Sidney gets the "A"

[MissConduct 1]

Penguins' Sidney Crosby has been made an alternate captain beginning tonight against the Sabres. - TSN

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Pittsburgh Page

[mack 44]

Well that makes sense, I mean that team has no leadership from the owner on down.

[mik3 1]

He supposedly became loudest voice in the locker room over the last few weeks of the Olczyk watch. And hell, much rather him with an A than Gonchar or Odelein.

[mack 44]

No team has needed Tomas Sandstrom to come back like this team.

[kosydar 0]

I'm sorry but this is pathetic. Since when does an 18 year old who has played 20 some games in the NHL deserve to be a captain? Its nothing more than a publicity stunt, and if I was one of the veterans on the team (Palffy, Recchi, LeClair, etc.) I'd be resentful as hell.

[Chadd 916]

No team has needed Tomas Sandstrom to come back like this team.

I always thought he was a bit underrated.

Kosy:

I was wondering who was going to be the first to go there.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I'm sorry but this is pathetic. Since when does an 18 year old who has played 20 some games in the NHL deserve to be a captain?

Let alone an 18 year old who is getting the reputation of being a whiner and supposedly frustrating some teammates in the process.

[Nick23 0]

I know i am one to talk but he is way too young, as much experience as body hair

[QandA 0]

So was Yzerman....

[chippa13 1844]

Yzerman probably showed more respect and dignity as a rookie the Crosby. It certainly wouldn't be hard.

He is whining on the ice

He called out his team to the media before confronting them/ holding a meeting

He puts down someone who established far more then he has done in Eddie O

And he gets the A w/ kid gloves

It takes guts to call out teammates on night in/night out effort. That is the kind of thing a leader should be doing. That is something the veterans should be doing but they aren't. This should be a real wake up call to the glut of veterans on that team when an 18 year old rookie is showing more leadership and hutzpah than they are.

Olczyk should never have been coach. That was a foolish move by the Pens to take a guy out of the broadcast booth and put him behind the bench when he had absolutely no experience behind a bench.

[SR27 0]

No team has needed Tomas Sandstrom to come back like this team.

Because of his fugly red Sher-Wood´s? :D

[McCabe#1 0]

I agree with Chippa. Maybe they are trying to wake up the vets who have been playing HORRIBLY this year. There play, and lack of effort this year has caused the Pens to be so bad. If Crosby is there best leader, then he should get the 'A'. The Vets sure haven't deserved it with there effort. At least Crosby shows up.

[Havok19 0]

Evryone told the same thing when Stevie Y became the youngest captain in nhl.20 year later he his considered one of the best captain and leader that the nhl ever had.So i will give a chance to Sidney.He is a leader in his heart and he is winner inside it too.

Good luck Sidney.

[McCabe#1 0]

Who would you prefer to get it on that team?

[Eazy_b97 1]

Who would you prefer to get it on that team?

If nobody deserves it, nobody should have it. I have no problems with Crosby calling team meetings, but the Eddie O comments and on ice actions show his immaturity. You never burn your bridges and have to conduct yourself with class.

[McCabe#1 0]

I don't believe whining is leadership, but are people calling it whining from him because he is so young and has 'put in his time'??? I'm not sure. But it seems like he gets a rough go from some people and the media, because he is so young and the so called 'choosen one'. I don't think Michelle Therien would have named him an assistant captain if he was so bad. THere have been lots of young, great players that have come in and have not received that honour. Just a thought. None of us our in the dressing room, and most reports we receive are opinion based as opposed to fact based.

[chippa13 1844]

I think more of it has to do with his age, which is a joke. This kid has come into a team with offensive power and is leading that team in scoring. That speaks to his ability. He is almost always the best Pens player in their games. That speaks to his drive and work ethic. He isn't afraid to speak up in the room or call out his teammates when he sees a lack of effort and direction. That speaks to his leadership. So he may carp a little much on the way to the box sometimes, big deal. Get over it.

I think this kid is the real deal and look forward to watching his career, as the sky is the limit.

[McCabe#1 0]

What are you saying that he does is ignorant?

[chippa13 1844]

Ahhh, the age old, tear him down, he hasn't put his time in, act.

Any veteran player who did the same things Crosby has would be considered a great player, one who cares and leaves it all on the ice. But since it comes from a hyped kid everyone wants to shut him up.

I seem to remember another young star who had the "whiner" label attached to him in his first couple of years. He wound up being great while wearing the "A".

[chippa13 1844]

What are you saying that he does is ignorant?

Nah, it's just jealousy rearing its ugly head.

[43%burnt 0]

i think this is an interesting move. i think it more has to do with the vets on the pens not stepping up then it has to do with anything crosby has done. all year long, these FA signies have yet to produce on any decent level. they have all been coasting around like nothing. skating hard is a myth to them. regardless of what he has said, crosby has been there most consistent player that actually looks like he gives a damn. you can call it whining, to me it just looks like a young kid that's frustrated that the team keeps losing. which is freaking pathetic with the amount of talent on that team. this is a wake up call for the rest of the team. not a reward for crosby.

[DarkStar50 679]

I seem to remember another young star who had the "whiner" label attached to him in his first couple of years. He wound up being great while wearing the "A".

Chippa,

If you are calling out 99, you are dead on. When Gretzky started in 79, he whined and whined at the refs all the time. He also backed up his bitching with a game that doesn't need to be described by me. So fellas, there is a bit of history here that Crosby is doing. He is not the first "Young Gun" to come into the NHL and run his mouth in a locker room full of vets. And these vets aren't doing JACK! So, if Sid wants to take the leadership role now, go for it Kid. Three years from now, when he is all of 21, everyone will say how mature he was at 18 to step up and do what he is doing now. Lets see how this one plays out before we make our final decisions.

[McCabe#1 0]

How do we know he didn't confront them beforehand???

[chippa13 1844]

Funny how I love Ovechkin and am "jealous" of Crosby. Both #1 picks and Ovy has actually accomplished more thus far. So please explain, Chippa. You'd figure I'd be more jealous of the more successful one.

Maybe ignorance is not the right word I am using. But putting down a person who has been in hockey for years and has a ring in Eddie O is ignorance. Even on OLN PJ stock was saying it could have been dentrimental that he tried to call out his teams play in the media without confronting them beforehand. They all agreed its something you don't do, but Clement and Jones are mindless idiots so they found a way to make it a plus.

And the whining on the calls just tops the cake.

What exactly has Ovechkin accomplished again, because to me it looks like they are having pretty similar seasons.

And basing any opinions on the words of PJ Stock carries about as much weight as the former Iraqi Information Minister.

[A_Steeves12 0]

AO is playing on a shit team where as crosby is playing with seasoned vets. he can set up. im loving seeing crosby struggling right now.

As for him getting an "A" bs i think its a joke. after hearing them talk about him on sportsnet lastnight and hearing he's becoming a "cancer" in the room i think it shows a lack of respect for the other vets. i always knew this kid was a little whiner and im glad everyone else can see it now.