If he played for someone other than the Capitals. This guy is an absolute phenominon, yet the hype is always on Crosby or another star in the league.
2007-10-29 15:23:56 · 17 answers · asked by charliman2000 4 in Sports ➔ Hockey
He would get much more respect if he spoke better English and didn't have a head that looked like pumpkin carved by a 5 year old.
Marketing is marketing. Most Americans probably never even heard of him, not because he plays in DC, but because you can't base your league around someone so unmarketable. Its the same reason that some of the best music you will ever hear will never get played on the radio, it may be amazing, but its just not marketable.
I will say it is unfortunate and a sad social commentary, because I am a big fan of Ovies(and independent music), but that is the way that most casual fans give respect, based on the marketability surrounding them.
It wouldn't matter if he played in New York and put up the same numbers as Crosby, be honest with yourselves and admit who the league is going to push between those two.
BIG- You make some very good points, Ovie is being groomed to fill a role as best he can and I think he is doing a very good job of it all things considered. However, if you expect a European star in the NHL to ever hold the same popularity as a North American star of the same talent range, I think you are kidding yourself. Especially in comparison to the golden boy image that Crosby projects. In other words, Ovie aint getting no clothing line. lol
2007-10-29 15:27:52 · answer #1 · answered by Zam 5 · 8⤊ 4⤋
The thing with Crosby is that when he came from juniors, he was hyped as the next Gretzky. Ovechkin had none of this pre-draft. Another thing I believes that seperates Crosby from Ovechkin is that Crosby couldn't have come at a better time for the NHL, debuting the year after the lockout, and yes I think Ovechkin would get more respect if he was elsewhere in the NHL. He's an amazing player, and he should deserve some respect.
2007-10-30 15:15:57 · answer #2 · answered by sportsguy2315 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just because Crosby receives a lot of attention and is the more hyped of the two, doesn't mean there's a loss of people who respect Ovechkin. I respect him and his skills, despite being a Penguins and Crosby fan.
I find Ovie to be a lot more amiable than Sid. I think if Sid had the personality of Ovechkin, he'd probably draw more fans into the league. The media training keeps him from saying anything controversial, but Sid could seriously stand to show some personality.
I don't think the hype matters to those two players anyway. If Ovie has a good season and/or helps the Caps make the playoffs, who cares?
2007-10-29 22:40:37 · answer #3 · answered by Erica 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that he would. I think that you are confusing respect with popularity though. Alex is very respected inside hockey circles. What makes me (as a Capitals fan and season ticket holder) upset with Crosby is the inordinate amount of pub that he gets. Over the first 2 years of their careers, their numbers are comparable (Ovie had 98 goals and 100 assist to Sids 75 and 147). What has really given Crosby an edge is the fact that he is playing with 4 guys drafted in the top 5 of the draft (Ryan Whitney 5th in 02, Fleury 1st in 03, Malkin 2nd in 04, and Staal 2nd in 06). That equates to a bit more talent around the Kid. Ovechkin had virtually nothing to work with his 1st year. His second year, the Caps big offensive signing in the off season was Richard Zednik who had been banished from Montreal. Semin came seemingly out of no where to everyone that wasn't a Capitals fan to give him someone to take some of the scoring burden off. Now that he actually has some semblance of a team around him , he will be on alot of peoples radar with a team that will be in contention for the playoffs and when he leads the league in goals with about 65 to 70. As for his marketability ZAM, He is pretty darn marketable. His english is getting better every day and he has a flair and almost a rambunctious that is far beyond what Crosby will ever have. What makes Crosby more marketable is that he is Canadian and the NHL is #1 in Canada.
2007-10-30 01:04:09 · answer #4 · answered by Big Pushy 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Define 'respect'.
Any fan you talk to knows he's a great player. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say he's overpaid or would not want him on their team.
I would think having the media cut him some slack until his English improves shows more respect than sticking a microphone in his face on every breath. Sidney Crosby would probably enjoy a little less respect if it meant getting away from the media on occasion.
I guess you'd have to ask Ovie what he thinks, or hire more efficient marketing personnel.
2007-10-30 11:32:53 · answer #5 · answered by cme 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Pens weren't exactly setting the league on fire at the time the drafted Crosby. The team was at the verge of bankruptcy and well, they "earned" the #1 draft pick. It's up to Ovechkin to show the same sort of leadership in Washington if he wants to be held in the same regard as Crosby.
2007-10-30 08:58:34 · answer #6 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
here's the thing! crosby is a canadian player there was hype about him in canada 2yrs before he even got drafted, not only did he play in the juniors on a renowned quebec team which is just like being part of a nhl team here. for years people hear have heard of crosby and when he's in the country everyone wants to see him play he's on our tv's in ads for tim hortons and rbk(english and french).
personally i think that ovechkin is a little superior to crosby for that fact that he had no other teamate to support him at first until this year, while crosby came in a team of veterans such as recchi, lemieiux, etc. the reason.
as we may know hockey is suffering in the us, while in canada people live, eat and breathe by hockey. it s all they talk about even during the off season. crosby was hyped for years while ovechkin was seen as the competition who surpassed peoples expectations for a rookie. i f u went to russia im sure they talk about him a lot just like they do about other russian players, but if ovechkin played in canada, you better believe his name would be on everybody's mouth, more then now...
2007-10-30 22:51:49 · answer #7 · answered by habs86 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well Crosby is a better player than Ovechkin, which he proved last year, not taking away any of Ovechkin's acomplishments away from him of course. Any true hockey fan knows this kid's name and what team he plays for, but he will forever live in Crosby's shaddow unless he can outplay him. Keep in mind, Crosby's not playing for a huge market team either out in Pittsburgh, aren't they still talking about moving the team out?
2007-10-29 23:10:07 · answer #8 · answered by Jonny G 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No, he will start getting Crosby respect if he can get Washington turned around and be one of the elite teams in the East.
2007-10-30 11:48:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
as a caps fan i'd hate to admit that he probably would, not to say that we caps fan here in the DC area dont respect him and cheer him every time he's breakin in the zone. Everybody else in the league(fans and players) dont really seem to notice how ovie actaully is, this guy's for real. I dont want him to leave here we ned him(thats an understatement) specially since he's carried the teeam through the recent injuries and penalties. I do what i can to spread the word about the caps and ovie in my school, i've got some caps jerseys, and my ovie shirt i wear A LOT! and people are starting to tune in.
2007-10-29 22:39:45 · answer #10 · answered by Andrew G 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋