Who would you want to build a team around, who is the better player, who do you like more, who would you use to market the game - Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin.
The two young superstars of the league, who would you pick. Looking at the these two players, there are many similarities as well as differences.
Differences:
- Personality
- Playing style
- Nationality
- Charisma
Similarities:
- Skills
- Marketability
- Future of the League
- Scoring Prowess
Comparison:
Looking at stats alone as of November 16 2008, Ovechkin has (170G, 158A, 328points) in 260 Games. Crosby has (105G, 211A, 316points) in 230 Games. Stats alone are similar but if we look at the team they have played on, Crosby definitely has the better supporting cast than Ovechkin. Prior to this season and the emergence of Alex Semin, and Nicklas Backstrom, Ovechkin never had the players to play with him as well as take the pressure off of him. Ever since the beginning of his career, Crosby had the guidance of Mario Lemieux then Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal to play with.
Hardware wise, they are both neck and neck in awards matching each other, but Ovechkin still has the upper-hand with the Art Ross, Lester B. Pearson Award, Hart Trophy, Calder, and the Maurice Richard Trophy. Crosby on the other hand has the Art Ross Trophy, Lester B. Pearson Award, Hart Trophy, and the Eastern Conference Championship last season.
My Pick:
They will continue to be compared throughout their careers with the first one to win a Stanley Cup holding the advantage over the other. As of now, I think I would build my team around Ovechkin based on his goal scoring ability, charisma, entertainment value, personality,
Seeing him score and his excitement after will bring anyone to their feet. He is the total package - he can hit, score, and breaks away from the European hockey stereotype of not performing in the playoffs. Now with a better team and support, you will see The Capitals take a long run in the playoffs with the future captain Ovechkin leading the franchise for years to come. He will go down in the history as the best Russian born player in the NHL.
