Alexander Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby

Recently, Washington Capitals' superstar Ovechkin has become the main man for the NHL. Starting this year, ESPN has been discussing his goals and highlights more than any other player, even the ever popular Sidney Crosby. There are many reasons Ovechkin has reached this status of popularity. Ovechkin is the most prolific scorer in the NHL, has a great comedic personality, and makes sure his presence his known with his flamboyant celebrations. He also happens to have won the Hart Trophy for most valuable player for the NHL. Causal fans tend to fall in love with goal scoring stars who flaunt their achievements like Ovechkin does. However, is he really the best player in the NHL? Sidney Crosby would like to disagree. Crosby and Ovechkin were previously media formulated rivals, but in recent months have gotten in confrontations and traded words. These two are forming a real rivalry; one like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson but with animosity. Although both are only in their third seasons, Crosby and Ovechkin's resumes are already ones other players would envy. However, despite what ESPN and popular outlets may try to convey, Crosby's resume is better. 

Ovechkin's resume runs great. He beat Crosby for the Calder Trophy (best rookie) in his first season and won the Art Ross (most points), Lester B. Pearson (Most outstanding player as voted by peers), and the Maurice Richard Trophy (most goals) with the MVP last season. Those numbers are nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, he has yet to win one playoff round. While one can argue that depends on his team, one expects the MVP and best player to lift his team to the next level comes playoff time. That is what makes Crosby better than Ovechkin. Crosby, who also happens to be two years younger, has also won the Art Ross, Lester B. Pearson, and Hart Trophy; he happens to be the youngest in NHL history to win the first two. Crosby is not as good a goal scorer as Ovechkin but he is a great passer with excellent hockey knowledge and vision. Those are the skills he used to carry his Penguins to the playoffs two years in a row and the finals last year. He is also a good leader, becoming the youngest player to captain a team for a whole season. Crosby has put up more points per game, has a better playoff record, and is a better leader than Ovechkin.

While Ovechkin is a great player and may be one of the best scorers in NHL history, the recent claims that he is the best player in the NHL remain unjustified until he proves himself in the upcoming playoffs. 

Montreal Canadians: Playoffs?

The Montreal Canadiens. The most successful team in NHL history with 24 Stanley Cups. A team celebrating its 100th Anniversary, which included hosting the all-star game and changing their logo for the season to commemorate the milestone. A team that has won a Stanley Cup every decade of its existence. A team that has been in a playoff position since October and held the number one seed for a few weeks. Now in 8th spot and realistic danger of missing the playoffs. The Canadiens have been in free fall since the All-Star break in early February, dropping down the rankings to the now dangerous 8th and final spot with 83 points and nine games remaining. The Florida Panthers (81 pts, 8 Games Remaining) are the main pursuers of this spot, but they have not been too hot either. 

If the Canadiens were to miss the playoffs, the results would be catastrophic in the hockey obsessed city of Montreal, where the citizens live and die with their only professional team. To make a better guess as to whether the Canadiens will be in the big dance, one needs to compare theirs and the Panther's remaining games. 

Montreal: Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Chicago, at NY Islanders, at Toronto, Ottawa, at NY Rangers, at Boston, Pittsburgh

Out of these nine teams, five are worse than the Canadiens in terms of points. Unfortunately, Montreal plays two of the four teams that are above them on the road where they are only 15-19-3. Judging by the schedule, one can expect somewhere between 8-12 out of 16 available points. That would put them between 91-95 points. Now let's look at Florida's chances.

Florida: at Philadelphia, at Dallas, Ottawa, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, at Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington

Half of the games Florida plays are against teams above them in the standings, but fortunately, only three game are on the road, and two are against the Flyers, who they would lose to anyways. The Panthers are solid at home and should be able to defeat most of the remaining visitors. The Capitals and Penguins are the only ones that should pose a challenge, and Washington may not have incentives by that point anyways. The Panthers should come out with between 6-10 points. If they perform as they have lately, they will only get six, but if they are finally inspired to reach the playoffs for the first time since the 1999-2000 season, they may make some noise. 

Unfortunately, for the Panthers, their destiny does not lie in their own hands, and all odds point to the Canadiens clinching the number eight spot and a chance to continue their streak of winning every decade. However, despite the belief that anything can happen once you reach the playoffs, the Canadiens will not beat the Boston Bruins. In fact, even if the New Jersey Devils or the Washington Capitals manage to pull out the number one seed, the Canadiens are finished. Expect them to be playing into mid April, but not beyond that. 

-A.S

Thoughts on the NFL Offseason

 

AP Photo

This year's NFL offseason kicked off to an interesting start Friday with huge contract deals, trades, and hurt feelings. Already some key players have switched teams while others remain on the market looking for their next big paycheck.

Overpaid

Albert Haynesworth DT -- Washington Redskins -- 7-yr $100m

The hot-tempered Haynesworth leaves Tennessee for the first time since high school after playing for the University of Tennessee and the Titans. Considered the most dominant defensive tackle in the game today, Haynesworth got paid like it, but the Redskins forgot a few facts besides his play. Haynesworth hasn't played a full season since his rookie year in 2002 and injuries have not been the only problem. In the new and stricter NFL, Haynesworth's anger is a liability. He has already been suspended five games for stomping on another player's face and was fined $5000 just this past season for unnecessary roughness. While his dominance and value on the field cannot be denied, his injury woes and anger problem are worrisome, especially for a seven year deal.

DeAngelo Hall CB -- Washington Redskins -- 6-yr $55m

Hall is coming off a so-so second half of the season for the Redskins after being released from the Raiders half way through. Hall is a tremendous athlete who is considered a Pro Bowl players when he's on his game. However, in the last two years, his drama has exceeded his skills, which got him run out of Atlanta and Oakland in the last two years. The Redskins on the other hand see young talent that can be molded into one of the best cornerbacks in the league. Unfortunately, they're paying him like he's already one of the best.

Dan Orlovsky QB -- Houston Texans -- 3-yr $9.15m

This deal is not as bad as it looks until one realizes how much better the other options on the market are. Still available are above average QBs such as J.P. Losman, Byron Leftwich, or Chris Simms. All three of those quarterbacks are proven starters who have actually won games for the their teams. Leftwich and Simms have even taken their teams to the playoffs. Despite these facts, the Texans decided upon the undrafted, four year veteran Orlovsky. To remind people, his claim to fame is running out of the back of the end zone, resulting in a two point loss for the winless Detroit Lions. He blew the Lion's best option to avoid an 0-16 season. This man almost single-handily created history. Orlovsky lost every game he started last season and never recorded a passer rating over 100. I guess a deal worth over three million per year is in order.

Chris Canty DE/DT -- New York Giants -- 6-yr $42m

Canty comes over from the Dallas, a team the Giants have play twice a season, so they know the player they are getting. Canty is a good player who can really help the Giants' defense, but the fact the he is now the highest defensive end on the New York Giants sets off a few bells. Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, and Mathias Kiwanuka cannot be very happy about the fact that someone with all of three sacks last year is now getting paid more than they are but I guess that's a situation they'll have to deal with

Underpaid

Bart Scott -- LB -- New York Jets -- 6-yr $48m

New Head Coach and former Ravens' Defensive Coordinator started the offseason strong, reeling in one of the best linebackers in the game today. Scott was amazingly effective in the Ravens' defensive scheme and should continue to be in New York. Still in his prime at only 28, Scott should prove to be a game changer for the Jets and will provide some stability for Ryan as he tries to institute a new philosophy in New York.

Brian Dawkins -- S -- Denver Broncos -- 5-yr $17m

While the length of the deal may be a little strange, considering Dawkins is already 35 years old, his strength and skills are undeniable. Dawkins was the defensive player of the month in December, showing that his hard hitting style of play has not worn out yet. The Broncos did not make the postseason last year purely because of their defense, so anything can help. Getting one of the best leaders and defensive players of the last ten years will prove to be smart on the Broncos' part.

Michael Boley -- LB -- New York Giants -- 5-yr $25m

The Giants nabbed an athletic and fast linebacker that will be sure to fit well in their high pressure, blitzing style of play. Boley had an average season last year in Atlanta, but has proven himself in previous years as a solid linebacker who can make tackles and force turnovers. He is only 26, so he is almost at his prime and can help the Giants in future years.

Other Thoughts

The more information that comes out about the Matt Cassel trade to the Kansas City Chiefs, the stranger the story becomes. First the Patriots get completely ripped off, giving the Chiefs a potential franchise QB and Mike Vrabel, a leader who has been a vital member of the New England organization, for a second round draft pick. Then it comes out that the Broncos were willing to part with their 12th overall pick for Cassel and would have traded Jay Cutler to the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. Did NE Head Coach Bill Belichick pass up on a much better deal just to spite a former assistant in Josh McDaniels, the new Broncos coach? Or did he do a friend a favor by giving former Patriots executive Scott Pioli a present in a QB? The story is fishy and everyone except the Chiefs seems to come out worse than they were. 

Speaking of the Broncos and Jay Cutler, Denver may have cost themselves the best young QB in the game today. Cutler is a pro bowler in just his third season and has proven himself to be a good QB with even better potential. McDaniel's willingness to trade Cutler in favor of the less proven Cassel hurt Cutler's feelings and confidence in the Broncos and now he apparently wants out. If McDaniels does not shut down the growing anger in Cutler, his debut season may be over before it started.

Will Kurt Warner just admit its all about the money? The ultra religious, 37-yr QB who just led his team to a Super Bowl loss has yet to agree on a contract with the Arizona Cardinals even though both parties seem to very much want the other. The Cardinals have supposedly offered $10-12m but that doesn't seem to be enough for Warner who is demanding payment for both the future and the past. While every player wants money, and there is no harm in that, Warner needs to stop pretending to be all about the game and just come out with the truth. 

-A.S.