The Confluence
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I’ve figured it out: Crosby is toying with all of us
by Tony on 12/04/09 at 10:40 AM ET
Comments (40)
I’ve gotta be some sort of glutton for punishment.
But what the hell, I’m gonna write an opinion-based article on Sidney Crosby. On Kukla’s Korner. God help me.
What could go wrong ??
The doubters (read: haters) were having a field day. Crosby was going through a “record slump”. He hadn’t scored in five games. What a frickin’ bum.
One guy writes that Crosby is hurting the Penguins, mostly because of the penalties he was taking. Another guy wrote a while back that the Penguins should trade Crosby. Articles talking about how Crosby was frustrated.
Hey, even yours truly isn’t completely innocent in regards to giving Crosby constructive criticism. Back in my days at MVN, I wrote an article a couple of years ago during Crosby’s extreme pass-first days that basically said he was hurting the team because he was passing up so many good scoring chances (sorry, don’t have the link anymore).
Of course, never mind that a quarter of the Penguins’ starting lineup was injured, including Evgeni Malkin, as a result the Pens lose four straight. Never mind that Crosby, now in his 5th NHL season, still hasn’t been given that elusive “scoring winger”. Maybe if Bill Guerin was five years younger. Maybe if Marian Hossa would’ve stayed. Maybe if Ziggy Palffy would’ve stayed in the NHL. Maybe if Mario would’ve kept playing.
But just as soon as the “What’s wrong with Sidney Crosby ??” articles had reached their pinnacle, Crosby steps it up a notch. Or two.
After being somewhere around 25th in the NHL in scoring only a couple of weeks ago, don’t look now but Crosby is now 3rd with 36 points, four behind Joe Thornton.
But Crosby generating points isn’t exactly a new concept, he did win the Art Ross a couple of years ago, if you remember. The stat that’s generating the pleasant surprises around the Penguins blogosphere is the goals. Crosby has 19 goals already, on pace for near 50 this season.
It’s difficult to put your finger on the reasoning behind the increased goal totals for Crosby. Many say it’s the new one-piece stick that he uses, some say he generates a harder shot with it. Some say it was the talk that HCDB had with him going into the season to shoot more. It could very well be a combination of those two, who knows, really.
But I have a half-assed theory (bear with me): To make an NBA reference, in my opinion, Kobe Bryant has the ability to flick the switch and turn it on whenever he wants to. And to a certain extent, Crosby has that ability. It rarely fails, when the Pens are on the road, and the crowd starts their “Crosby sucks” chants, he shuts them up. [ By the way, don’t you think by now those fans would realize those chants simply energizes him more ?? ] When the MSM and blogs fire up the criticism, he shuts them up.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Crosby sits in the bowels of the Igloo with his teammates and chuckles his buttocks off reading his critics. And it won’t stop, it’s the nature of fandom. The complaints of whining and diving will continue, no matter how much those claims are wildly over-exaggerated.
And you know what ?? Let them continue to spew their hatred. As we’ve found out in the last few weeks, it only makes him stronger.
Filed in: | The Confluence | Permalink
Tags: NHL-Hockey, Pittsburgh+Penguins,
Comments
For the record, Tony, none of us at A2Y have ever doubted Rosby’s ability. We’ve consistently acknowledged that he’s a great hockey player. And, right now, he’s playing better than anyone in the NHL.
What we have claimed, just to be accurate, is that he’s a garbage captain and that Gary Bettman has a back tattoo of 87 raising the Cup.
Just wanted to be sure we’re all on the same page.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 12/04/09 at 10:56 AM ET
and that Gary Bettman has a back tattoo of 87 raising the Cup.
Yeah, but does he have a hairy back ?? I just couldn’t take that…
Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 12/04/09 at 10:59 AM ET
Great post, should be an annual repost.
Chief, I think we are all clear. Keep spewing if it makes you feel better. Just wondering how long will it be till Shanny becomes part of the Crosby-Bettman tin-foil theories. How many more Tuesday are left?
Posted by puckeye on 12/04/09 at 11:06 AM ET
IWocpo - didn’t your “uncle Mike” commend Crosby on his leadership though? I’ve seen all the jokes about his captaincy and how he’s done nothing without Malkin, but I’ve never seen any valid reasons why he’s a “garbage captain” from any of you guys…
Posted by Greg on 12/04/09 at 11:07 AM ET
Puckeye: it does make me feel better. The truth, as has been stated many times throughout history, continues to set me free.
Tuesdays until you understand how to use a hyphen? Probably just over 19,000. Until the Wings re-claim the Cup they lost due to injuries and terrible officiating? Around 27.
Yes Greg. He did. My Uncle Mike (thanks for reading A2Y…we appreciate your support, and believe me I know it’s consistent) complimented Gary’s Baby Boy on his leadership. It was heartfelt and I’m still a little choked up about it. Oh, and by the way, since you like to quote from A2Y…you ought to go back and look how many times we’ve told Mike to keep lying to us. We dig it. Makes us feel dirty sometimes, but we understand the reasoning.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 12/04/09 at 11:16 AM ET
How is Howard treating you? Maybe the super duper great defensive player of the century can play goal too!
Bad news for wing fans, with chicago’s lineup, detroit has a lot more than 27 tuesdays.
Posted by Gretzky_to_Lemieux on 12/04/09 at 11:27 AM ET
...garbage captain…
because he’s leading a hockey team, not a diving team. One reason the Wings fans might be more critical is they had 20+ years of Yzerman’s leadership. 19’s nickname around the league is “The Captain.” 87 gets called Rosby and Crysby. He has gotten better (especially this year), but he started his career as a whiney bitch.
Posted by redxblack from Akron Ohio on 12/04/09 at 11:28 AM ET
He’s lying to you? You lost me…
i do read it, I’m a hockey fan, and since this is a hockey site .......... same as you reading and commenting on every article regarding Crosby.
Posted by Greg on 12/04/09 at 11:29 AM ET
Don’t you mean Tues-days, Chief?
Sid is playing out of his mind right now.
That GWG? They don’t score on that play if Sid only has 5 goals and isn’t taking slappers from that spot on the PP all year.
Budaj cheats to Sid, Sid sees him get all wobbly legged, slap-passes to Billy…wide open net.
Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 12/04/09 at 11:30 AM ET
“19’s nickname around the league is “The Captain.” 87 gets called Rosby and Crysby” are you implying that NHL Playes in the league call Sidney Rosby, and Crysby? or is that just your guys book club when you all get together and talk about how good the days were when the wings were relevant? I think he’s taken one diving penalty in 5 yrs, and I would guarantee that for 99% of all penalties called, the player complains. Guys even complain when the puck is cleared over the boards…
Posted by Greg on 12/04/09 at 11:38 AM ET
because Denny LaRue didn’t call a dive doesn’t mean one didn’t occur.
On-ice microphones and HD lip reading allows fans to see and hear what other players call Crosby. Since children read this site, I won’t repeat what they said.
Posted by redxblack from Akron Ohio on 12/04/09 at 11:45 AM ET
And no, I wasn’t intentionally implying that pens fans are children.
Posted by redxblack from Akron Ohio on 12/04/09 at 11:46 AM ET
redxblack - you’re right, i’m sure you see a lot of things we don’t. Considering Crosby has one a Lester b Pearson award more recently than any other Red Wing, what does that say about how his peers see him? or how they see the wings players?
But hey, i know you guys dont have a lot going for yourselves right now, so whatever helps you sleep at night.
Posted by Greg on 12/04/09 at 11:48 AM ET
meant to say he ‘won’ not ‘one’...my bad. i didnt think about you implying pens fans as children, but maybe you are a better man then me, i would have maybe left it open…
back to work. Nothing personal i hope redxblack!
Posted by Greg on 12/04/09 at 11:50 AM ET
Jeez Greg. You make it pretty easy on us.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?page=0809playersurvey
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 12/04/09 at 11:50 AM ET
If you want to dust trophies off, you don’t really want to call out the Red Wings. Even if you discount everything before 1967, they still have piles of individual and team awards. Norris trophies, Lady Bings, Conn Smythes… The only one that’s not continually up for grabs is the Rocket Richard trophy, and that’s because the wings rarely have one guy do the majority of their scoring.
They’re having a tough year so far - as Pittsburgh had last year. I seem to recall you guys squeaking out a thin victory that went to the final seconds of the last game of the SCF.
Posted by redxblack from Akron Ohio on 12/04/09 at 11:55 AM ET
There was a time during the worst injury period where I thought that Crosby could have led even more by example. Probably unfair given the effort by other players, and this isn’t a one man sport. Lately, he’s been dominant in every facet of the game and clearly leading by example. The ability to turn the effort up a notch at will is certainly in the repertoire. There might also be a health issue to the improvement, because the skating and physicality have looked a lot better. The sniping ability was alluded to during the playoffs, though not to this extent. Keeping pace with Heatley is impressive.
I don’t understand the “garbage captain” debate. Just look at the current lack of form in Detroit. You wouldn’t know who the captain was if he didn’t have a “C” on his jersey. It’s easy to be captain when you’re winning. Less so when you have to turn things around. The ineffable approach to leadership has an expiration date, usually the time when problems appear.
Either way, I think Crosby still have a few things to learn, but I can’t think of a lot of superior captains in the league.
Posted by Moq from Denmark on 12/04/09 at 12:21 PM ET
Get off your knees Tony and please wipe your chin. I will never deny that Sid is super talented, doesn’t change the fact that he is a little crybaby b!tch.
Posted by yreland from Van Dieman's Land on 12/04/09 at 12:41 PM ET
You know, discussion is fine, attacks on people are not.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 12/04/09 at 12:43 PM ET
I don’t think anyone can question how talented Crybaby is but there is no way you can tell me he doesn’t dive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob7kXHhj8eM&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxQzDQ4BC94&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sboI7oS9iZg&feature=player_embedded
Posted by YYZerman from Detroit, Michigan on 12/04/09 at 01:02 PM ET
What’s the rule now?
If Crosby gets looked at funny or breathed on the other team is on a PK?
At least he’s not hitting guys in the junk anymore.
Posted by AvsRock from My timeshare in insanity... on 12/04/09 at 01:19 PM ET
Really? I didn’t notice…
Posted by Thag from DC on 12/04/09 at 01:30 PM ET
I’ve seen that story, and youre right, 52% did say he whined the most. It still doesn’t take away from the fact that they also voted him for the Lester B Pearson. which “is awarded annually to the National Hockey League’s most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the NHL Players Association.”
Posted by Greg on 12/04/09 at 01:51 PM ET
I’m always relieved when I notice that Crosby critics aren’t grasping at straws. It restores my faith in humanity.
Posted by Moq from Denmark on 12/04/09 at 01:52 PM ET
Really Paul, if you want to up your ad revenues just throw up a piece about Crosby every single day.
Guaranteed 50+ comments every time.
People hate Crosby for many different reasons.
Some hate him because he’s a “whiner” who complains to the refs (first two years in the league were admittedly painful to watch sometimes, but that’s disappeared). Others say he’s a diver (hasn’t really been much of a diver the past two seasons). Others criticize his leadership (youngest captain to win a Cup in the history of the NHL lacks leadership?!?).
But the one that they all share is that they simply hate him because he’s not on their team.
Posted by HNBCTB on 12/04/09 at 02:27 PM ET
Actually HNBCTB, if I wanted more ‘hits’, I would just post fake rumors I made up and besides, this post belongs to Tony of The Confuence.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 12/04/09 at 02:33 PM ET
I love how the Cheif comes over hear to talk smack on Crosby, but the 19 get all uptight when Pens fans enter A2Y. Everytime I have read a post on there, you get the same old we don’t come on to your blogs and talk about your teams. IWO and JJ from kansas are regulars on just about every Pens site. Jokes. For thinking the Wangs are so great and got the cup stolen from them you guys spend a lot of time worrying about the Pens….don’t ya???
Posted by CAL from the Burgh on 12/04/09 at 02:44 PM ET
Actually HNBCTB, if I wanted more ‘hits’, I would just post fake rumors I made up and besides, this post belongs to Tony of The Confuence.
I wasn’t trying to be a jerk, just joking a little about the fact that the subject leads to lots of traffic.
I like the blog the way it is, drama-free except for the game day live blogs.
Posted by HNBCTB on 12/04/09 at 02:54 PM ET
I think I can speak for Paul, the hits are fine and dandy, but the discussion it generates, especially if other hockey sites link to it, is off the charts….
Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 12/04/09 at 02:56 PM ET
HNBCTB, did not think you were a jerk with the comment. Just wanted to point out collecting hits is easy to do once you build up a site, but we don’t take that route.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 12/04/09 at 02:57 PM ET
Tony, Tony, Tony- you done it again!
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 12/04/09 at 03:00 PM ET
I don’t think anyone can question how talented Crybaby is but there is no way you can tell me he doesn’t dive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob7kXHhj8eM&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxQzDQ4BC94&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sboI7oS9iZg&feature=player_embedded
That first one’s bad, but the second one was a spear to the kidneys. How’s he supposed to react?
Posted by steve on 12/04/09 at 03:53 PM ET
How’s he supposed to react?
Like nothing happened to him, obviously.
I mean, no one else in the history of hockey has ever drawn a penalty by doing something like that.
Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 12/04/09 at 04:18 PM ET
That first one’s bad, but the second one was a spear to the kidneys. How’s he supposed to react?
Posted by steve on 12/04/09 at 03:53 PM ET
Posted by YYZerman from Detroit, Michigan on 12/04/09 at 07:35 PM ET
That first one’s bad, but the second one was a spear to the kidneys. How’s he supposed to react?
Not like he just got sniped from a bell tower. It’s amazing that it hurt so much he was right out there on the next face off to play on the PP
How’s he supposed to react?
Like nothing happened to him, obviously.
I mean, no one else in the history of hockey has ever drawn a penalty by doing something like that.
My ear!
You’ll notice Franzen didn’t drop to the ice and start crying after he got his face slamed into the boards.
Posted by YYZerman from Detroit, Michigan on 12/04/09 at 07:40 PM ET
I’ll admit some (but not most) of the ones in the second video are really bad, but those are from 3-4 seasons ago…you’ve got to let those go already, it’s just crap that Ken Hitchcock stirred up a long time ago.
And the first video seems like a dive, but I vividly remember Sid missing at least two shifts after that happened. Anyone who knows the type of competitor Sid is knows that something must of been wrong for him to miss any shifts, especially in the Stanley Cup Final (even if the Pens were up by two).
To be honest, I can’t remember a time, in the past two seasons and this one, that I’ve seen Crosby take a dive.
This quote says it all about Crosby’s leadership:“Sid is playing very well now. I hope he wins the scoring title. I’m enjoying playing with him and seeing his leadership. We will follow him.” -Evgeni Malkin
Posted by Allie on 12/05/09 at 01:13 AM ET
IWO and JJ from kansas are regulars on just about every Pens site.
Really? Can you link to some evidence of that? I’d love to see what I’m saying because I don’t remember being a “regular” on any site but my own…and a few of the 19 would argue even with that.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 12/05/09 at 04:12 AM ET
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I can’t believe that moron actually had the balls to write a post stating that the Pens should trade Crosby for Brown, Frolov and Johnson. Seriously? Frolov, a career under-achiever, Brown a very good but inconsistent (in terms of scoring) winger and Johnson an extremely over-rated defensemen cut from the same mold that the Pens already have in spades (Gogo, Letang, Gonchar). Insanity.
Posted by Atheris from IL on 12/04/09 at 10:53 AM ET