Is Crosby "officially" the best player in the sport?

[Caps2cup05]

I keep hearing this and reading articles that Sidney is staking his claim as, bar none, the best player in the league. The argument is over according to a lot of analysts. I am a Caps fan and have hated the Penguins for much longer than Crosby has been a part of them, so I do have a bias; but I can't help but feel like the "argument is over" argument is incredibly premature.

In your opinion, is the argument over?

[Scottdau]

I would say he is the most complete player in the league and he is only 21, I think, so I would say he is the best and only going to get better.

[BlueNGold]

I think so. Obviously I have a bias as well, but I'm not one of those guys that's gonna put the blinders on and pretend anything to do with my teams is automatically the best or whatever.

Looking at it, he's a more complete player than Ovechkin is. A few years ago Ovechkin had the clear advantage in the goal scoring department, but now Crosby has closed that gap this season and the last. And up to this point he's been a much better playoff performer than Ovechkin as well.

Stamkos is entering the discussion as well, but he still has a ways to go to become a complete package like Crosby is.

Honestly, I think that if you asked all 30 GMs in the league who they would take if they had the 1st pick in a league-wide draft, Crosby would be the #1 pick just about every time.

[Caps2cup05]

First off, in my personal opinion, Pavel Datsyuk is the most complete player in the league and I am by no means a Wings fan...

I think Crosby is having the year of his life and deserves the MVP right now more than anyone else. The only competition is Timmy Thomas in bean town, but they won't even name him the full on starter for the team (WTF?).

I guess my problem, or personal hang up, is that Ovechkin (my guy) went off for three consecutive years and the debate never seemed to be over. And here we are half way through the season and Crosby has been the best so far, but suddenly the debate is over...

As an aside (and to show that I am not a complete fanboy) I think Ovi has been dreadful so far not only in point production but with stupid turnovers and an absolute inability to QB a powerplay and I think he should have the 'C' taken from him at the bare minimum. However, in the middle of his worst season as a pro he is 5th in the league in assists (at last I checked) and on pace for 30 goals.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by Caps2cup05

I keep hearing this and reading articles that Sidney is staking his claim as, bar none, the best player in the league. The argument is over according to a lot of analysts. I am a Caps fan and have hated the Penguins for much longer than Crosby has been a part of them, so I do have a bias; but I can't help but feel like the "argument is over" argument is incredibly premature. In your opinion, is the argument over?

I'm with you, actually. Crosby is the best player in the league right now, but one dominant 25-game stretch doesn't mean all debate is over and done with.

[tyler289]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

I'm with you, actually. Crosby is the best player in the league right now, but one dominant 25-game stretch doesn't mean all debate is over and done with.

This. He's been the best player in the league this year, but for a long time it's going to be like Brady and Manning (with other dominant players stepping up closer, too).

[tyler289]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlueNGold

And up to this point he's been a much better playoff performer than Ovechkin as well.

This is just a case of perception versus reality. Have Sidney's teams done better? Absolutely. But stats-wise:

Ovechkin: 28 GP, 20 G, 20 A (1.42 PPG)
Crosby: 62 GP, 30 G, 51 A (1.32 PPG)

Just because Ovechkin's teams have flopped does not mean that he has not produced in the postseason. He obviously has a smaller sample size, but nothing tells me he's all of the sudden going to start being terrible in April.

[Scottdau]

Dats is up there, but I say Sid is just a bit better.