Crosby....overrated?

[kosydar 0]

I wonder how differently Crosby would have done this year had he played in the WHL, a much more physical league.

[Eazy_b97 1]

The Q is kind've a weird league, it's not as soft as people like to think. I think the WHL is an extremely rough league and it's more of a grind system, where the Q is free flowing, but alot of fighters come from the Q. It seems like you're either a sniper or a fighter, but often you'll have to do both. You look at a guy like Lecavalier, not alot of people would expect him to fight because he came from the Q, but he had to learn to hold his own. I imagine everywhere he goes he'll be protected beyond belief. Doesn't the WHL have their own 16 year old phenom as well? Just not as hyped or flashy as Crosby?

[Chadd 916]

HockeyDB has him listed at 5-10 and 175, he sounds pretty filled out for his height. He's going to need to grow a bit.

As for the fact he plays in the Q, when was the last time a defenseman from thr Q made the world junior team? Then again, that's where the best goaltending prospects have been comming from.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I think he beefed up a bit this year to be honest, I heard he's been working with Rob Blake's trainer (forgot his name). He'll be in good shape no doubt and he isn't tiny, but I'd think he's missing what I like to refer to as "man strength" where he should have that playing at a high calibre level by the time he's 18, 19. There isn't a right or wrong answer because nobody knows how far along he is in his physical maturity.

[GeeZa32 0]

Doesn't the WHL have their own 16 year old phenom as well? Just not as hyped or flashy as Crosby?

Indeed. Gilbert Brule.

[Pats 0]

Doesn't the WHL have their own 16 year old phenom as well? Just not as hyped or flashy as Crosby?

Indeed. Gilbert Brule.

Many are considering him second to Crosby in next years draft.

[kosydar 0]

Interesting. I just H DB'd Brule, 67 games, 25 goals 60 points. 100 PIMs though, and hes listed at 5'11" 180, so he isn't much bigger than Cros.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I'm hoping they both play at the QJC and are able to play signifacnt roles just so I can see them. I hate this all drafted players BS, Crosby made it this year, but didn't play alot. I hated Spezza when he played. It's always good to see the top rated players at the upcoming draft at the WJC.

[GeeZa32 0]

Interesting. I just H DB'd Brule, 67 games, 25 goals 60 points. 100 PIMs though, and hes listed at 5'11" 180, so he isn't much bigger than Cros.

Stats. Dont. Tell. The. Story.

A. He's more like 6'1 200.

B. He's considered to be more of a "leader" type of player. A "definite future captain".

C. He's grittier than Crosby.He also had less seasoning the year before entering the WHL.

[all-star 0]

I think its like lynch or sumthing from the vancouver area. yeah hes got a pretty big hype as well. not like crosby though. i dont think theres too much hype about crosby. maybe washinton will get the first pick again. him and ovechkin, the next duo? hah. anyways i was wondering. if theres a lock out? how does the draft work?

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

I think Crosby has not enough skills and size to be a superstar in the NHL. I'm not the kind of person who evaluate a player with his stats but more with his skills. There is easily 100 players in the NHL that have more overall skills than Crosby from my point of view.

[Cavs019 710]

there is easily 100 players, but Crosby is not even close to realizing his full potential. And how many times do we have to explain that the quality of the player isnt determined by how many players he can fake out before turning the puck over.

[lee92 2]

i hope atlanta gets first pick next yr...imagine crosby playing with heatley and kovalchuk!

it'd be like when gretzky started out and was playing with greats like messier, kurri, and coffey

[Cavs019 710]

Atlanta wont be a lottery team next year, I think they have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs.

Theo, i probably used the wrong word, he hasn't fully matured yet as a player, and becoming accustomed to the NHL game causes that change.

[lee92 2]

yea, i know atlantas probly got a good shot for the playoffs...whatd be even sweeter would be if a top team traded up for the #1 pick and took him. detroits gonna be needing someone to build their team upon when shanny, hull, lang, and yzerman all leave

[kosydar 0]

I think its like lynch or sumthing from the vancouver area. yeah hes got a pretty big hype as well. not like crosby though. i dont think theres too much hype about crosby. maybe washinton will get the first pick again. him and ovechkin, the next duo? hah. anyways i was wondering. if theres a lock out? how does the draft work?

You know, if there is a season long lock out, I read that for the draft they'd just have the same draft order.

[D3nZ 0]

I woudn't be surprised if Leonis keeps Ovechkin in Russia (especially with the problem that they could have with russian players comming to play in North America) next year with the Dynamo to have a good shot at getting the 2005 1st draft and Crosby. With the sale that they had last year, he doesn't seem to care about the curent team, he is looking at a long term project with good prospects like the Rangers are also doing.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I see no reason to bring Overchkin over other than ticket sales. If they could bring back Bondra I'd leave him there for sure. They need somebody to draw fans, but if you aren't going to make a splash in the playoffs why not load up on talented younsters? I'd like to see Atlanta get him as well because he could do some damage and I'm not sure how far Atlanta would do if they were able to make the playoffs.

[GeeZa32 0]

I woudn't be surprised if Leonis keeps Ovechkin in Russia (especially with the problem that they could have with russian players comming to play in North America) next year with the Dynamo to have a good shot at getting the 2005 1st draft and Crosby.  With the sale that they had last year, he doesn't seem to care about the curent team, he is looking at a long term project with good prospects like the Rangers are also doing.

An even better reason, is Ovechkin still has a year left on his contract with Dynamo and if he plays his contract out, the Caps will not have to pay the $2 million transfer fee to the RSL and multi-million transer fee to Dynamo.

Teddy's problem is...until last year, he knew nothing about hockey. Like at all. He knew Jagr was good and gave George the go-ahead to get him. Ted did not even know the names of the role players on his team 3-4 years ago. He's starting to get a better grasp for how the league is run and money doesnt win championships.

[Chadd 916]

From a number of the reports I've read Ovechkin isn't free to leave after next season. Dynamo supposedly owns his rights for 6-7 more years.

[duckjob 1]

From a number of the reports I've read Ovechkin isn't free to leave after next season. Dynamo supposedly owns his rights for 6-7 more years.

A few articles I read after the draft stated that Dynamo wanted 2 million dollars to release Ovechkin. I believe the agreement between the IIHF and the nhl regarding transfer fees is up now as well, and I believe the RSL wanted to have Individual teams to have negotiation rights as opposed to the standard 200,000 fee going to some government agency.

[GeeZa32 0]

From a number of the reports I've read Ovechkin isn't free to leave after next season. Dynamo supposedly owns his rights for 6-7 more years.

The only top prospect whos rights are owned for more than one year are Malkin. Radulov, Ovechkin and Lisin are amongst the better Russians and only have one year left on their contracts.Lisin MAY have two. Thats not saying Lisin and Radulov wont resign with Dynamo since they really arent in Phoenix and Nashville's plans any time soon. Dynamo also isnt a military run hockey school like Magnitorsk, SKA and CSKA so the players on Dynamo don't have commitments to the military as they would on other teams.

[D3nZ 0]

From a number of the reports I've read Ovechkin isn't free to leave after next season. Dynamo supposedly owns his rights for 6-7 more years.

Like the Red Army owned the rights to Zherdev and he left becauce he wanted too.

[Chadd 916]

I was told that just because his contract is due to expire does not mean he is free to go where he wants. Much like restricted free agency in the NHL.

The Russian Ice Hockey Federation has indicated it might challenge the move in court should someone attempt to sign Ovechkin without compensation, either to the Russian Ice Hockey Federation or Dynamo. They may or may not win, but they could perhaps delay his transfer for anywhere from months to years.

[Chadd 916]

From a number of the reports I've read Ovechkin isn't free to leave after next season. Dynamo supposedly owns his rights for 6-7 more years.

Like the Red Army owned the rights to Zherdev and he left becauce he wanted too.

Actually, Zherdev was a unique situation, as all of them really are. Columbus paid all applicable transfer fees and all of teh paperwork was completed, when suddenly it was decided he needed to serve in the millitary. Since there was no proof that he was inducted as a soldier prior to his leaving and the fact he had played for over a full year for the team, it was determined that he was within his rights to leave.

The key is that the Blue Jackets paid all of the transfer fees and completed the paperwork.