Another joke in Pitt

[Grave77Digger 1]

You mean like hatcher has tried for 2 seasons? please

[jjtt99 0]

I can't remember the name of Pitt's goon last year, but word on the street is that Crosby asked for some fighting lessons. It didn't take long before management (ahem...Mario) found out and freaked. He probably didn't give Sid any dessert for a month after hearing about that one.

By the way, is the kid still living with Mario?

[mack 44]

You mean like hatcher has tried for 2 seasons? please

No, an actual NHL-caliber player.

[Datsyukiandeek 0]

Crosby has been under the microscope for so much of his life none of us can even begin to imagine what its like to walk in his shoes (or skates). Crosby is very much a heart on his sleeve type of guy. Its almost comical watching him burn a player for a goal a couple shifts right after getting roughed up. He takes whatever is thrown at him shoves it right back in there face. I can see why he doesnt have many fans outside of Pittsburgh. But that is fine by me, because the more people try to bring him down the better he plays.

Its great to see Crosby burn players But its even better when it comes back to bite him in the ass:

:P

[Grave77Digger 1]

[AnthonyJTa 0]

that's amazing...

I also see Datsyuk in 18th... waaaaay down there

[Cavs019 710]

That isnt adjusted for phantom assists either.

[chippa13 1844]

That isnt adjusted for phantom assists either.

Right, because Gretzky, Lemieux and basically every other star of the NHL never got phantom assists.

[hockeytim18 0]

Oh my. ^^^ Very nice! :P Gravedigger

[DarkStar50 679]

Whatever side you are on now, that is where you will be until Crosby retires. He is not changing his game, his style, his desire now. Crosby will play fast and dirty, like a lot of players with or without his talent level. Just because some people expect him not to "play like that" because of his skill are missing the point. With his size comes a certain amount of cockiness when you are that good. He's been fighting through bs hockey players since Day 1 in every league he's been in. The NHL will be no different, why should he? And no, he doesn't owe the game a thing. No player owes the game anything. Because in the end, the game will take more from you than you will give to the game.

[Jake 0]

Crosby got his pocket picked yet somehow gets an assist on the go ahead goal while he's cross checking a guy in the corner away from the play. The team, the officials and the player all go down in my estimation yet again.

Hey everyone, get a load of this crybaby!!

[Chadd 916]

Crosby got his pocket picked yet somehow gets an assist on the go ahead goal while he's cross checking a guy in the corner away from the play. The team, the officials and the player all go down in my estimation yet again.

Hey everyone, get a load of this crybaby!!

Evidently you can't refute my assertion intelligently and that's why you resort to name calling. At least Dark Star added something to the discussion.

Peter:

Great points, I just expect a little more class from those who so obviously want to serve as leaders.

[DarkStar50 679]

Given his style of play, I never considered Messier as showing class as a leader. Messier did his leading his way. Yzerman was the opposite of Messier as a leader in style but no less effective. There are many roads to the same destination.

[Chadd 916]

Given his style of play, I never considered Messier as showing class as a leader. Messier did his leading his way. Yzerman was the opposite of Messier as a leader in style but no less effective. There are many roads to the same destination.

The NHL didn't worship Mess until recently and at least he did something of note prior to the treatment.

[DarkStar50 679]

Gretzky may have been the lightning in Edmonton in the 80s but Messier was the thunder. I have to respectfully disagree with you that those in the NHL knew who Messier was by about 1983. He had already begun to leave his imprint by then. The Oilers Cup years were as much about Messier as they were about Gretzky. Messier's leadership abilities also shined during the 87 Canada Cup. Fast forward to his Cup win without Gretzky in Edmonton and Messier's captain's credentials were cemented by then. The Rangers story is common knowledge among those here since it took place within MSHers lifetimes. The recent Messier lovefest is just a payback, in a way, for a living legend.

[Chadd 916]

Gretzky may have been the lightning in Edmonton in the 80s but Messier was the thunder. I have to respectfully disagree with you that those in the NHL knew who Messier was by about 1983. He had already begun to leave his imprint by then. The Oilers Cup years were as much about Messier as they were about Gretzky. Messier's leadership abilities also shined during the 87 Canada Cup. Fast forward to his Cup win without Gretzky in Edmonton and Messier's captain's credentials were cemented by then. The Rangers story is common knowledge among those here since it took place within MSHers lifetimes. The recent Messier lovefest is just a payback, in a way, for a living legend.

You're right, however that isn't the way my comment was intended.

[LkptTiger 1]

Here is a suggestion; title a thread "Reasons I hate Crosby" and then he can just continually add to it as he deems necessary.

...and you can start your own "Sidney Makes My Loins Tingle" thread...

Look, nobody here is arguing that Crosby isn't one of the best in the game. He's a terrific talent and has had nothing but a positive effect on the NHL (as far as the fan-base is concerned). I find him to be very entertaining to watch, but he can be frustrating/infuriating, as well. He can be, at times, quite immature. I'm hoping that the diving and expectation of special treatment tapers-off as he gets older.

As frustrating as his complaining and flopping can be, the fans who blindly praise every single action the Kid makes, while dismissing those of us who might criticize some of his antics as being "Crosby Haters" are even moreso. I don't consider myself to be as much a "Crosby Hater" as much as I do a "critical fan."

[kosydar 0]

And no, he doesn't owe the game a thing. No player owes the game anything. Because in the end, the game will take more from you than you will give to the game.

I disagree. The game has already given him tons; millions of dollars, endorsement deals, international celebrity, pretty much anything he could want, all before the age of twenty. All he owes the game is to be a good steward, which hopefully will happen with time.

[DarkStar50 679]

Kosy

You say the game has "given" him these things. The difference is he has worked for everything he has been "given" by the game. The game gave him nothing he didn't work for. Everyone wants a 19 year old to act like a 29 year old. Give him time and it just may happen.

[LkptTiger 1]

My issue there is the fact that this particular 19 year old kid (well, I shouldn't say "kid" - he's older than myself) is about as close to "The Face of the Game" as there is today. He has to learn to dicipline himself so that he does not act in a way that compromises his position as such.

I'm pretty sure that's all anyone is trying to say.

[kosydar 0]

Kosy

You say the game has "given" him these things. The difference is he has worked for everything he has been "given" by the game. The game gave him nothing he didn't work for. Everyone wants a 19 year old to act like a 29 year old. Give him time and it just may happen.

Thats true. Its a mutual relationship, they both give each other what they need. Contrary to what many think I really want Sid to do well and become the face of the league. However, its still hard to like him after not only the media's dealings with him, but the fans who ride his nuts 24-7.

[hockeymom 2]

Actually, I think as a 19 yr old kid, he has done a pretty good job of handling himself in/with the media circus. He'll get better as he gets better at handling the rigors of celebrity.

And ever since Gretz, "they" have been searching for the next one. Promoting celebrity is supposed to be the "saving grace" of the NHL. Part of that plan to draw an elusive audience to the NHL.

I think that is why so many people have a hate-on for Sid... call it the "anti-celebrity" backlash.

LOL alhough I do remember there was a time when people criticised Gretz for "hiding" behind being a finese player and not taking the hits.

[LkptTiger 1]

I think that is why so many people have a hate-on for Sid... call it the "anti-celebrity" backlash.

Recent incident aside, I can't really remember LeBron James being hammered like this. The "anti-celebrity" sentiment isn't universal so much as it is selective (and usually justified).

[Chadd 916]

Actually, I think as a 19 yr old kid, he has done a pretty good job of handling himself in/with the media circus. He'll get better as he gets better at handling the rigors of celebrity.

And ever since Gretz, "they" have been searching for the next one. Promoting celebrity is supposed to be the "saving grace" of the NHL. Part of that plan to draw an elusive audience to the NHL.

I think that is why so many people have a hate-on for Sid... call it the "anti-celebrity" backlash.

LOL alhough I do remember there was a time when people criticised Gretz for "hiding" behind being a finese player and not taking the hits.

In all fairness I was expecting to like Crosby and dislike Ovechkin when they came into the league. After watching games; as well as their behavior, comments, etc.. I find that I respect Ovechkin a lot more.

[DarkStar50 679]

LOL alhough I do remember there was a time when people criticised Gretz for "hiding" behind being a finese player and not taking the hits.

In other words, history is repeating itself because that statement is 100% true. Gretzky was bashed his first couple of years in the league. He used to whine to the refs as much as Crosby does. Gretzky could not be complained about for diving though. Nobody ever got near him as weaved his way around the ice always skating against the grain pulling up at the top of the blueline or doing his spinnerama along the wall.