Sidney gets the "A"

[dietzie27 0]

i agree with both of you guys. and about talbot, he is by far the best energy player we had. i dont get it. send him down, but keep shane endicott? we send down our hands down best pk guy to keep a guy who takes dumb penalties.

yeah chadd, recchi really surprised me with his work ethic as well. everybody else is in this country club atmosphere.

[Prhockey2607 0]

i agree with both of you guys. and about talbot, he is by far the best energy player we had. i dont get it. send him down, but keep shane endicott? we send down our hands down best pk guy to keep a guy who takes dumb penalties.

yeah chadd, recchi really surprised me with his work ethic as well. everybody else is in this country club atmosphere.

Ya, I can't believe that. I hate Endicott

[MaverickFBI 0]

It's funny to see how important is the name on the visit card... compared to how you produce every night.

For most fans the player's name is more important than the hard daily facts.

Most of the pens so called stars don't produce.

Most of them don't even show they care.

And I think that most of them are unable to adapt to the new nhl.

So a 18 years old kid gets the A : strange...ok. That speaks for the hard time faced by the Pens. Wait and see.

[Deathmoves 0]

he's performed up to the hype in my opinion and I think he has proven himself on the ice...now i havent been in the locker room or around him or that team to decide how good of a captain he is off the ice, but he seems to be a fine one on the ice for his work ethic.

Proven himself???? He aint even played a season pro yet! I think this is more to do with hype than anything else. Fair enough, IF the guy show the right leadership qualities then he should have the "A" no matter how old he is.

I would like to hear what some of his other team m8s have to say about it.

[Chadd 916]

I would like to hear what some of his other team m8s have to say about it.

You won't hear a negative word from anyone. I am quite surprised that you aren't hearing anything positive though.

[DarkStar50 679]

I would like to hear what some of his other team m8s have to say about it.

You won't hear a negative word from anyone. I am quite surprised that you aren't hearing anything positive though.

I think its safe to say that is a team where everyone is just looking out for himself. No one wants to say anything negative:thats a big mistake. No one wants to say anything positive because that would just draw attention to themselves. Even if a player said something positive, other than SC, the guys in the room would probably just ignore him for talking tot he media. This is all conjecture but this team has massive internal problems that are now all too obvious. What looked so good in October now looks so bad in December.

[Chadd 916]

I would like to hear what some of his other team m8s have to say about it.

You won't hear a negative word from anyone. I am quite surprised that you aren't hearing anything positive though.

I think its safe to say that is a team where everyone is just looking out for himself. No one wants to say anything negative:thats a big mistake. No one wants to say anything positive because that would just draw attention to themselves. Even if a player said something positive, other than SC, the guys in the room would probably just ignore him for talking tot he media. This is all conjecture but this team has massive internal problems that are now all too obvious. What looked so good in October now looks so bad in December.

Remember, this is Mario's team. They all take their cues from the owner/captain.

[DarkStar50 679]

Therefore, Chadd is right: keep your mouth shut, its Mario's team. I second the motion.

[Dougie8 0]

I agree with everyone that said It is the stupidist thing they've seen, cause it is. He definitly does not deserve that. It sure sounds to me like he is becoming very annoying to media/veterans, I heard someone on T.V. the other day that was just thrashing the Pens for doing that, Since when can an 18 year old kid make comments like that? And earlier in this post someone said Gonchar doesnt deserve a "A" he is a Solid defenceman, thats playing on a bad team.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

I thought the Flyers were nuts for signing Recchi to a 5 year $25M deal a few years back but at the end of the contract he was the hardest working player on the team. I will never doubt him or his talent again. He should be the captain on that team.

Recchi was also their best scorer most of the time. I love Recchi, always have, always will. The man is a sparkplug.

[Edge 0]

he's performed up to the hype in my opinion and I think he has proven himself on the ice...now i havent been in the locker room or around him or that team to decide how good of a captain he is off the ice, but he seems to be a fine one on the ice for his work ethic.

Proven himself???? He aint even played a season pro yet! I think this is more to do with hype than anything else. Fair enough, IF the guy show the right leadership qualities then he should have the "A" no matter how old he is.

I would like to hear what some of his other team m8s have to say about it.

i dont know if you watch him play often, but on the ice, he shows leadership through hard work...talking and opening your mouth doesnt just make you captain material. the fact is he is a captain RIGHT NOW. Does that mean he'll be captain after he has played a season pro? no, but the Pens are looking for leadership on their team at the moment and apparently they saw it in Crosby. I doubt they'd just slap the A on his jersey for media purposes, as they don't need any more.

[Chadd 916]

he's performed up to the hype in my opinion and I think he has proven himself on the ice...now i havent been in the locker room or around him or that team to decide how good of a captain he is off the ice, but he seems to be a fine one on the ice for his work ethic.

Proven himself???? He aint even played a season pro yet! I think this is more to do with hype than anything else. Fair enough, IF the guy show the right leadership qualities then he should have the "A" no matter how old he is.

I would like to hear what some of his other team m8s have to say about it.

i dont know if you watch him play often, but on the ice, he shows leadership through hard work...talking and opening your mouth doesnt just make you captain material. the fact is he is a captain RIGHT NOW. Does that mean he'll be captain after he has played a season pro? no, but the Pens are looking for leadership on their team at the moment and apparently they saw it in Crosby. I doubt they'd just slap the A on his jersey for media purposes, as they don't need any more.

The decision was made by the new coach, and he's replacing a guy that Crosby helped run out of town. Many of his teammates and other players in the league are annoyed by his whining and diving. He has caused a lot of dissention in the locker room already and may have permanently fractured the team chemsitry.

As for being a captain now, then why wasn't he wearing the C in juniors?

Say whatever you want about his skills and I'll agree with you, he's a world class talent. He has not earned the respect of other players around the league or on his own team that most guys with a letter have.

[chippa13 1844]

Thats pretty well said, Chadd.

Which is why I saw him as the "Anti-C" at least.

The biggest thing for me is that he doesn't have the respect of most of his team. Its clear as day from what is/ is not said in the media. And also from watching him interact with them on the bench.

Of course, the reason he got the A is based on nothing. Because the guy who gave it to him was not even with the team. It takes a lot more then being a great player on the ice. And right now that is the only thing Sidney has going for him to even come close to warrenting an A. Take some lessons from Sakic or Gretz, please.

The funny thing, the Pens are losing so this rookie stepping up and taking the reins is being interpreted as a terrible thing that is causing dissention in the room and what not, stuff that noone has come out and said. But if they were winning then everyone would be saying his penchant for taking a leadership role is the best thing that could have happened to the team.

You all say, "look at the vets on the bench, they're miserable." Guess what, playing as the worst team in the league will do that to you. Anxiety caused by not knowing where the team will play next season will do that to you. Crosby isn't the problem, he is one of the bright spots on that team.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

The Pens will be in Pittsburgh next year, don't have to worry about that. You can't argue with the fact that Recchi is the only guy they brought in thats doing squat. Gonchar has sucked it up, T-bo has sucked it up, leclair has been hurt, Roy has been hurt, Odeline is just being Odeline, Mario isn't what he once was. You'd think if a great player like Mario stepped up and said its time to do something people would listen, but noone is listening to anyone. The young kids on the Pens are the ones producing the most exciting play. Sid, Talbot, Ouelette, Orpic with his checking, and especially MAF. Everytime I turn on the Pens I pretty much watch and wait for Gonchar to cough it up at the blue line while he's carrying the puck on a breakout, T-Bo to let in atleast one really weak goal, and Odeline to take a dumb penalty or get his ass beat in a fight that doesnt really spark a fire in anyone. They gave the A to the player thast producing the most statistically and excitment/energy wise. He complains, big woop, you would too if you got run at the way he does everygame. Yeah, if I was those veteran players I'd be jealous too if some 18 year old rookie is making me look like I'm back in squirts with his movies and stats. I think thats why they dont listen or respect him. They may have more stuff career wise, but right now in the moment, and projected for the future Sid is going to pas all of them that the Pens signed. I just think they're jealous. They all wanted to play with Sid and were excited to be in Pitt, but the losses started the snowball that they're dealing with now. I just hope CP gets rid of them all and tries again next year.

[chippa13 1844]

Oh, and believe me. Those guys could care less where they are playing next year. They care about playing and getting their $, but not about where they play or Pittsburgh not having a team

Wrong, veteran guys care very much about where they are playing year to year. They don't want to be moving their families every year. Why do you think most guys want long term deals? Reason one, job security, reason two, stability as to where they live.

Oh, and how do you know he hasn't earned respect from his teammates? Have you been having discussions with Palffy and Leclair that we aren't privy to?

[DarkStar50 679]

Crosby: Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[Chadd 916]

The Pens will be in Pittsburgh next year, don't have to worry about that.

The lease runs through next season, they aren't leaving before that expires.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

Yeah thats what I was trying to say. They will be in the burgh for the 06-07 season atleast, so they dont have to worry about where tehy will be next year. Well, some of them do because they're probobly gonig to be on the trading block with the way they play.

And I'm going to second

Crosby: Damned if you do, damned it you don't.

[McCabe#1 0]

Who was the established NHL person he put down???

[chippa13 1844]

Crosby: Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Thats what happens when they hype the hell out of you for at least 3 years and are put under a miscroscope.

Plus, its his choice to whine after calls and put down an established NHL person.

BTW Chippa- As fire said the Pens are going nowhere until after next season

An established NHL person who was a terrible coach that got put behind the bench with zero coaching experience.

Following the rationale of not demeaning the established would have kept Eagleson in power and never punished Graham James.

[Chadd 916]

Crosby: Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Thats what happens when they hype the hell out of you for at least 3 years and are put under a miscroscope.

Plus, its his choice to whine after calls and put down an established NHL person.

BTW Chippa- As fire said the Pens are going nowhere until after next season

An established NHL person who was a terrible coach that got put behind the bench with zero coaching experience.

Following the rationale of not demeaning the established would have kept Eagleson in power and never punished Graham James.

Big difference between earning the right to be critical of teammates and allowing someone to continue to commit felonies.

[DarkStar50 679]

There are different levels of athletes, especially among pros. Of course, they are driven by their desire to succeed. Their talent levels all meet a minimum necessary to have the skill to perform at the pro level. And then there are those whose talent, desire, drive, motivation and will to succeed is simply greater than other professional athletes. This formula is true in all sports. This formula is what cause others to rise above the rest. I'm done with saying SC is the next 99. I don't need to hear that argument again. However, my rambling point is that players like SC have spent their entire life so highly motivated, highly driven to succeed, that for them, there is no other way to perform except to continue to drive themselves harder. The kid is on the bench expressing himself to his teammates, so what. We all do the ssme thing in our games, right? Mens league, travel hockey, pickup hockey. This makes us as guilty as SC for speaking our minds to try to play at a higher level? To try to encourage our teammates to play better, to play as a team to win? I would rather have 10 Crosbys on my team trying to make me a better player than 1 veteran malcontent who won't get with the program because the vet knows it all and doesn't need to hear it from some kid.

BTW, what does it take to earn the right to be critical of your teammates? This is an open ?, not a slam. When your teammates basically suck, you still have to keep your mouth shut?

[Chadd 916]

BTW, what does it take to earn the right to be critical of your teammates? This is an open ?, not a slam. When your teammates basically suck, you still have to keep your mouth shut?

No but personal insults rarely endear you to teammates.

[Edge 0]

The decision was made by the new coach, and he's replacing a guy that Crosby helped run out of town. Many of his teammates and other players in the league are annoyed by his whining and diving. He has caused a lot of dissention in the locker room already and may have permanently fractured the team chemsitry.

As for being a captain now, then why wasn't he wearing the C in juniors?

Say whatever you want about his skills and I'll agree with you, he's a world class talent. He has not earned the respect of other players around the league or on his own team that most guys with a letter have.

You have a point about the new coach making the decision...just curious, what exactly has he said about his teammates?

[hunter4oz 0]

I dont reallly get what the big deal is about Crosby. I mean yea, hes pretty good, but why is everyone forgetting about Ovechkin ? I think hes way better than crosby will ever be, be he just got his publicity screwed over by the lock out. \

..........and oh yea, that is bullsh!t that he got an A after playing maybe 20 games ...