arh777. (Quotes not working)

I agree that Kopitar is a true leader and winner. In all actuality, he kinda reminds me of Malkin. Malkin, it seems, is taking this season by the nuts singlehandedly and dragging the rest of the Pens with him. When he speaks, which is not often, everyone listens. Crosby's always been "one if the guys" in the locker room. Malkin is too, but when it comes time to stand up and take action he does.

I'm a huge fan of those types of players. I feel Toews is surrounded by MANY leaders...Kieth, Seabrook, Hossa, etc. To me, I'd take a Kopitar, Malkin over either Crosby or Toews. They're both that good on and off of the ice. Elite offensive abilities with dynamic game changing attitudes. You want to win? I'd rather have it on either of those guys sticks at any point of any game.

PS. I'd throw Kane in that same category accept for the off ice idiocracy. Maybe Benn's there.

"Crosby has a cup and two gold medals, two Hart Trophies and 2 Art Ross Trophies. You're actinmg like he's won nothing."

I don't get why this debate keeps popping up about Toews/Crosby.. Why can't we all say that they are a couple of the best players in the league?

But please, let me know where I can buy a Sid Hart Trophy or a Sid Art Ross trophy Tshirt, and DAMN! I must have missed the parades for those
- Hossa1881

I agree. I'm tired of all of the comparisons. It's like trying to compare Lemieux to Yzerman (my personal favorite of all time). Lemieux is one of the top 2-3 offensive talents ever. However, Yzerman's dominant 2-way game began the Wings dynasty.

Crosby is (traditionally) the most gifted offensive player of our generation and a hell of a defensive center man too. Toews may be the most gifted defensive Center man of our generation and a hell of an offensive player. Both franchises have come from the bottom and morphed into amazing teams t watch. Holy shat! When you're supporting cast comprises of Malkin, Kessel, Letang, Staal for years, Kane, Kieth, Hossa, Sharp for years....you're a truly blessed hockey city.

Rather than argue over who's better....impossible to quantify by any stat. That includes offensive, defensive, cups, individual awards...they're just too close...we should both stop being but hurt over who's the better player.

And honestly, if I were to start a team now, regardless of age, I might start with Anze, Geno or Benn.

Im sure your neck would hurt too if you got cross checked on the neck.

Its not like dubinsky is a weak player, the guy is pretty strong and its still a cross check, theres a reason its called a penalty.
- SRam19

Also, Columbus fans shouldn't even be allowed to speak on these boards. There wasn't even such a thing as a Jacket fan until 5 years ago.

I went to a Convention for my job in 2010 in Columbus and an item being raffled were 2 Jackets Pens tickets of decent quality. I think they sold for about 35 a piece....

Crosby is clearly capable of once again being among the NHL elite when it comes to scoring...possession numbers etc.

His skillset is right there with the best of them and has not fallen off.

I see his problem being two-fold
1) he does not appear to be motivated
2) finding the right linemates for him is difficult

At times his drive appears to be...well less than what have come to expect from him. It might not be the whole reason for his scoring woes, but it certainly hasn't helped either.

What I think is most troubling about Crosby...and has been so for most of his NHL career...is that he does not always play well with others.

Perhaps this one thing is what makes him less like the best player in the world than people would like to think.

The best player I ever saw play was Mario Lemieux...in his prime...of course.

Granted...the game has changed and even a player like Lemieux in his prime might have trouble scoring in today's NHL...but the thing about Mario was that he could play with anybody...ANYBODY.

Mario would look at who he was with...and then figure out what to do.

I don't see that in Crosby.

I see that more in Malkin than I do in Crosby.

In my opinion, Crosby's most successful scoring period in the NHL has come largely at a time when he played with guys that figured out how to play with him...and not the other way around.

I think the perfect winger for Crosby was Marian Hossa. A smart 200 foot player that figured out how to play with other players. Of course, Hossa wasn't here long...and is not longer the same player he was back then...but I think he would have been the best fit for Crosby.

So I think now the real question is...does Crosby need to change...or are there guys on the team that can figure out how to play with him? Can they get a 2015 version of Marian Hossa (2008) from anyone?

Kunitz and Dupuis figured out how to play with Sid...but both are out of their prime and the likelyhood of finding the kind of success they have in the past seems small.

When I look at the Penguin's line-up...I just don't see the guys that can get it done with Sid.

Maybe he needs to change his game.

I know one thing for sure...he doesn't shoot enough...and usually that's a sign of a player that is not confident in his ability to score (granted, he has probably always deferred to passing more in his NHL career...but still).
- icedog97

Dupuis was Hossa light for years. 200 foot player with Speed. Sid was also successful with Billy G. He was a guy who knew how to pass and get up ice to trail Crosby. Basically, it was get Crosby puck, bust his ass to catch up, be the late man, and finish from high or trailing. At that time Kunitz was the crasher.

Can Plots learn to be Kunitz? Once he finds his scoring touch I think he can. He battles like Kuni...Possibly better, has decent hands now that his legs are working, and gets in good position. And can Horqvist learn to play like Guerrin? Get Sid the puck, but rather than crash the net immediately, trail the play and wait for the high pass or rebound.

If those two come around Sid could have his mold of wingers.

I agree. I'm tired of all of the comparisons. It's like trying to compare Lemieux to Yzerman (my personal favorite of all time). Lemieux is one of the top 2-3 offensive talents ever. However, Yzerman's dominant 2-way game began the Wings dynasty.

Crosby is (traditionally) the most gifted offensive player of our generation and a hell of a defensive center man too. Toews may be the most gifted defensive Center man of our generation and a hell of an offensive player. Both franchises have come from the bottom and morphed into amazing teams t watch. Holy shat! When you're supporting cast comprises of Malkin, Kessel, Letang, Staal for years, Kane, Kieth, Hossa, Sharp for years....you're a truly blessed hockey city.

Rather than argue over who's better....impossible to quantify by any stat. That includes offensive, defensive, cups, individual awards...they're just too close...we should both stop being but hurt over who's the better player.

And honestly, if I were to start a team now, regardless of age, I might start with Anze, Geno or Benn.
- cranktheradio

Complete fiction. Detroit began winning cu because of Yzerman being surrounded by the best talent. He was better prior to the 97' cup win.

The brilliant 1989' draft won Detroit those cups much more than Yzermas two-way play.

Popped in to see how big of cluster(frank) exploded on here. I was not disappointed. As far as faces of the league go, even LeBron James doesn't generate as much hatred as Sidney Crosby. Can the era of McDavid hurry up and start already so that these dumb ass Crosby debates can end already?

How does it seem I have experience when it's obvious I have no idea the answers to those questions. Plus my spelling, grammar, and diction are much more advanced than a 3 year olds. I'm an educated person and because of my occupation I am curious about the human/ almost human condition. Life is about striving to constantly find answers to whatever questions that cross your mind. You should try it instead of trying to childishly turn things around when there's no real sensical way to do that.
- Dcoms

Pull my finger

They ain't over....but if he doesn't turn his season around it will be in doubt.

i think i would give up on the sport before i would root for a bunch of whiny girls or rapist. i know you have all them miohael jackson 8 tracks to listen to so tah tah awe yell one more thing hows cindy's neck
- redsfanhere

This post is one of the most handicapped things I ever read.

Bailey for Crosby
- Danformo

oh stop, they're trying to have a mature discussion on this board

Towes isnt that good just part of a good team. Kane rapes women.
- Grinder47

Kane actually doesnt rape women. charges were dropped. try to keep up.