So by asking why Ovechkin is better implies that I believe Crosby is better?
That is the dumbest logic I've ever heard. I think they are two different types of players so saying one is better is really only a matter of opinion or preference.
Why do you assume I'm defensive?
You are living in the past by listing Recchi, Leclair, Lemieux and Palffy as talent. These guys were quality talent years ago, but not so much this year. Besides, Crosby didn't play with them anyway, my friend.
Ok now you are just being a jerk. I don't understand why you have to start saying my logic is dumb when I'm just stating the obvious. You've been defending Crosby for the whole thread and arguing with those who support Ovechkin. But I guess logically, that doesn't seem to infer that you believe Crosby should win the award.
Yes they are two different types of players. But they are competing for the same award. They have to choose a winner, so they must by some method select which one of the two is better. Whether it be stats, age, experience, etc. I guess that's up to them.
I assume you are being defensive because of your snappy reply. As for living in the past, if you suggest Recchi, Leclair, Lemieux and Palffy were not considered talented players at the beginning of the year, then I guess you believe the following are no longer considered talent in this league:
First a refresher on the Penguins whose talent is questioned:
Mario - turned 40 at the beginning of the year
Palffy - just turned 34 - unfortunately injuries ruined his career
Leclair - currently 36, solid veteran his whole career
Recchi - just turned 38, still pretty effective
Other players from a similar era:
Mike Modano
Joe Sakic
Sergei Fedorov
Jaromir Jagr
Martin Brodeur
Nicklas Lidstrom
Teemu Selanne
Steve Yzerman
Rod Brindamour
Daniel Alfredsson (younger, but same age as Palffy)
Peter Bondra
Martin Gelinas
Bill Guerin
Glen Murray
Brendan Shanahan
Mathieu Schneider
Martin Straka
Keith Tkachuk
etc.
Now I realize most of these players are younger than Lemieux/Recchi but Lemieux is really the only person, along with Yzerman that I consider in a previous generation. 90-91 era and the next couple years is when most of these guys came about. All very well known through their careers with respectable numbers (some spectacular and still producing).
Zubrus, Halpern and Willsie were the only players on Washington with 40 points or more.
Gonchar had 58, Palffy had 42 pts in 42 games (he was there for half the season to help Crosby), Lemieux was at 1 PPG for the 20 or so games. Malone and Armstrong also hit 40. And what do you mean Crosby didn't play with them? Who did he play with? I remember him and Palffy lighting it up early on, as well as Mario and him. And I know Recchi and Leclair were with him on the PP a lot too.
So I realize the supporting cast wasn't a gigantic factor in Crosby's success but it definitely helped. You have to realize that.
As for that article, well yes, that is a bit unfair that Ovechkin has spent the last 5 years playing in the Russian super leagues. Well if Crosby was so good, why didn't he go play there? That may be a dumb question because I don't know that he would even be allowed to, and I think the NHL has some age restrictions too. But if Ovechkin was recognized as one of the premier forwards in the world after playing in the Russian Elite League for a couple years as a teenager (arguably the next best talented league to the NHL), then that says a lot about him.
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