Ace_O_Spades

Well the regular season is kaput now, bring on the playoffs, but now comes the time to think about these two rookies and who will win the Calder trophy

POS TEAM GAMES G A PTS

SIDNEY CROSBY C PIT 81 39 63 102
ALEXANDER OVECHKIN L WSH 81 52 54 106


Fairly even numbers, Ovechkin was a tad more balanced goals/assists.

I personally think Crosby will get it, and I'll tell you my reasoning.

-Youngest player to reach 100 pts. (Finished at 102)
-Ovechkin is two years older than Crosby
-Ovechkin has been playing in the Russian Super league for four years. This may or may not weigh on the decision... It IS professional hockey, and he's playing against men. Far cry from the CHL Crosby played in.

Ovechkin had more points, yeah, but I think that there will be more factors taken into account.

What do you all think? Certainly it's between these two for the Calder.

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Feh.

streak_56

I think that Ovechkin will win because look at the team he played for. There are hardly any standouts other than him. He didn't play with hall of famer caliber players at the beginning of the season and sure as hell did not get alot of help from his team.

Crosby had Lemeiux, Recchi and Leclair to work with and that didn't help.

Though if it were nation vs nation.... Canada vs Russia.... I would pick my fellow canuck.

Temporary_User

hey, where is Phaneuf in this discussion?
I dont know if it is too likely that he wins it, but I think everyone will agree that it is harder to find a good D-man than a forward.

no one will be looking @ age or previous leagues played in for their decisioning factor. It is all how well they played this year as a NHL rookie.

silent_jay

I'd give the nod to Phaneuf as well, the kid is solid on the blue line and throws the body around like he's a vet.

But realistically I'd give it to Ovechkin, the kid is a hell of a hockey player, I'm still not to sure on Crosby, the kid seems to have an attitude problem, especially considering that Pittsburgh had to bring in a new fighter because no one else would fight for the kid.

But both have had outstanding years, so congrats to both of them.

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Nikilidstrom

Crosby had it before he ever laced up a skate as an NHL player. All he had to do was not trip over the blueline the first night he took the ice, and he was a shoe in. He's "The Next One" for god sakes, and a Canadian, how could he not win the Calder?

All sarcasm aside, IMO Ovechkin far outplayed Crosby this year, and did it on a team devoid of talent, while Crosby spent at least half the season with some of the best players in the league. Ovechkin was almost forgotten about at the beginning of the season by most of the media, with all their hype of Crosby, yet he went along, quietly wracking up huge numbers practically all by himself.

The only other player that deserves consideration for the Calder is Lunquist. He has held the Rangers and their crap defensive corps in every game he has played this season, long enough for the Jagr and whichever of the 3 lines he played on to run up the score. When he was injured, the team struggled for the remainder of the season.

stickyrice

If I hadn't heard so much hype for Crosby coming into this season and gotten so annoyed but it, I would give more consideration for him to win the Calder.

Yes he is the youngest to score 100 points (which I think is an amazing feat at 18 years old) and he is a very solid hockey player.

My pick would be Ovechkin (even though he's 2 years older), I just love watching this guy play hockey. Everytime he touches the puck, something is going to happen. I believe he's more of a physical player and is able to create something out of a nothing situation (i.e. goal on his back against Phoenix). Scoring 52 goals as a rookie and landing 3rd in scoring overall can't hurt either considering last years Art Ross trophy winner had 96 points (St. Louis) compared to Ovechkin's 106. Yes new rules played in Ovechkin's favour etc etc. I just brought it up as a stat comparison. But overall, I would give it to Ovechkin.

Too bad Phaenuf plays for Calgary. If this guy was playing for an Eastern team, they'd probably vote him for the Hart, Norris, Calder, Bill Masterson and Vezina probably . But seriously, I can see this guy winning the Norris one day. Just a very solid hockey player that every team needs.

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Daoust

My vote also goes to Ovechkin, even though he is older. I think Crosby will win, but I think Ovechkin SHOULD win, because he is a more complete player, this year anyway. I didn't like Ovechkin's showboating, but I hated Crosby's whining waaaaaaaaaay worse.
Both these teams had shitty players. No team was better. Ovechkin did more with his pile of shit than Crosby did with his, in my opinion.

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highthief

Ovechkin - I think watching him and Crosby over the next few years is going to be great, as they battle for scoring titles and other honours, but all complaining aside about him playing in the Russian league, he is a rookie by NHL standards, and had the better year.

Both are the real deals and as advertised.

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Daval

My vote goes to Ovechkin, that guy is just amazing.

Check this video out:- http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...41&q=alexander

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streak_56

Daval... that it an awesome video.

Antikarma

Nice video find. You gotta love his acceleration and drive to the net. Very similar to Bure in his Vancouver years. Hopefully Ovechkin's knees don't burn out the same way.

I think Ovechkin should take it. I think Crosby will be a better player in several years but he needs to mature. If his public comments are any indication of his maturity level and thought process, a few years on a shite team will do him good.

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lunchbox

Crosby played in the QMJHL not the CHL.

With that being said, it just seems to me that Ovechkin is the better player. If this is a popularity contest (which is what all these awards are boiling down to) Crosby will win. Ovechkin did MORE than Crosby. Granted, Crosby carried his piss-poor team. But Ovechkin did it on both ends, and threw his weight around.

My vote is for Ovechkin, i've seen both of their highlights, but ovechkin is just far far more explosive.

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silent_jay

The QMJHL is part of the CHL (Canadian Hockey League), unless the CHL you are thinking of is the Central Hockey League, then yes Crosby has never played in that CHL.

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lunchbox

ah. yea, i was thinking of the central hockey league, and i wasn't aware there was a larger governing body for the QMJHL. thanks for the info. my knowledge is better in the SEL and college hockey, heh.

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