If Ovechkin is better than Crosby? Why does Ovechkin draw so poorly on the road?

Question

They are in the same conference and play the same arenas.
Yet, currently Pittsburgh is 1st in road attendance, Washingotn is 16th
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=away_avg&year=2008

Last year, Pittsburgh was 3rd and Washington was 5th
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=away_avg&year=2007

In 2005-2006, Pittsburgh was 13th, Washington was 26th
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=away_avg&year=2006

Incudork, Gretzky played 5 road games as a St. Louis Blue, all were sellouts.

While Gretzky was a Ranger, the Rangers led the NHL in road attendance.

While Gretzky was a King, 4x the Kings led the NHL in road attendance.

While Gretzky was an Oiler, they led the NHL in road attendance 7x (in 9 seasons)

Haley Haley Haley
This is just my response to all those people who say Ovechkin is better than Crosby. IF (and I say IF) he is, why do the Eastern conference fans prefer to watch Crosby?
I'm being a **** disturber today because Yahoo keeps pulling questions.

Haley,
I'm still working on my dynasties, but I was going to stop at the NHL/WHA merger. YOu and TB can sort out the lightning...although I would pick Khabibulin over Lacavalier in goal...just my opinion.

Bob
Thanks for understanding on this slow afternoon. I already have my clock ticking to see when this question gets removed.

Bob
Thanks for understanding on this slow afternoon. I already have my clock ticking to see when this question gets removed.

Answer 1

Without getting into the "Crosby vs. Ovechkin" debate, more popular does not necessarily mean 'better'. Moreover, the Caps are not a very good team and would probably be lower in road attendance if not for Ovechkin.

Lastly, European players, Russians and Eastern Europeans particularly, have a very difficult time transcending the sport in North America. They just don't 'speak' to fans here like Canadian and Americans can.

I faced this issue personally when Fedorov was our top endorsee at Nike in the 90's. While he was on the most skilled athletes in the league and played for a high-profile Detroit squad, Fedorov's market appeal and strength was nowhere near where it should have been.

The same can be said of Jaromir Jagr. He's the most offensively productive non-Canadian in the history of the league but, while most North Americans intellectually recognize that, the visceral response to the name does not approach the reaction to lesser Canadian or American players.

With all that said, what do you think Ovechkin and Crosby's 'Q' ratings are in Russia?

Answer 2

Washington has no playoff history? Oh please, I remember the 90s when Washington was a huge rival to Pittsburgh because my Penguins kept meeting them in the playoffs. Although I guess when the NHL is just trying to get more and more casual fans they won't have fans that remember the time BEFORE the lockout. The truth is that Ovechkin is a goal scorer and that is mostly what he is. Crosby is a team player that tries to get help make his team better. Sure this year Crosby is going to draw better being the MVP from last year, as well as Art Ross winner. IF Ovechkin can win the Rocket Richard award he could start to help sell more tickets, most see him as a goal scorer so he better start leading the league in scoring goals. I think the novelty of Ovechkin is wearing out though, if he scores a goal people can just watch the highlights(ESPN and FSN in the U.S)

Answer 3

Tickets for the game last night were going for as much as $800. Need I say anymore? No, but I will.
To put it in perspective, NFL teams have 8 home dates per year and for 800$ you could get some pretty damn good seats in any the NFL stadiums.
Sidney is the face of the NHL. He is the only player that people will pay ridiculous money to see. He puts butts in the seats.
Which makes me wonder why on a couple of occasions this year that would be big draws anyway, they include the Pens. I guess to appease the hockey fans but the Al Arbour game probably would have had a big turn-out regardless of if it was the Sidney show and the same can be said of the outdoor shenanigans in Beefalo. Imagine how that one will really skew their numbers, not that they need skewing but it is why the LAKing and the Anaheim Ducks have the high % showing (their London games).
I watch the Flyers but if they are off, I will will tune into the Pens.
The only comparisons I can draw compared with other sports now is when Tiger Woods is in the field or when Barry Bonds was chasing history.

Answer 4

Ovechkin is an extremely solid offensive participant he nevertheless desires fairly some artwork on protection and he shoots the %. way too plenty. He does not see the ice properly or perhaps while he does hit that is going to oftentimes positioned him out of place and reason an odd guy rush. He can shoot the %. properly and locate the open spots on the ice and can hit the internet with a great shot or a solid hang. He could provide a huge hit and reason a momentum shift. Crosby is the greater beneficial participant and 29 out of 30 GMs could agree which includes Washington's GM. He sees the ice greater beneficial than the different participant, can pass the %. properly and he can positioned the %. interior the internet additionally. Crosby can artwork perplexing deep interior the offensive zone and can play solid protection and lower back verify properly. he's hockey smart and is accustomed to what to do and while to do it. His team friends don't experience any undesirable outcomes from Crosby's smarts. All they could desire to do is shoot the %. and get in place for a pass. greater beneficial participant = Sidney Crosby

Answer 5

People do like to see winners. Sidney Crosby would still be drawing people, of course, but I'm sure he draws even more people because he's had SUCCESS. I think winning trophies and taking the Penguins to the playoffs has contributed to both Pittsburgh's increased home and road attendance. Obviously marketing has a lot to do with it, too... But eventually, people would not want to see a loser. So I think you're right LITY, that Crosby must be a little bit talented... ;)

I agree with sgoldperson, to a degree, though. If Ovechkin won a trophy or two and actually helped the Capitals get to the playoffs, attendance would probably be better for Washington. [Argument about why Crosby is better right now because he HAS won trophies and led his team to the playoffs goes HERE.]

Answer 6

Is Paul Kariya better than Vaclav Prospal?
I am sooooooo sick of this. I am actually more interested in my question, than the Ovechkin/Crosby debate. I can't believe people can really care about this so much.

Stats mean everything. Crosby IS better on paper, because paper gets your team to the playoffs, not the finesse of your plays. I am smelling that Vincent Lecavalier will be better than both of them. I'd much rather see his mug on the top of the list than fish lips and neanderthal boy.

To answer your real question: People want to see Crosby play. There is way more hype for him than Ovechkin. The NHL knows how to sell players to the public. Not only is Ovechkin harder to look at, but he is not playing on a team that supports him like Pittsburgh.

Lity: My response is not to you, but to everyone, that happens to see your question, and starts to drool, twitch, and become aroused by answering which man deserves to fill the title of #1. I know you are being a bit condescending, and are looking to pick on some hardcore caveman fans. Btw, do you think I should start working on my Lightning Dynasty? lol. Can Vinny play goalie, and center? lmao.

Bob: You misunderstood what I meant. I when I said "paper", I am meant paper as being "Stats". Crosby has better stats than Ovechkin. I agree with you though, on the Tiger Woods saga.

Bob: When I was about 14, my friend let me borrow the Clockwork Orange. I stuck the tape in and just started watching the movie, and my dad walking into my bedroom and said, “Cool, the Clockwork Orange. This was a really neat-o movie back in the day. Do you mind if I watch this with you?”. Well, I said sure, and I had no idea what I was in for. The most uncomfortable 2 hours with my father in my entire life. Definitely NOT a Norman Rockwell moment.

Oh, and by the way, the more you pick on me, the more I like you. You better watch it, or I am going to start a Bob Fan Club.

Answer 7

Because Pittsburgh is a much better team. It's hard for a lousy team with no history of playoff success to draw a fan base. Plus, Crosby gets all the media attention. You are basically forced to know who he is. If you are not a fan of Washington or don't watch hockey on a regular basis, there is a good chance you wouldn't even know who Ovechkin is. I've seen both play only one game which is far too little to gauge who is the better player.

Answer 8

When Gretzky was playing with St.Louis their attendance probably went up but they probably weren't first. So in that logic any player on the Wings was better than Gretzky for a few years because more people came to see the Wings than St. Louis in other arenas.

Answer 9

Probably because Pittsburgh is a better team and they had Super Mario in the 80s and 90s so more people are coming back onto the bandwagon.No real superstars for Washington in the past.Jagr wasn't there long enough.

Answer 10

because he's not made out to be 'God' or the 2nd coming like 'Cindy' is.

He gets all the promo & Hype that's why ovechkin draws 'poorly' on the road.

I'll pay for caps tickets before I would Pens (& My #1 fave player Sykora is on that team) tickets. With Hype you may get money, but you also get a big head which I've been told Cindy oops sorry Sydney has.

haven't seen Sydney do any of the stuff Ovechin has.. he does EVERY THING he has to, to win. i've seen him check, I've seen That Goal. i don't see Crosby mucking it up. I hear him wine he's getting hooked. (So do something about it WUSS)