EHM The Blue Line

A year and a half or so in, if you had to choose one or the othere who would you take? (Note I exclude Malkin here because it's his first year and people have more to judge between these two)

So what do you think? Who did you choose? And most importantly... why?

I'll go with Ovechkin. Although Crosby is probably more recognizable for the NHL and probably better to get fans interest because he was deemed "the next gretzky", I still think Ovechkin is a better overall player, and more dominant.

Look at what Ovechkin is doing by himself pretty much. I think Crosby probably had better players around him than Ovechkin did.

I've gone with Ovechkin as well, mainly because he's one of these 'run through a wall' guys that just loves the hell out of the game. I actually thought of officially posting the question watching him in tonight's game (before my Bears took the field for Monday Night Football) because of a few things I saw that are indicative of the things he does game in and game out.

They once show him on the bnech cheering for the third liners getting a goal like they just won the Cup, he was cheering and smiling and pumping up the bench celebrating. I just love his overwhelmeing sense of just loving the hell out of this game

The second was a play with him at the net where he just blasted a defender to the ground while going for the puck which then ended up as a tap-in at the other side of the net.

So, while from a marketing/sensational play angle I guess Crosby has more 'Star Quality' I'd rather have Ovechkin on my team. I think they are equally skilled but Crosby is more 'slick' and I appreciate that Ovechkin is so skilled and still plays so hard every time I see him.

His effect on a team is more than Crosby's I think because every player can go out and try to play hard every play and be a good team guy no matter his role or skill level. One in a hundred (or less) have Crosby's innate skills so really players trying to do what he does will only get them in trouble because they don't have the skill to pull off the crazy plays Crosby can make look easy.

Hell yeah I'd love to have both of them!! But if I were to start with one or the other I take Ovechkin.

Ovechkin--Basically because he appears to care more about how his team does. As Minty said he runs through walls for his team. Does whatever it takes to win. Sid is pretty, and can play, but Alex is pretty and gritty. I guess Sid has some grit too, but just not on the same level.

The key to me is Alex turns down a letter on his jersey at age 20, because he does not feel ready for it as he feels he does not speak English well enough (plus other reasons I am sure). Sid takes it at 19. Not really a big deal at first glance, but it shows who has less of a "me first" attitude, and who feels he has to be in the spotlight all the time. darn, weird to say that about a Russian over a Canadian, especially one who wears a tinted visor and gestures at crowds.

Ovechkin, for the reasons already mentioned. That kid-like enthusiasm in a big guy with world-class talent is just too much to pass up. The only downside is that we don't know how his body will hold up in the long term.

Ya Ovechkin passion for the game is incredible, thats one thing I always notice is that hes always smiling

Joe wrote:I think Crosby probably had better players around him than Ovechkin did.

Yeah, but does it really matter when those players are slumping and not playing at their best?

batdad wrote:The key to me is Alex turns down a letter on his jersey at age 20, because he does not feel ready for it as he feels he does not speak English well enough (plus other reasons I am sure). Sid takes it at 19. Not really a big deal at first glance, but it shows who has less of a "me first" attitude, and who feels he has to be in the spotlight all the time. darn, weird to say that about a Russian over a Canadian, especially one who wears a tinted visor and gestures at crowds.

Reporter: Who's your favorite player?
Ovechkin: Me.

Reporter: Who do you like to watch on Sports Centre?
Ovechkin: Me.

Ovechkin is less egoistic? Yeah right. I thought is was only the C Ovechkin turned down? Or did he have problems wearing the A too?

You're assuming he was 100% serious?

Kekkonen wrote:You're assuming he was 100% serious?

Of course. Come on, look at Ovechkin. He's got that visor, he throws himself into the glass after scoring a goal.

I assume Crosby took the A because he felt responsibility towards the franchise. Ovechkin wants none of that rubbish. He just wants to score goals.

Ovechkin is willing to give everything he has for the team, and has a great personality. I'd much rather build a team around him, then someone who complains after every call that doesn't go his way coughCriesbycough.

I really love Ovechkin for all the positive things already mentionned, but i'll go for Crosby. I prefer watching Ovechkin's games, but i'd go for Crosby.

Why?

Because this guy has a terrific pressure on his shoulders at only age 18! Being compared to The Great One, expected to have at least a 80+ points in his rookie season before he played a single NHL game... At only 18yo, it's a lot of pressure, and it can just 'kill' a player. But Sid took the pressure, posted a 102 points rookie season, became the main star of the team, didn't fall down after Lemieux retired, and never had a game out.

That mental solidity, is an incredible bonus for a team when it comes to real stuff (aka playoffs or SC Finals). Of course, he didn't make the playoffs with the Pens last year (neither Ovechkin with the Caps) but i'm pretty sure he will handle the pressure of the playoffs and certainly get better when it comes to those real fights. Ovechkin will handle it too, but maybe not as strongly...

That's why i'd prefer to build my team around Crosby rather than Ovechkin. But i won't complain to build it around Ovechkin!

Why is there no option for both?

inSTAALed wrote:Why is there no option for both?

Because of course we'd all love to have them both... The idea is if you were forced to only pick one or the other which would you go with and why?

I'd go for Crosby, I think he's more talented then Ovechkin. Wait before going all crazy! Crosby is 18 and Ovechkin 21, Ovechkin is not too far from reaching is potential while Crosby has still lot too learn. Now, do you really think in 5 years Ovechkin will still enjoy every single goals like he does right now? Ovechkin might be funnr to watch, but I think the one between those 2 that will end up with the most Stanley Cup rings is Crosby.

Habslife wrote:I'd go for Crosby, I think he's more talented then Ovechkin. Wait before going all crazy! Crosby is 18 and Ovechkin 21, Ovechkin is not too far from reaching is potential while Crosby has still lot too learn.

Then again, generally big guys take a little longer to develop than small/average-sized ones.

And Crosby is actually 19. Not that it matters much; I wouldn't put much stock in the age issue; for me, the main thing Crosby has going for himself is his playing style, which isn't as taxing on the body as Ovechkin's.

And yes, I too dislike Crosby's yapping. It makes him look like a whiny brat. And he's not above taking the occasional dive either. However, none of that really diminishes his value as a cornerstone of a franchise; it just makes him a little less likable in my eyes.

Um....watching him tonight...Can I change my vote? Holy rubbish, is 87 on fire. And I do not mean Brashear. 6 points. WITH 15 minutes left in the Philly game.

He did have a helluva game, no doubt It was however exactly as I'd said, he's more 'flashy' and 'polished' than Alex is. I'd still take Ovechkin if I had to choose just one though

It was fun to see the Canadian broadcast crew fawn all over their Golden Boy though, I'm glad that game was on TSN.

Drooling those TSN guys were. McGuire is brutal. How many times did he ask Miller if he thought Crosby was the best in the NHL now? Sheesh..shut up already. You could tell Miller was thinking the exact same thing, when he finally said "Sigh..Yes he is. I am just saying alot of Flames people will argue and argue well for Iginla". McGuire is such a dufus. He thinks if he yells things it makes things sound better. Um, no it just makes it obnoxious.

batdad wrote:Drooling those TSN guys were. McGuire is brutal. How many times did he ask Miller if he thought Crosby was the best in the NHL now? Sheesh..shut up already. You could tell Miller was thinking the exact same thing, when he finally said "Sigh..Yes he is. I am just saying alot of Flames people will argue and argue well for Iginla". McGuire is such a dufus. He thinks if he yells things it makes things sound better. Um, no it just makes it obnoxious.

This is one of the many reasons I bought the Centre Ice Package - so I wouldn't have to listen to Motor Mouth McGuire. God that man iritates me with his commentary.


As for the vote, I chose Crosby. I just think he's more of a complete package than Ovechkin. I don't think you could go wrong with either guy though, both would be an excellent choice to build a team around.

Of course, we'd all rather build our team around Rory Fitzpatrick, but if you have to limit your options to Ovechkin or Crosby, you can't really go wrong either way.

Well, I also go with Crosby!!!

Not only because hes the cousin of one of my buddies from Halifax, but also because I think hes tougher than a lot of people think!!!

I also agree with Shadd as Sid had tons of pressure on him before entering the NHL and everybody assuming he would dominate from day one.
Of course I would like both, but if I could choose I would go with Sidney!!!

BTW, I think the NHL can be really happy to have these two guys!!! They always remember me when Larry Bird and Magic Johnson entered the NBA in the 80ies and it was a big revolution for the NBA, going worldwide definitively!!
While the NHL is already a worldwide known league its not bad for them for their image, as it came down a bit because of the lock-out.

Did anyone catch when McGuire was bugging Recchi in the middle of the game about how good Crosby is vs Lemiuex, Francis, Coffey, Jagr etc? darn, the guys trying to play a game, he doesn't need your babbling in his ear for the minute or so he gets to rest.

I'd love to see McGuire take a puck to the yap while doing one of his "OMG they're so close to me I could touch them!!" commentary bits. It's embarrasing...

So after Ovechkin posts a hat trick nobody wants to change their votes from Crosby to Alex? You all are brainwashed by the hype machine I see...

Ah what the heck. Being a good Canadian boy. Must criticize Canadian boy and switch back to Ovechkin. Either that, or abstain.

Yes, Minty, but Crosby quietly put up 4 points last night to go along with Ovechkin's hat trick.