Honest question have you ever heard any of his teammates make a comment about his character?
- dbell646

Honest question ... would you think someone like Ladd, or Wheeler, or Bogosian would comment on his character if it was indeed bad? I don't see anyone coming out and saying all these reports are wrong. If they were wrong, I would think someone would. Crickets from his teammates.

Whats your point?? The best two way players in the NHL is probably Jonathon Towes and then Kopitar. Kopitar plays in a defense first system cutting down his goals scored.
- arh777

Desperation is a stinky cologne.

Anybody can make blind claims on players usage. Good thing they have these charts.

Whats your point?? The best two way players in the NHL is probably Jonathon Towes and then Kopitar. Kopitar plays in a defense first system cutting down his goals scored.
- arh777

Before every game I guarantee the opposing teams are drawing up strategies for dealing with Crosby. Whole game strategies have been written to counter Crosby.
Teams do not do that for Kopitar.

Why? He's late to practice once? He took a picture using money as a phone? Unless he's doing heroin I dont care.

All I care about is he would play his heart out in a playoff series and be a 40 goal scorer here. Plus provide protection for Sid.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I'm pretty sure its more than that. Do you think this is truly only about being late once to practice or taking that picture? I have to laugh at people who think this is the reason for the uproar.

So, you only care about play with heart on the ice and be a 40-goal goal scorer? That is like NE fan just hoping Aaron Hernandez catches passes from Tom Brady and plays with heart. I'm not putting Kane in Hernandez grouping at all, but dismissing obvious issues ... there seems to be a problem with many here.

Whats your point?? The best two way players in the NHL is probably Jonathon Towes and then Kopitar. Kopitar plays in a defense first system cutting down his goals scored.
- arh777

We get it, Crosby and Malkin both suck. Now, go home.

As long as it doesn't after the on ice play it's all good.
- Orpik44

Just what some Patriot fans said about a former tight end. Dismissing the issues is a joke. As long as he performs on the ice, he can act like an ass off and its alright?

Before every game I guarantee the opposing teams are drawing up strategies for dealing with Crosby. Whole game strategies have been written to counter Crosby.
Teams do not do that for Kopitar.
- stackthepads

You should mention Malkin on that "drawing strategy" thing.

I never mentioned Malkin's or Crosby's playoff numbers. That would be too harsh for the LA guy. I can give LA advantage as a team (better constructed). Period.

Has Kopitar won more cups? Yes. Is Crosby a better player? Yes. Has Kopitar dominated the NHL to same level as Crosby....no.

The only unfortunate part is that Edmonton is not interested in our most expendable asset in Martin. We couldn't get Eberle without clearing significant cap space, aka Martin. Yaks is the one we could afford easy.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

No, Edmonton would still want a high return for Yak. Don't fool yourself. You would be giving up Pouliot, a first and something else (roster player making more than 3 million) for starters to get him. They still think he is that stud player they drafted two years ago and feel even though he has underachieved, you have to pay 1.75 on the 1.00 to get him. Not worth it.

I'm pretty sure its more than that. Do you think this is truly only about being late once to practice or taking that picture? I have to laugh at people who think this is the reason for the uproar.

So, you only care about play with heart on the ice and be a 40-goal goal scorer? That is like NE fan just hoping Aaron Hernandez catches passes from Tom Brady and plays with heart. I'm not putting Kane in Hernandez grouping at all, but dismissing obvious issues ... there seems to be a problem with many here.
- Oneonta Penguin

Two other players with character issues

Patrick Kane
Tyler Seguin

I would take either. Evander Kane would be huge for our top six, he brings speed and grit on a big body who can score 30 in Winnipeg. He is exactly what we need.

Two other players with character issues

Patrick Kane
Tyler Seguin

I would take either. Evander Kane would be huge for our top six, he brings speed and grit on a big body who can score 30 in Winnipeg. He is exactly what we need.
- stackthepads

Damn right he is. Wouldn't pass up a chance to add him to our roster.

That said, Sutter/Bennett would have to go the other way, for starters.

Damn right he is. Wouldn't pass up a chance to add him to our roster.

That said, Sutter/Bennett would have to go the other way, for starters.
- Orpik44

Sutter/Bennett, Pouliot (or whichever prospect they want) and a first.
Id do it in a heartbeat

Before every game I guarantee the opposing teams are drawing up strategies for dealing with Crosby. Whole game strategies have been written to counter Crosby.
Teams do not do that for Kopitar.
- stackthepads

No, Kopitar is shutting down great players like Crosby!!that's why he's one of the best two way players in the NHL.

Desperation is a stinky cologne.

Anybody can make blind claims on players usage. Good thing they have these charts.


- Ryan_Wilson

Not blind claims at all! If you go back I have said Crosby is a sick player. I've just commented that I would prefer Kopitar to build a team. If you guys are too sensitive to handle that then I'm sorry.

Just what some Patriot fans said about a former tight end. Dismissing the issues is a joke. As long as he performs on the ice, he can act like an ass off and its alright?
- Oneonta Penguin

Acting like an ass is not murder. Please stop.

2 Art Ross, 2 Hart, 3 Lindsay, 1 Rocket Richard, 2 Gold medals, and 1 cup, and you want him to prove himself?
- cap1681

If he doesnt get a puck in the jaw last year its 3 Art Ross, 3 Hart....

Sutter/Bennett, Pouliot (or whichever prospect they want) and a first.
Id do it in a heartbeat
- stackthepads

Make it Sutter and it's like we traded Jordan staal for Kane haha. (1st rounder much further back though)

Not blind claims at all! If you go back I have said Crosby is a sick player. I've just commented that I would prefer Kopitar to build a team. If you guys are too sensitive to handle that then I'm sorry.
- arh777

Great. Now you can go back to the LA boards.

Damn right he is. Wouldn't pass up a chance to add him to our roster.

That said, Sutter/Bennett would have to go the other way, for starters.
- Orpik44

Like I said before, I have some serious reservations about sending Bennett and would try my damnedest to put together a package that didn't include any top 6 caliber players. That being said, we can't sell the farm or have zero first rounders for the next five years, so yes Bennett probably has to be there for Win to even consider the offer, and you know what, I'd still take the deal seven every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Unfortunately, if Kane becomes available, every team in the league will inquire and there are probably plenty of teams that can put together a better package than we can, so this dream remains firmly in the pipe.

No, Kopitar is shutting down great players like Crosby!!that's why he's one of the best two way players in the NHL.
- arh777

You keep saying this without understanding; all last season Crosby was matched up again the other teams top centers. Whether it be Bergeron, Toews, Backstrom, Kopitar, or Giroux and he still had the puck 60% of the time and put up 104 points. It's not that he had to shut down other players, or even compete with them. They had to fight to even get the puck never mind shut Crosby down.

It's one thing to be the best player in the NHL. It's another to be the best two way player. Which even though you claim that, I think that Toews and Bergeron might have a stake in the argument.

Ryan should write a blog today on how the Pens should lead the league in fighting majors this season and play PL3 on the fourth line.

Honest question ... would you think someone like Ladd, or Wheeler, or Bogosian would comment on his character if it was indeed bad? I don't see anyone coming out and saying all these reports are wrong. If they were wrong, I would think someone would. Crickets from his teammates.
- Oneonta Penguin

Admittedly I haven't watched him play a ton but what I have seen is undeniable he plays with tremendous speed and I see him stick his nose in there for his teammates. Kids 22 so giving up prospects to get him is a wash. We will never see eye to eye on this but I think it's irrelevant because players like him don't get traded often.

Ryan should write a blog today on how the Pens should lead the league in fighting majors this season and play PL3 on the fourth line.
- Grinder47

Ryan should right a blog about the post surgery/rehab of crosbys wrist today and how it will impact the season. 3 days with 3 Crosby blogs the trolls will lose their marbles.

Ryan should right a blog about the post surgery/rehab of crosbys wrist today and how it will impact the season. 3 days with 3 Crosby blogs the trolls will lose their marbles.

- Reverend Killtaker

Ryan should write a blog about Crosby 6 days per week, about the greatness Brandon Sutter, clutch performer, on the 7th day, and then go back to Crosby for another. 6 days. Rinse, wash repeat, until the season starts. The trolls will be so over red that they will literally explode before camp even starts, and Bartley will be speaking in tongues.

Whats your point?? The best two way players in the NHL is probably Jonathon Towes and then Kopitar. Kopitar plays in a defense first system cutting down his goals scored.
- arh777

I can tell you are new at this. Most trolls in the formative stages of their trolling careers just like to spout meaningless hyperbolelike:

"ANZE Kopitar is a better 2 way player thank Crosby!"
You might as well be saying things like
""Canadian bacon is better than real bacon!"
"British food is the best food in the world!"
"German is a beautiful language!!!"
"I like turtles!!!!"
Ok the last one might be true, for all I know.

Spouting hyperbole allows well developed human beings to simply destroy you with facts, and be snide and smug while doing so.

Observe.

So Kopitar, the "superior 2 way player", playing in a defense first system has a worse +/- than Malkin, and isn't even close to Crosby, while not matching their production either. Where is this evidence of his superior 2 way play? Kopitar is a product of Sutters life sucking, soul draining, but effective, defensive system.

The point my friend, it's that anyone can spout whatever hyperbole they want, but unless you can back it up with actual facts, it carries no weight. The Kings are a team built for the playoffs, around a strict defensive system and the best goalie in the league. Stick to crowing about that, and you will be fine. So stick to trolling Sharks and Ducks fans. You don't have what it takes to troll the big leagues.

As they say in Hollywood: "don't call us, we'll call you"