“New NHL” begins with Sidney Crosby
The first overall selection in the past NHL Entry Draft, 18-year-old Sidney Crosby is quickly becoming the poster child for the new NHL.
When I browsed the Sports Illustrated web page, I noticed a headline on the site stating the “Return of the NHL.” and I was intrigued by the player and first story they posted under the heading.
“The Crosby Show set to debut” is what it read.
Despite the various other story lines that could be perfect for a league that is making its return after a year's hiatus, one of America's leading sports media sources chose an 18-year-old, unproven, kid to feature. And I can't argue.
When you watch the youngster speak to the media, he handles himself so professionally that you would think he had been in the league for 15 years.
When teammates talk about him they praise him so much, saying that they are honoured to be able to play with him.
Crosby's teammates are no slouches, either. Mario Lemieux, John LeClair, and Mark Recchi — all former Stanley Cup champions and All-Star players — have nothing but positive comments for Crosby and see his future as limitless.
I caught the opening minutes of Crosby's NHL debut, and was glued to the television. Even on his first shift he displayed the power to fend off the check, the speed to breakaway from opponents, and the creativity to get a scoring chance, almost slipping a goal past New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur.
The question will constantly be asked, will Crosby be as good as “The Great One” himself, Wayne Gretzky?
Gretzky himself has been quoted as saying that Crosby has the best chance of anyone he has ever seen play at challenging some of his own records.
When I browsed the Sports Illustrated web page, I noticed a headline on the site stating the “Return of the NHL.” and I was intrigued by the player and first story they posted under the heading.
“The Crosby Show set to debut” is what it read.
Despite the various other story lines that could be perfect for a league that is making its return after a year's hiatus, one of America's leading sports media sources chose an 18-year-old, unproven, kid to feature. And I can't argue.
When you watch the youngster speak to the media, he handles himself so professionally that you would think he had been in the league for 15 years.
When teammates talk about him they praise him so much, saying that they are honoured to be able to play with him.
Crosby's teammates are no slouches, either. Mario Lemieux, John LeClair, and Mark Recchi — all former Stanley Cup champions and All-Star players — have nothing but positive comments for Crosby and see his future as limitless.
I caught the opening minutes of Crosby's NHL debut, and was glued to the television. Even on his first shift he displayed the power to fend off the check, the speed to breakaway from opponents, and the creativity to get a scoring chance, almost slipping a goal past New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur.
The question will constantly be asked, will Crosby be as good as “The Great One” himself, Wayne Gretzky?
Gretzky himself has been quoted as saying that Crosby has the best chance of anyone he has ever seen play at challenging some of his own records.
