Did Crosby deserve rookie of the year?

Question

I think so, I think Ovechkin was too selfish, Crosby was a more integral part of his team. He had way more assists.

Answer 1

I think Crosby should have gotten it because he was the youngest player EVER to get 100 or more points in a season. Plus, he was appointed one of the assistant captains about midway through the season which shows he is comfortable being a leader on a team. Also, like you said, he was more of an integral part of the team. I think Ovechkin is an awesome player and shows lots of enthusiasm, passion, and love for the game. Both are great to watch and as a hockey fan, I'm giddy at watching these two guys along with a bunch of other great, young players like Phaenuf and Lundqvist for years to come.

Answer 2

Who cares if he had more assists, he actually had some skilled players to pass to. Sometimes it's not about who passes more, it's about who wins games. Ovechkin had 17 game winning goals, Crosby had 2 and assisted in 8 more. Who was more valuable? Crosby took soooo many foolish rookie penalties at the wrong time in sooo many games. Ovechkin had half as many penalty minutes. Ovechkin could throw a hit, Crosby could get hit, but no take it very well. Ovechkin was a leader on the ice, no I'll admit, he didn't really do much for the team off the ice, but hey, he can hardly speak English. Crosby wore the A but he didn't deserve it. He is a fantastic player, and he sees the ice in such a way that you know he'll be an impact player for many years, but for this season, Ovechkin definitely lead his team in a far better way than Crosby did.

Answer 3

Ovechkin is the man. His game has more facets than Crosby. What was pretty amusing was that Crosby was getting all the hype before the season and during the draft and Ovechkin wins the Calder.

I think many see Ovechkin's goals and get hypnotized. I think people tend to forget that Crosby had more helpers than Ovechkin.

I was more surprised of Thornton winning the Hart than anything. I thought Jagr had it all but wrapped up.

Going back to Ovechkin and Crosby, I like the fact that there will be some young superstars that will be able to take the torch from the St. Louises, Iginlas and Prongers...

Answer 4

Saying Ovechkin was more selfish than Crosby is like saying Mike Bossy was more selfish than Wayne Gretzky...

Different players, different line-ups around them. Ovechkin had nearly as many assists and he had LESS talent to work with than Crosby did. Let's see Crosby had (at various points in the year) the chance to set up Mario Lemieux, John LeClair, Ziggy Palffy, Mark Recchi, Sergei Gonchar...

Now, who did Ovechkin have to set up? Danius Zubrus, Jeff Halpern, Chris Clark, Brian Wilsie, Ben Clymer, Matt Pettinger...I think you get my point. Ovechkin did well with the supporting cast he had.

Also, Ovechkin played a far more physical game and sacrificed his body more to help his team in games, maintaining a high level of self control.

Most of Crosby's penalties were retaliatory - his temper always flaired up when he was provoked or clipped or nudged and he'd take a dumb retaliation penalty. Doesn't help your team much if you're too selfish to retaliate (thereby getting 2 min in the box and putting your team short handed) rather than suck it up and stay on the ice and contribute.

Don't get me wrong. If Ovechkin had not played this year, I'd give the Calder to Crosby hands down. He had a great first year in the NHL.

But Ovechkin DID play and, unfortunately for Sydney Crosby, Ovechkin had a phenomenal year.

Answer 5

I agree with all the posts about ovechkin deserving it more than crosby, but one reason I feel Crosby didn't deserve this award is he was a big whiner. He might as well play soccer. He's not used to guys taking a run at him. This isn't Gretzky's era anymore where if you came within 5 feet of him McSorley would beat you up. He's going to have to learn to control his little temper if he's going to last. He had i believe the 3rd most penalty minutes of all the rookies. Imagine how many more points he could have had if he didn't spend all those minutes in the box

Answer 6

I disagree. Ovechkin deserved it; he had a great year on an absolutely horrid team (Caps). Penguins were almost as bad, but not quite.

When I watch both, it is obvious that Crosby and Ovechkin were the best players on their teams. Ovechkin is a year older, so he was slightly more mature. Crosby may "see the ice" better, and may be a better player in the long run.

Answer 7

From most reports Ovenchkin was more selfish. Was that a push for Crosby? I doubt it but it is possiable. I think both deserved it basically, but I think Crosby is more of the true rookie. Without a lockout Ovenchkin would have been playing last year.

Answer 8

I'm still trying to figure out how 9 assists is considered "way more" assists. But I digress...

Both players had amazing seasons and have very bright futures. However, Ovechkin did ultimately more with less. Early on, Crosby benefited from great, experienced players like Lemieux, Recchi, Palffy, and LeClair - older and past their prime, but still talented. Ovechkin had very little - Halpern and Zubrus aren't exactly top-tier names. So, while both had fairly identical seasons - being the star player with great stats on an otherwise horrible team - Ovechkin was able to do more with less.

Answer 9

It really could have gone either way. To score 50 goals as a rookie is an amazing accomplishment and everyone loves goals, but Crosby had a heck of a year as well. I can't remember the last time there were two rookies this talented in one season.

Answer 10

If you look at the whole season Oveckin had a way better season. He has the finesse of a goal scorer but then he can also put you on you a$$. Crosby is defiantly has skills but rookie of the year should go to the Best all around rookie, and that would have to be oveckin. I mean seriously the guy is a human highlight reel you saw some of the plays he made, he made others players and goalies look foolish.

Answer 11

No, and its a good thing that Ovechkin won. Crosby has always seemed selfish to me