Commentary: Could this season destroy Crosby's potential?
When the Penguins got Crosby in the draft lottery, he wasn't supposed to carry the team. They planned to surround him with veterans that could both tutor and compliment his style of play. He would be a contributor in an offensive juggernaut of young shooters and established NHL scorers. He was a lock for rookie of the year, piling up goals and assist and the Penguins seemed poised for a playoff run. But the best laid plans of mice and me often go awry.
Injuries and dubious personnell and coaching decisions sunk the team. Instead of being a role player on a skilled veteran team that wins more than loses, Crosby finds himself on a team where he is the only scoring option and the whole team is basically leaning on him. Where a player friendly coach has already been axed and disciplararian coach brought in without improved results. As the losses mount so does his obvious frustration manifesting itself in on ice meltdowns and penalty minutes.
As the weeks go by with the playoffs out of the question, stuck on 11 wins, and his chief rival, Alex Ovechkin pulling away. With no Mario to play Batman to his Robin. With the expectations that the team and the league had invested in his success collapsed in a heap on the ice, one wonders if he'll ever be able to live up to his potential after such a monumental bust of a start.
Instead of getting better game after game, Crosby seems to be regressing while Ovechkin seems to improve. Then again the Caps had zero expectations coming into the season and AO was an afterthought to the Sid the Kid hype.
Had he gone to an expansion team that wasn't expected to win, his bursts of offensive brilliance and gritty play would have been a bonus, a promise of things to come in future seasons.
One can only hope that Mario, who endured his share of losing before the Penguins got good, is helping with the mental coaching of his would be protege. Because the grind of game after game of disappointment coupled with not seeing any of his teammates step into leadership roles would be enough to make any 18 year old doubt his talent and lose his confidence.
When the 2006 Penguins are a memory, will #87 remember all the talent and potential he came into the league with and be able to realize his potential? Because from the outside looking in, it appears that the Penguins are botching the development of the future of the franchise.
Injuries and dubious personnell and coaching decisions sunk the team. Instead of being a role player on a skilled veteran team that wins more than loses, Crosby finds himself on a team where he is the only scoring option and the whole team is basically leaning on him. Where a player friendly coach has already been axed and disciplararian coach brought in without improved results. As the losses mount so does his obvious frustration manifesting itself in on ice meltdowns and penalty minutes.
As the weeks go by with the playoffs out of the question, stuck on 11 wins, and his chief rival, Alex Ovechkin pulling away. With no Mario to play Batman to his Robin. With the expectations that the team and the league had invested in his success collapsed in a heap on the ice, one wonders if he'll ever be able to live up to his potential after such a monumental bust of a start.
Instead of getting better game after game, Crosby seems to be regressing while Ovechkin seems to improve. Then again the Caps had zero expectations coming into the season and AO was an afterthought to the Sid the Kid hype.
Had he gone to an expansion team that wasn't expected to win, his bursts of offensive brilliance and gritty play would have been a bonus, a promise of things to come in future seasons.
One can only hope that Mario, who endured his share of losing before the Penguins got good, is helping with the mental coaching of his would be protege. Because the grind of game after game of disappointment coupled with not seeing any of his teammates step into leadership roles would be enough to make any 18 year old doubt his talent and lose his confidence.
When the 2006 Penguins are a memory, will #87 remember all the talent and potential he came into the league with and be able to realize his potential? Because from the outside looking in, it appears that the Penguins are botching the development of the future of the franchise.
posted by Steve at 10:19 PM
3 Comments:
He has carried every team he has been on. He does not need to be babied along in this league. He already is a top player in the league and will continue to be throughout his career. The Pens organization seems to be hapless right now, but there is a good young core that should provide a solid basis for the future. They tried to put a good team around him and many people believed it would be good, but it didn't work out. Sid will certainly not be hampered because he is on a bad team for a year or two. Perhaps that will be good for his maturity. He is used to being able to carry his team and make them good. He has to realize that one player can't make a team great at this level. He could be the key to building a great team, but he can't do it by himself. I know it is frustrating being a fan of what is probably now the worst team in the league, but Sid will not be ruined as a result.
"Crosby finds himself on a team where he is the only scoring option and the whole team is basically leaning on him." ...
AO is in the same situation and he is doing fine. What gives?
Lower (team) expectations, better coaching, better system, Ovey speaks little english and wasn't designated as the spokes person and the new face of the NHL by Bettman, so he can concentrate on his game. Ovey is bigger, Ovey's more of a pure goal scorer.
AO is definitely having the better rookie season. If they voted today he should win the ROY hands down, in my opinion.
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