Crosby's first goal!

[chippa13 1844]

It looks like I'll be in the minority here but I think Crosby looks like he is coming into his own. Sure, his first goal was garbage but Mario's first career goal wasn't exactly a work of art either. Look at the passes Crosby makes, not just the vision of them but also the accuracy. I think this kid is going to be something really special and I look for him to be running away with the rookie scoring lead sometime around January.

[Neo5370 132]

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the rule changes altering stat comparison.

If there was no red line in when gretz and mario played, those numbers would look like a linebacker's SAT score.

[chippa13 1844]

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the rule changes altering stat comparison.

If there was no red line in when gretz and mario played, those numbers would look like a linebacker's SAT score.

It was also a different game when they came in. There was almost no attention paid to defense, the goalies were smaller and they were nowhere near the athletes they are now. Really, watch highlights from the early 80's and tell me any one of us couldn't have scored those goals.

I'm not saying Gretzky and Mario aren't 1 and 1A in terms of hockey's greatest scorers, that would be like trying to say water isn't wet, just that like the red line will help today's scorers, some of the things I noted above helped the scorers of their day.

[dietzie27 0]

Sure, his first goal was garbage but Mario's first career goal wasn't exactly a work of art either.

are you serious? stealing the puck off of ray bourque and walking in on a breakaway on his first shift isnt a work of art?

[chippa13 1844]

Sure, his first goal was garbage but Mario's first career goal wasn't exactly a work of art either.

are you serious? stealing the puck off of ray bourque and walking in on a breakaway on his first shift isnt a work of art?

He got the puck because Bourque made a mistake, nothing special Mario did, and I could have scored on that breakaway.

[McCabe24 0]

I have watched Crosby for years now and he always reminded me of Peter Forsberg, he will definately have to change that style somewhat now that he can't outmuscle defenders with his leg strength but the vision he has displayed on his assists thus far is impressive. He has always been so strong on his skates and once he fills out I think he could be one of the more dominant players in the league. Once he starts to draw multiple defenders, which will take a few years, he is going to tear up the league with his playmaking ability.

As for Ovechkin I haven't seen as much of him but based on the highlights and World Juniors he definately knows how to put the puck in the net. I like his mix of power and skill play and it suits him well because I don't think he is big enough to play Bertuzzi like or quick enough to play Kovalchuk. If I had to make a comparison I would say Hossa, someone who is on the ice to score goals but won't let you down when the game gets physical.

I'm not very big on comparing the two but I would probably go with Crosby because I have seen him play a lot more even thiyfg I don't think it is fair to say he is better when his supporting cast has helped him out so much thus far. Unless Ovechkin can do something like Nash has done then I think Crosby will always be regarded as the better player throughout their careers though because I think he has the ability to be very consistent throughout his career.

[Neo5370 132]

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the rule changes altering stat comparison.

If there was no red line in when gretz and mario played, those numbers would look like a linebacker's SAT score.

It was also a different game when they came in. There was almost no attention paid to defense, the goalies were smaller and they were nowhere near the athletes they are now. Really, watch highlights from the early 80's and tell me any one of us couldn't have scored those goals.

I'm not saying Gretzky and Mario aren't 1 and 1A in terms of hockey's greatest scorers, that would be like trying to say water isn't wet, just that like the red line will help today's scorers, some of the things I noted above helped the scorers of their day.

You're right. I should'v mentioned that the rule changes help today's players, but the lack of overall defense helped yesterday's players.