New NHL/ Rookies in the NHL

[Naples39]

So what? What's the worst thing that is going to happen to him? I heard the same thing about Mario for years, especially in his early years, and also Jagr and they both ended up with 2 rings and countless awards.

Well perhaps Crosby will always have the golden child protection of Gretzky and Lemieux, but generally when a guy gets a reputation for diving, he stops getting calls that he otherwise would have. All it takes is for a player to be called for diving once for word to spread amongst the league officials and get on the proverbial s*** list.

[10spro]

Wha a beauty of a goal by Crosby against Phi. Air pass from Lemieux to LeClair, a no look backhand to #87 and from his knees, he roofs it upstairs. Beauty. Pitt-Phi is becoming slowly the rivalry of yesteryears.

[BasketballJones]

You Philly guys crying about Crosby diving obviously never saw Bobby Clarke play. He was tough as nails but if someone sneezed he'd go down, wild hair and all. Nothing but a head game started by Clarke. Old school hockey; feel the stick go down.

Lemieux isn't a diver and when he does he is terrible at it. Forsberg, Jagr, Gretzky, Yzerman (the diving king). There is an art to diving related to the style of skating and the correct way to fall and it doesn't fit Marios style or many big guys for that matter.

[Leebo33]

All it takes is for a player to be called for diving once for word to spread amongst the league officials and get on the proverbial s*** list.

Do you have any examples of players that would fall under that category? I would bet that the players that "dive" a lot are still among the league leaders in penalties drawn. I'm not sure if they keep stats on that stuff, but I saw it with my own eyes with Jagr. The kid had the strength to fend off 3 players at one time, but yet would fall down 3 or 4 times a game...some dives, many legit. He still drew a ton of penalites.

[Sully]

Honestly, who gives a rat's ass if the kid dives? Is it annoying? Yeah, but sadly, it's part of the game. He was taking on 2 defenders last night, saw the puck coming off of his stick, and dropped to the ice before Rathje's stick even touched him. That's a heads up play if you ask me.

[pk500]

So I guess the play last weekend against the Flyers in which Crosby had two teeth chipped due to a high stick was a dive, too?

I might listen to Forsberg's complaints about the dives, as he's a great player. But when Derian Hatcher moans, those are the complaints of a guy completely caught out by the "new NHL" because a wooly mastodon skates better than that guy, so skilled players like Crosby make him look bad.

Take care,
PK

[Sully]

So I guess the play last weekend against the Flyers in which Crosby had two teeth chipped due to a high stick was a dive, too?

I might listen to Forsberg's complaints about the dives, as he's a great player. But when Derian Hatcher moans, those are the complaints of a guy completely caught out by the "new NHL" because a wooly mastodon skates better than that guy, so skilled players like Crosby make him look bad.

Take care,
PK

If we're talking about the same play, the high stick on Crosby was incidental. Hatcher stood Sid up as he crossed the blueline, along the boards. His gloves got up into Crosby's face, but as he was going down, their arms and sticks got tied up...and he caught Sid across the face.

Was it a penalty? It's questionable. You could make a good argument for it both ways. However, the play Hatcher made on Sid was no different than the play a Pens' D-man (can't remember who) made on Gagne last night.

[Leebo33]

Is it annoying? Yeah, but sadly, it's part of the game.

It's part of most sports. How many times have you seen a WR act like he was molested on an incomplete pass and make the flag throwing motion? God, that happens at least a handful of times a game. How many times does Allen Iverson "dive" in a game or flail his arms like he was shot?

The only thing that matters is if the guy is on your team or not. Flyers fans and their announcers act like only players on other teams do it. That's ridiculous.

[Sully]

Is it annoying? Yeah, but sadly, it's part of the game.

It's part of most sports. How many times have you seen a WR act like he was molested on an incomplete pass and make the flag throwing motion? God, that happens at least a handful of times a game. How many times does Allen Iverson "dive" in a game or flail his arms like he was shot?

The only thing that matters is if the guy is on your team or not. Flyers fans and their announcers act like only players on other teams do it. That's ridiculous.

I did get a chuckle out the Flyers' announcers referring to Crosby as Sid Louganis.

[Leebo33]

I did get a chuckle out the Flyers' announcers referring to Crosby as Sid Louganis.

[Diablo25]

I love Steve Coates...big time homer but thats why I like him

[Feanor]

Crosby better watch it because his reputation for diving stretches beyond Philadelphia.

So what? What's the worst thing that is going to happen to him? I heard the same thing about Mario for years, especially in his early years, and also Jagr and they both ended up with 2 rings and countless awards.

They have new rules for repeat divers now that they didn't have years ago. You can be fined and even suspended for it now.

[Diablo25]

Crosby better watch it because his reputation for diving stretches beyond Philadelphia.

So what? What's the worst thing that is going to happen to him? I heard the same thing about Mario for years, especially in his early years, and also Jagr and they both ended up with 2 rings and countless awards.

They have new rules for repeat divers now that they didn't have years ago. You can be fined and even suspended for it now.

Many are saying that Crosby would have been fined already if he weren't, well, Crosby.

[Feanor]

Yeah, like Steve Avery.

[10spro]

Yeah, like Steve Avery.

Sad. Because if he kept his mouth shut, he's a good player and can contribute a lot to his team.