]

I strongly dislike Crosby. Personal bias aside, he is still NOT the best player in the league. Plus he is a terrible role model for all talented young hockey players out there with his on ice jack-assery. Booooooo!

[Red Wings Addict]

I'm looking forward to him getting Kronwalled in the finals .

I don't think Bettman or the Hockey Gods will let that happen.

If Kronner gets him like he did Voracek or Havlat then I wonder if that could really put Sid out of the game.

Maybe it's not all that likely because he's a center and perhaps doesn't spend as much time skating up the wing like so many of Kronwall's victims but we've seen Kesler, Briere and Bonk get hit at least.

[Wings_Toledo]

I hate to admit it, but yeah he's the best player in the league. It's just his on-ice attitude that makes him unlikeable by non-Pens fans. Hopefully after missing so much time from concussion issues he'll learn to tone down the temper tantrums and just go out and play. I doubt he wants to bring about the wrath of some goon that just wants to take his head off.

[edicius]

I hate to admit it, but yeah he's the best player in the league. It's just his on-ice attitude that makes him unlikeable by non-Pens fans. Hopefully after missing so much time from concussion issues he'll learn to tone down the temper tantrums and just go out and play. I doubt he wants to bring about the wrath of some goon that just wants to take his head off.

Certainly didn't stop him when he came back the first time. He would get touched, hit the ice and then glare at the ref for a call. Maybe this time it'll be different, who knows.

[Wings_Toledo]

Certainly didn't stop him when he came back the first time. He would get touched, hit the ice and then glare at the ref for a call. Maybe this time it'll be different, who knows.

Well, that's why I said "hopefully." Sooner or later it will click for him that if he wants to avoid sitting out half of a season again he needs to stop with the flopping around and little cheap shots after the whistle. If he cuts down the unnecessary contact he'll last longer.

[edicius]

Well, that's why I said "hopefully." Sooner or later it will click for him that if he wants to avoid sitting out half of a season again he needs to stop with the flopping around and little cheap shots after the whistle. If he cuts down the unnecessary contact he'll last longer.

Read during one of the game recaps that he decided to knee Jagr (unpenalized, of course), so it might still be too much to ask. Actually, there seemed to be a whole lot of cheapshotting going on from the Pens yesterday, particularly from Letang and Malkin.

[esteef]

I still take Datsyuk one-on-one against anyone in the league, including a 100% healthy Golden Boy.

esteef

[Dave]

I strongly dislike Crosby. Personal bias aside, he is still NOT the best player in the league. Plus he is a terrible role model for all talented young hockey players out there with his on ice jack-assery. Booooooo!

I don't like him either, but who is better?

[Frank the Tank]

I don't like him either, but who is better?

This is the key question. Tell us who you think is better and we'll compare numbers and accomplishments.