HOOOOOOOOOOOCKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY

[The_Dude 1,142]

I like Crosby, but I DO think the media is going overboard when they start talking about his "legacy" and speak of him in the same breath as Lemieux and Gretzky. There's at least one better player in the NHL right now (I could argue that there are two or three)...it just happens that he's (they're) not Canadian!

Have you heard Ovechkin speaking english? He's not really sponsorship material at this point. Crosby has that squeeky clean image and look. The thing about Crosby that I don't really like is that he seems to avoid any contact or any physical play.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Have you heard Ovechkin speaking english? He's not really sponsorship material at this point. Crosby has that squeeky clean image and look. The thing about Crosby that I don't really like is that he seems to avoid any contact or any physical play.

I agree on both counts...but in a way, the general snubbing of Ovechkin is a tad biased towards North Americans, isn't it? He's arguably the greatest player of his generation -- his country of origin should disqualify him from being considered as such in the media.

As for Crosby, I've seen him mix it up a bit and push back. I think his reputation as a sissy isn't fully deserved. After all, Gretzky was even less inclined to mix it up...and had guys like Semenko and McSorley (among others) to be his on-ice bodyguard. I'm not calling Gretz a sissy...but that's more sissy-worthy behavior than Crosby's, I think. Crosby doesn't like getting roughed up, but at least he DOES take hits and pushes back etc.

[Sprailenes 47]

Have you heard Ovechkin speaking english? He's not really sponsorship material at this point. Crosby has that squeeky clean image and look. The thing about Crosby that I don't really like is that he seems to avoid any contact or any physical play.

If I had a face as beautiful as his I'd be avoiding physical contact too.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

If I had a face as beautiful as his I'd be avoiding physical contact too.

Wow! I've heard a lot of people refer to Ovechkin's face in a lot of different ways...but that's the first I've heard anything in the ballpark of "beautiful" describing it!

Edited March 2, 2010 by Wyatt's Torch

[Sprailenes 47]

Ugh.. I was talking about Crosby.

Have you heard Ovechkin speaking english? He's not really sponsorship material at this point. Crosby has that squeeky clean image and look. The thing about Crosby that I don't really like is that he seems to avoid any contact or any physical play.

See?

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Ugh.. I was talking about Crosby.

See?

Oh...

[The_Dude 1,142]

I agree on both counts...but in a way, the general snubbing of Ovechkin is a tad biased towards North Americans, isn't it? He's arguably the greatest player of his generation -- his country of origin should disqualify him from being considered as such in the media.

As for Crosby, I've seen him mix it up a bit and push back. I think his reputation as a sissy isn't fully deserved. After all, Gretzky was even less inclined to mix it up...and had guys like Semenko and McSorley (among others) to be his on-ice bodyguard. I'm not calling Gretz a sissy...but that's more sissy-worthy behavior than Crosby's, I think. Crosby doesn't like getting roughed up, but at least he DOES take hits and pushes back etc.

That is why I was never really a Gretzky fan. I liked to watch him play, but I still consider Gordie Howe to be the greatest of all time. I don't like Crosby's style of play because I see it as a function of the direction the sport is going in general. They are trying to get away from the image of Slap Shot style play. But I think that physical play is a big part of the sport, and that fighting is a necessary evil.

The NHL focuses on North American players because that is their fan base. Seriously, Ovechkin's english is like a horrible stereotype from a movie in the 80's. How are they going to promote players who can barely speak the language?

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

That is why I was never really a Gretzky fan. I liked to watch him play, but I still consider Gordie Howe to be the greatest of all time. I don't like Crosby's style of play because I see it as a function of the direction the sport is going in general. They are trying to get away from the image of Slap Shot style play. But I think that physical play is a big part of the sport, and that fighting is a necessary evil.

The NHL focuses on North American players because that is their fan base. Seriously, Ovechkin's english is like a horrible stereotype from a movie in the 80's. How are they going to promote players who can barely speak the language?

Oh, I totally agree. That's why I actually preferred the makeup of the U.S. Olympic team. If all nationalism was taken away, I would have been rooting for the U.S. the whole way. I like gritty, physical play. I know that Canada was a bit more physical than the U.S. in the Gold game, but throughout the series, I think the U.S. was rougher overall.

I'm a big fan of hard hitting hockey. And I don't mind fighting either. I thought it was great when Carcillo and Gaborik had their little fight -- great for BOTH of them! Great to see Gaborik dropping his gloves for the first time...against a goon like Carcillo, no less...and great for Carcillo for ignoring the "code" that you don't fight star players.

I'm not going to say Ovechkin is my favorite player in the league, but his blend of explosive scoring prowess and physicality is such a pleasure to watch!

[The_Dude 1,142]

Oh, I totally agree. That's why I actually preferred the makeup of the U.S. Olympic team. If all nationalism was taken away, I would have been rooting for the U.S. the whole way. I like gritty, physical play. I know that Canada was a bit more physical than the U.S. in the Gold game, but throughout the series, I think the U.S. was rougher overall.

I'm a big fan of hard hitting hockey. And I don't mind fighting either. I thought it was great when Carcillo and Gaborik had their little fight -- great for BOTH of them! Great to see Gaborik dropping his gloves for the first time...against a goon like Carcillo, no less...and great for Carcillo for ignoring the "code" that you don't fight star players.

I'm not going to say Ovechkin is my favorite player in the league, but his blend of explosive scoring prowess and physicality is such a pleasure to watch!

I think if you look at their play, Crosby is a better player on a more consistent level. But, Ovechkin has the ability on every shift to make your jaw drop and say to yourself "wow, did he seriously just do that?".

[Pauley 2]

That is essentially the same line of reasoning in the argument that Nev's co-workers are employing. That's like saying the U.S. is better at hockey because a U.S. based team has won the Stanley cup every year for the last 17 years.

Heh, yeah... US teams... made half of Canadian players.

[bowflex 0]

Lol Had the day off yesterday but good God that was surprising what went on in here

Congrats to Team Canada, can't really say either team deserved it more than the other as both played their butts off but in the end the score is all that matters so good for them

And as for anyone saying the tournament should've been a best of instead of one win and you move on, think about it. Team USA would not beat Canada 4 out of 7 or even 3 out of 5. Sure they played great in two games versus Canada but keep in mind Canada was still juggling the lines in the first game. You give that team longer to gel and it would be a massacre without Miller playing out of his mind. I think some forget that Canada had over 40 shots that first game lol

I really am glad that the Olympics are over now because I want every dumbhead American who might've seen Slap Shot or Miracle and nothing else to stop talking about hockey. I'm still hearing how it would've challenged the 1980 team's accomplishments if Team USA beat Team Canada for the gold. Umm, Russia had its pro team on the ice and Team USA was made up of a bunch of college kids who 9 out of 10 times would've been crushed. Be glad that Team USA over-achieved and is setting a very solid foundation for future years and congratulate the team that earned the win.

The lack of sportsmanship or even humility makes me want to puke sometimes lol

[The_Dude 1,142]

Lol Had the day off yesterday but good God that was surprising what went on in here

Congrats to Team Canada, can't really say either team deserved it more than the other as both played their butts off but in the end the score is all that matters so good for them

And as for anyone saying the tournament should've been a best of instead of one win and you move on, think about it. Team USA would not beat Canada 4 out of 7 or even 3 out of 5. Sure they played great in two games versus Canada but keep in mind Canada was still juggling the lines in the first game. You give that team longer to gel and it would be a massacre without Miller playing out of his mind. I think some forget that Canada had over 40 shots that first game lol

I really am glad that the Olympics are over now because I want every dumbhead American who might've seen Slap Shot or Miracle and nothing else to stop talking about hockey. I'm still hearing how it would've challenged the 1980 team's accomplishments if Team USA beat Team Canada for the gold. Umm, Russia had its pro team on the ice and Team USA was made up of a bunch of college kids who 9 out of 10 times would've been crushed. Be glad that Team USA over-achieved and is setting a very solid foundation for future years and congratulate the team that earned the win.

The lack of sportsmanship or even humility makes me want to puke sometimes lol

I hate the comparisons to the 1980 team. I find it to be an insult to both the talent and skill in today's team, and an insult to the enormity of the 1980 team's victory. The 1980 team was filled with some of the greatest players of all time like Tretiak, Mikhailov, Petrov and Fetisov while the U.S. had a hot goalie and serviceable NHL player in Broten.

[thetreble 19]

That is why I was never really a Gretzky fan. I liked to watch him play, but I still consider Gordie Howe to be the greatest of all time. I don't like Crosby's style of play because I see it as a function of the direction the sport is going in general. They are trying to get away from the image of Slap Shot style play. But I think that physical play is a big part of the sport, and that fighting is a necessary evil.

The NHL focuses on North American players because that is their fan base. Seriously, Ovechkin's english is like a horrible stereotype from a movie in the 80's. How are they going to promote players who can barely speak the language?

Completely disagree. Back in the early 90s, if you were under a certain height and weight, no matter HOW good you were..how many goals you scored, etc., you wouldn't have even been looked at. Gretzky was one of the few, small men out there...and his talent was so unreal they couldn't turn him away. My oldest brother never grew past 5'7" and was told he'd never get past midget. Luckly for him, his speed got him to junior and then to semi pro in the US for a few years.

The "New" NHL focuses on speed, agility, mental capacity, etc. Guys like St. Louis and Gaborik would have never crept up into the league if it weren't for the shift on philosophy. Physicality is very important in the game and some people, like Crosby, could use it a bit more. But I'd say that Sid and Ovi are completely different players. Ovi is an amazing 2 way player. Sid is more of a goal scorer and sees the ice just a tad bit better.

That's my problem with the Maple Leafs. They have stood back and watched every team to adapt to the new philosophy but themselves. The day they start getting younger, fresher, more vibrant talent, that's the day they will make the playoffs again.

[bowflex 0]

That's my problem with the Maple Leafs. They have stood back and watched every team to adapt to the new philosophy but themselves. The day they start getting younger, fresher, more vibrant talent, that's the day they will make the playoffs again.

It does seem like a lot of the Leafs fans now are willing to accept a few years of rebuilding whereas in previous years they weren't so that should help out Brian Burke with creating a much better team. Getting rid of Blake this year was a great move but I'm still wondering how bad the Kessel trade is going to hurt them for the next few years. He's a great goal scorer but his work ethic is #######, he refuses to go to the dirty areas, and if he starts getting ripped on too much by the media he's going to be come a little pouty moron like he did in Boston.

I do love watching a team get rebuilt and come together (GO AVS BABY) so hopefully "Canada's Team" can do so finally. I would hate to see Toronto actually win the Cup though cause I have a feeling their fans would rival the ol' Flyers fans in their annoyance powers hahaha

[Flames9_RN 358]

Wait to come to DC--So ANTI-Crosby here,lol Hard to say if oen was a GM who you would want on ur team if ya had to choose 1--OV or crosby! Can't really go wrong with either one, a true pleasure watching them both play. One may have to give the Kid a slight edge, as hi splay isn't quite as reckless, so may be less injury prone, but Sid has had a few groin issues. I could really care less who is better, just happy to watch them both play. 1 radio announcer here on 106.7 the fan (sports radio stn in DC, can listen online) stated he hated Crosby, but admitted he was the better player of the two, BUT was going to Nuke Canada,lol

Hard to say who would win between USA/Canada in a best of 7 series, could go either way, i think they were two evenly matched teams. Vancouver Canucks best hope Loungo gets rid of his "shakes" he just did not look comfortable out there the whole game