Crosby or Ovechkin?

[LobWedge]

I have just managed to trade my way to the 1st overall draft pick in my pool this year, which leaves me with an interesting problem. Crosby or Ovechkin?

2 of the highest rated players in years are available and I'm asking for your feedback as to who I should pick. I'm leaning more in one direction right now but I have some time before draft day, so "argue" away.

Cheers.

[The Shtick]

Ovechkin for sure. He'll be the "go to" guy in Washington. He has experience with the big boys and he's also my pick for the Calder trophy.

[spackler]

First overall pick? I'd go for a more reliable guy than a rookie unless it's a keeper league. Kovalchuk, St Louis, Iggy, Hossa, Nash are all guys I'd consider over Crosby and Ovechkin. Especially Kovalchuk and Hossa. But if you had to pick between the two you mention, I'd go Ovechkin.

["Richard"]

don't waist your first pick on either of those guys... there are going to be lots of players ahead of them and probably a few players close to being ahead of both of them combined!!!! (jagr, forsberg, kovulchuk, hossa and a few others I can't think of right now)

[dbleber]

For me, the choice is Crosby. I think he will be better supported in Pittsburgh and I think he above and beyond Ovechkin when in comes to hockey sense. Ovechkin is going to be a a real crappy hockey environment and unlike Kovalcjuk, he has no Heatley. Ovechkin also has an attitude problem which in my popinion will get sorted out early and we may not see Ovechkin for the whole season. Just my 2 cents.

[Golfbum]

Neither, why waste a first place pick on unproven players, unless you are forced by the rules to take a rookie.

I'd pick Joe Thornton if I had your draft pick. He had a great season in Europe last year, won the Spangler Cup, his team won the Championship in their league. He is in great shape, just signed a nice 3 year deal so he is happy. If the NHL cracks down on the obstruction then Joey T is going to tear it up

2nd pick would be Rick Nash, he played with Joe and he is a sniper!

[Shivas Irons]

just signed a nice 3 year deal so he is happy.

This is usually an indication a player will have a lack luster season. Look for players who are in the last year of their contracts to tear it up.

[Golfbum]

This is usually an indication a player will have a lack luster season. Look for players who are in the last year of their contracts to tear it up.

Care to make a little friendly wager? I happen to know Joe and I don't think he is going to slack off because he has a 3 year deal.

[Shivas Irons]

Care to make a little friendly wager? I happen to know Joe and I don't think he is going to slack off because he has a 3 year deal.

Players generally play best in the last year of their contracts. Dispute that if you like.
Glad to hear you know Joe, good for you, but I'm not convinced that you knowing Joe will ensure he has a good year.

[Shivas Irons]

I would pick Ovechkin over Crosby, but as thotho pointed out, if this is a first pick there are plenty of players that would be a better pick.
Hossa, Kovalchuk, Forsburg, Iginla are just a few I would pick ahead of Crosby or Ovechkin.

[Colby]

If a trade was involved to get to this point, this is a "keeper" league where you have to draft new players, trade, waive players to get rid of them etc. Just like the big league, these fantasy leagues go on for years, each team building as time goes on. So Thorton, Kovalchuk, etc are most likely already on someone else's team.

[LobWedge]

If a trade was involved to get to this point, this is a "keeper" league where you have to draft new players, trade, waive players to get rid of them etc. Just like the big league, these fantasy leagues go on for years, each team building as time goes on. So Thorton, Kovalchuk, etc are most likely already on someone else's team.

Exactly. I just came back to the thread to check it out (I forgot I had started it - old age). We all have established rosters so the majority of the top flight talent is already "owned". We're only allowed to protect a certain number of players from season to season, but it still only releases limited talent back in to the pool. In that respect we have to wheel and deal to work our way up the draft ladder. I was originally slated to pick 4th overall, but as I said at the beginning, I've managed to wheel and deal my way to #1. That being said, I'm in a position to draft either one of these "can't miss" prospects. I'm looking toward the future. Most years it's usually a no brainer, #1 and everybody else. This year is a tough decision.

Thanks for all the input so far.

[Chambokl]

Take Crosby. He will get 50 to 70 points this year and probably close to 100 next year. He will play with Lemieux. It doesn't matter how old Mario is, whoever plays with him will get points....

Good luck.

Chambo

[mberube]

Crosby cause he will have a lot more support with the Pens. The Caps have no team. It’s a lot easier to shutdown one player then two lines.

Mike

[broken27]

Ovechkin 2 / Crosby 0
Two periods into the new season...lol

Ovechkin is AWESOME!!!! Almost tempted to stop watching Leafs/Sens.

Dan

[mberube]

Ovechkin 2 / Crosby 0
Two periods into the new season...lol

Ovechkin is AWESOME!!!! Almost tempted to stop watching Leafs/Sens.

Dan

Two goals on your first night is impressive. What’s the name of the goalie for Columbus again? Pascal Leclaire!!!! Isn’t he the second goaltender?

Crosby is playing the best in the league.

Dan! 81 games to go!

[broken27]

Two goals on your first night is impressive. What’s the name of the goalie for Columbus again? Pascal Leclaire!!!! Isn’t he the second goaltender?

Crosby is playing the best in the league.

Dan! 81 games to go!

Whatever... Give credit where credit is due. I didn't say anything bad about Crosby, I simply pointed out how awesome Ovechkin is...

Leclaire as also drafted 8th overall, so he can't be all that much worse than Marc Denis...

Dan

[wopstergolf]

I think through just the first few games of the season, though Crosby is leading the battle between them in points, I think that Ovechkin has been the more impressive player.

Plus his team has won a couple games.

[dbleber]

Ovechkin looks great, but Crosby looks great too and has had tons of chances. There is a big difference scoring goals against Columbus then against the Devils!!!!

[jonf]

Sid the Kid is on tv tonight taking on the Canadiens. Don't know about you, but I can't wait. He hasn't disappointed so far. Lots of points, but more importantly, he's exciting to watch. This will be a good one.

[davevandyk]

I've said it all along, Crosby might get more points, but Ovechkin is way more exciting to watch and much more valuable to his team. However I think Crosby will end up being the Rookie of the Year because he has the supporting cast that Ovechkin doesn't have, therefore he will likely get much more assists then Ovechkin.

I do believe that Ovechkin will lead all rookies in goals.

The real rookie to watch is Phaneuf in Calgary, gonna be one of the leagues' best dmen in a couple of years!

[broken27]

Crosby will win because he's from Canada. It's really that simple. Ovechkin's marketability is limited due to his pathetic English. Plus, sports media vote on the awards, and most of the people who get votes have already basically cast theirs.

Not going to watch Crosby tonight. Can't stand PIT, and not a Habs fan. Will be watching Jagr and company destroy the Lightning as they play some charity case goalie...

Dan

[davevandyk]

Crosby will win because he's from Canada. It's really that simple. Ovechkin's marketability is limited due to his pathetic English. Plus, sports media vote on the awards, and most of the people who get votes have already basically cast theirs.

Not going to watch Crosby tonight. Can't stand PIT, and not a Habs fan. Will be watching Jagr and company destroy the Lightning as they play some charity case goalie...

Dan

The way you are talking, you would said Ovechkin should win because he's from Russia. I actually believe that Ovechkin is more marketable than Crosby because he's a lot flashier and, as of so far, has much better moves!

[broken27]

Let me be the first to say that Crosby shootout goal was great.

Dave - I don't think Ovechkin is nearly as marketable as you think. Sure, in Washington he is, but the fact that he flipped off the North Dakota arena during the WJHC last year isn't going to help.

Besides, it's about votes, and if you read any of the guys who actually get to vote, Crosby's pretty much got it all wrapped up. It would take an injury, or a remarkable slump for him to lose it, regardless of point totals or value to a team on the ice.

Cheers,
dan

[Golfbum]

Did Jose go back and get his jock strap after Crosby scored in the shootout? Man what a beauty and I am not a Crosby fan, but he undressed Theodore. Where was that move last year in the Memorial Cup Final against London?

[The Shtick]

Well, I don't post much in these forums anymore but I agree with Dan here. Ovechkin should win the Calder if the season ended right now.

If Crosby gets more points than Ovechkin and his team still sucks, he wins. Makes no sense to me if Washington has a more improved record and Ovechkin keeps finding the net.

Remember, Crosby has other good players to feed and receive passes from. Washington has nobody to support Ovechkin yet he still makes things happen and in my mind, he gets my MVP vote amongst rookies.

Isn't the Calder awarded to the player who has made the biggest impact in his first season of play??

[jonf]

Ovechkin will get more goals, there's no question. As for who's more fun to watch, its hard to say. Ovechkin is incredibly skilled, and can shoot the puck like nobody's. I can't remember who they were playing a few weeks ago, but I remember seeing Crosby either split the D or overpower a D-man to earn a penalty about 5 times in a game. As for the calder, its true, as long as the two are close in total points, crosby will get the votes. Either way, it's going to be fun watching these kids for the next few years.

Also have to agree on Phaneuf - great shot, great hitter, and he's got the passion for the game. Couldn't help but laugh when he tumbled over his stick after challenging a fight the other night. Don't know about anyone else, but that first Canucks - flames game, despite being 1-0, was the most entertaining game of the year in my books. Great goaltending, lots of chances, tons of hitting, and a few good scraps too - the kind of fights that meant something - weren't just fights for the sake of fights. Good to see that there is still some of the old NHL left in the new NHL

[dbleber]

I think this conspiracy theory is getting kind of old. The winner of the Calder will the rookie who has the most points, that's usually the way it goes except in rare cases like Raycroft as already mentioned. To think that Ovechkin won't win because they are out to get him is just stupid and show nothing but ignorance. There have been plenty of Non-Canadian winners, it just happens to be a great season for rookies this year with arguably the best rookie class ever. The 2 front runners are obviously Crosby and Ovechkin. Now Ovechkin has shown that he is very talented and can score some big league goals, but there is more to hockey then just lighting the lamp. Crosby has done his fair share of pretty moves and goals but has been more effective in showing his hockey sense and true talent of the game with making wicked plays. To me the two have different styles, but as of now Crosby wins he has what 19-20 points? That's more then Ovechkin plain and simple. It is 2 early to pass out the trophy yet, if at the end of the season Ovechkin has more points or scores a crazy amount of goals he'll win. If Crosby has more points (goals or assists, they all count) then he'll win and should win. It just doesn't get any simpler then that. Now give the conspiracy theories a rest, I said it before but it is really scary that a "reporter" would be this bias and narrow minded.

[The Shtick]

Crosby has done his fair share of pretty moves and goals but has been more effective in showing his hockey sense and true talent of the game with making wicked plays. To me the two have different styles, but as of now Crosby wins he has what 19-20 points? That's more then Ovechkin plain and simple. It is 2 early to pass out the trophy yet, if at the end of the season Ovechkin has more points or scores a crazy amount of goals he'll win. If Crosby has more points (goals or assists, they all count) then he'll win and should win. It just doesn't get any simpler then that. Now give the conspiracy theories a rest, I said it before but it is really scary that a "reporter" would be this bias and narrow minded.

Okay, Crosby SHOULD get more points because he has solid talent on his team (Lemieux, LeClair, Palffy, Rechhi). These guys are all proven scorers.

Ovechkin is a lone sniper on his team. He's scored 12 of the team total 36 goals so far and he's the only player on his team who has more points than games played (17pts, 15 gp). Pittsburgh has 4 players who fall into that category.

Who does Ovechkin have that can help him generate points (ala Crosby)?? Steve Eminger? Dainius Zubrus? Jeff Halpern?

Give me a break. Ovechkin seems to fit OUTSTANDING more than Crosby. Simple enough?

[broken27]

I think this conspiracy theory is getting kind of old. The winner of the Calder will the rookie who has the most points, that's usually the way it goes except in rare cases like Raycroft as already mentioned. To think that Ovechkin won't win because they are out to get him is just stupid and show nothing but ignorance. There have been plenty of Non-Canadian winners, it just happens to be a great season for rookies this year with arguably the best rookie class ever. The 2 front runners are obviously Crosby and Ovechkin. Now Ovechkin has shown that he is very talented and can score some big league goals, but there is more to hockey then just lighting the lamp. Crosby has done his fair share of pretty moves and goals but has been more effective in showing his hockey sense and true talent of the game with making wicked plays. To me the two have different styles, but as of now Crosby wins he has what 19-20 points? That's more then Ovechkin plain and simple. It is 2 early to pass out the trophy yet, if at the end of the season Ovechkin has more points or scores a crazy amount of goals he'll win. If Crosby has more points (goals or assists, they all count) then he'll win and should win. It just doesn't get any simpler then that. Now give the conspiracy theories a rest, I said it before but it is really scary that a "reporter" would be this bias and narrow minded.

I don't really want to get into this with you, but you're really getting on my nerves with your babble.

From NHL.com:

Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League. The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season.

Have you READ anything written by these PHWA members? They're already giving Crosby the award.

It's not a conspiracy theory, it's reality. It has little to do with nationality, in Crosby's case, but it has something to do with it in a roundabout way. Media votes are localized to Canada and USA. Who are we assaulted with in the press each day? Crosby.

Dan