“Could be a crack-head….” That had me on the floor.

It’s been a couple of days of weak Sabres links. No doubt the community is plenty worried. I’m honestly not sure why though.

I’m reserving most of my words for that Crosby link.

(1) Has wasn’t already hated when drafted because the NHL deemd him The Next One. He was because NBC and Versus did.

(2) He was “the strongest” on the team last season? I’m pretty sure you can find a half dozen teammates who wouuld name somebody (ahem)Malkin(ahem) else. My God.

(3) In the very next paragraph all I hear is excuses for a player who regressed this year. Period. He may yet mature into the best player in the league. But right now he’s not as good as two seasons ago. Period.

(4) Ah. Point-per-game as “the facts”. Spoken like a Tim Connolly fan. Been there. Let’s say I played one game and scored 3 points. Would my 3.00 PPG be held as why I’m the best player in the league?

(5) Next up? The “personality” issue. He’s more “emotional”, more “passionate”. Other hockey fans might consider slamming your stick into the goalpost on an uncalled penalty or shooting at the goalie (twice!) after whistles signs of less “maturity” instead of “more” of the former.

NOTE I reread the post and I’m wrong. The personality issue revolves around the kid being like a robot. Mea culpa. Apparently the Crosby Buffalo played this season played a bit more animated than against everyone else.

(6) Whining and diving. Reputations take time to overcome. And I agree, haven’t seen much diving – except for one very badly called on that cost us a point – but whining? Be. Serious.

(7) Money quote of a clearly biased article:

“Is he better than Ovechkin or Malkin? On any given night, sometimes yes and sometimes no. And that’s something that some fans refuse to acknowledge or respect.”

How about this? Most times this season no and a few times yes. He has some maturing to do.

It’s not hard for anyone who isn’t an apologist to say. Come on… try it.

I’ll end with two replies to two other comments:

"You’ll probably find that he works harder than you thought, that he whines less than you believed, and that his skill level really is something unique. "

 Yes to #1, absolutely not (for now) to #2, and absolutely yes to #3. Problem is, the kid needs to mature. He will – hopefully. Because it would be a waste of talent otherwise.

"(Let the hate mail from the anti-Crosby contingent commence.) "

Having hung ‘round the internets the last decade I know closeminded bias when I read it. I’m betting you are taking my words to be “anti-Crosby”. That’s your problem. Immature streaks and all, I wished he played for Buffalo.