All Hockey talk all the time

wprager wrote:

hemlock34 wrote:First off, I'm not a Crosby fan (well I don't hate him but I see where others might), but this confirms for me that Semin is a no class punk. The kid isn't even in Crosby's league. The stats don't lie. Crosby has 23 played more NHL games and has 154 more points. Kane, while a great player, isn't either. Exciting or not, Crosby gets it done, and even his whining, which has been the knock on him, has slowed.

Semin should worry about himself and getting his team into the playoffs than taking unsolicited potshots at already proven superstars. Someone coming off a whopping 42 point season has no business running his manpleaser off about a player who had a 1.35 PPG average. My respect for this kid just dropped considerably. Ovechkin is ten times the player this kid is, and has enough brains to say all the right things in public, despite the media's obsession with creating a rivalry between the two. Semin may be leading the league after a whole 9 games, but I've got $20 that says he isn't by 82 games.

Hee-hee. I touched a nerve! Well, not me directly, but ...

I say that Semin is stirring the pot while AO is away, and it's all good. Next time those two teams get togehter, look out. I'm sure Therrien will have the article pinned in the dressing room. Maybe Semin is aiming at being the Russian Finn (in reference to the splending poop-disturbers from that Northern European country).

It's good for the sports-beat writers and great for the gate. With quotes like that, you're sure to see more in the future, as they'll flock to him for more (especially while AO is away).

Oh it's great for reporters, but he is out of line in my opinion. I just have very little respect for guys that do that. What is he expecting to accomplish? Like a fire under his team considering the pathetic head to head record vs the Pens in the last few years? I just don't get it.

hemlock34 wrote:Oh it's great for reporters, but he is out of line in my opinion. I just have very little respect for guys that do that. What is he expecting to accomplish? Like a fire under his team considering the pathetic head to head record vs the Pens in the last few years? I just don't get it.

Oh, come on! Surely you're not taking it seriously. Sid the Kid is 3 years into his career and already he's got more endorsement deals than likely anyone prior to him has had over an entire career, has been made Captain and received at least one undeserved award. That and his salary should be enough for anyone to hate him. True, he's cut down on the whining, but not all that much. He still whines and it's only been a year since he whined too much. I've got a long memory.

wprager wrote:

hemlock34 wrote:Oh it's great for reporters, but he is out of line in my opinion. I just have very little respect for guys that do that. What is he expecting to accomplish? Like a fire under his team considering the pathetic head to head record vs the Pens in the last few years? I just don't get it.

Oh, come on! Surely you're not taking it seriously. Sid the Kid is 3 years into his career and already he's got more endorsement deals than likely anyone prior to him has had over an entire career, has been made Captain and received at least one undeserved award. That and his salary should be enough for anyone to hate him. True, he's cut down on the whining, but not all that much. He still whines and it's only been a year since he whined too much. I've got a long memory.

which award are you talkin about? the Hart or LBP?

wprager wrote:

hemlock34 wrote:Oh it's great for reporters, but he is out of line in my opinion. I just have very little respect for guys that do that. What is he expecting to accomplish? Like a fire under his team considering the pathetic head to head record vs the Pens in the last few years? I just don't get it.

Oh, come on! Surely you're not taking it seriously. Sid the Kid is 3 years into his career and already he's got more endorsement deals than likely anyone prior to him has had over an entire career, has been made Captain and received at least one undeserved award. That and his salary should be enough for anyone to hate him. True, he's cut down on the whining, but not all that much. He still whines and it's only been a year since he whined too much. I've got a long memory.

LOL. You are getting confused now. It was SEMIN who made stupid remarks, not Crosby. How is Semin making comments the fault of Crosby? As far as any "undeserved" rewards, I can only assume you are talking about a Hart trophy or something of that nature, in which case it's voted on, by multiple people. Can't really call that a conspiracy or anything. And the comment about his salary???? You know as well as I do that he could have taken the max. He could have said to Mario and co. "I want a max for 15 years. Give it to me or I walk the minute I become UFA" He didn't. He took a lesser deal (granted not all that much less) to stay with the Pens. Funny, Malkin's contract is worth exactly that much, but noone sees it as a problem. There are others who are making just as much if not more. I guess by this logic we should all hate Briere, Malkin, Ovechkin et al.? That is a double standard about Crosby. What is he supposed to do? Say no to RBK offering him a deal worth the GNP of Belguim? No, of course not.

Tukker wrote:which award are you talkin about? the Hart or LBP?

Both, actually. I really think that a team has to have some success before you can award someone the Hart. As for the LBP, I didn't feel the love from the other playerstoward Sid, so I'm thinking it was the NHLPA more than the players.

wprager wrote:

Tukker wrote:which award are you talkin about? the Hart or LBP?

Both, actually. I really think that a team has to have some success before you can award someone the Hart. As for the LBP, I didn't feel the love from the other playerstoward Sid, so I'm thinking it was the NHLPA more than the players.

Whether he was worthy is open to debate for sure. Like I said, I am not a Crosby booster by any means. I just think it's immature of Semin to make those comments. I would be considerably more upset if he's picked another player. Just a little too Averyish for me.

hemlock34 wrote:

wprager wrote:

Tukker wrote:which award are you talkin about? the Hart or LBP?

Both, actually. I really think that a team has to have some success before you can award someone the Hart. As for the LBP, I didn't feel the love from the other playerstoward Sid, so I'm thinking it was the NHLPA more than the players.

Whether he was worthy is open to debate for sure. Like I said, I am not a Crosby booster by any means. I just think it's immature of Semin to make those comments. I would be considerably more upset if he's picked another player. Just a little too Averyish for me.

last time i heard, semin couldn't speak english to save his life. either he got good very quickly, or something was lost in translation

Why would he bother saying that? Diddle, play the game and thank your lucky stars that you lead the league in points. I don't get these guys that think they're the kings of the world when they lead the scoring race for a week or two. Prove you're better than Crosby then. Outscore him when the final stats are released in April, not in friggin November (or October when he actually said it).

I'll bet anyone anything, that when the final stats are out, Crosby has more points than Semin. Then what does that mean for Semin, that he's overrated?

Dumb.

504Heater wrote:Why would he bother saying that? Diddle, play the game and thank your lucky stars that you lead the league in points. I don't get these guys that think they're the kings of the world when they lead the scoring race for a week or two. Prove you're better than Crosby then. Outscore him when the final stats are released in April, not in friggin November (or October when he actually said it).

I'll bet anyone anything, that when the final stats are out, Crosby has more points than Semin. Then what does that mean for Semin, that he's overrated?

Dumb.

That's my point of view too. Also, the fact that it's a slam job on Crosby that was completely unsolicited annoys me to no end.

You said it was an immature comment? This isn't a grizzled vet we're talking about. Immaturity is to be expected. Not welcomed or even tolerated, but expected.

This was also done through a translator, so, as mentioned, this could have been coloured a bit by the translator's personal bias. For example, maybe All Semin meant to say was that there was just too much promotion for one player, and that it wasn't warranted -- you cannot argue with that. He hasn't revolutionzed the NHL like Orr and Gretzky did, he hasn't had rules changed to protect other teams (like ending the powerplay after a goal as was done for the Habs, or reducing the behind-the-goalline space for Gretzky). This is a kid who has played well enough to win some trophies (but not all) and he's got (hopefully) a long career ahead of him. Wll the fuss may be warranted at some point, but not yet.

Anyhow, Semin sais (mostly) what most of us are already thinking anyway. Possibly the translator had added his/her own opinion with a few carelessly chosen adjectives. I don't think that Semin meant to put himself ahead of Sid, but you'd better believe that the next time these two teams meet there will be more attention paid to Semin, which means AO will have less to deal with.

Averyish? Perhaps. But at least this kid (right now) can back it up with points. We'll see how this shakes out. I'm willing to cut him some slack for now.

wprager wrote:You said it was an immature comment? This isn't a grizzled vet we're talking about. Immaturity is to be expected. Not welcomed or even tolerated, but expected.

This was also done through a translator, so, as mentioned, this could have been coloured a bit by the translator's personal bias. For example, maybe All Semin meant to say was that there was just too much promotion for one player, and that it wasn't warranted -- you cannot argue with that. He hasn't revolutionzed the NHL like Orr and Gretzky did, he hasn't had rules changed to protect other teams (like ending the powerplay after a goal as was done for the Habs, or reducing the behind-the-goalline space for Gretzky). This is a kid who has played well enough to win some trophies (but not all) and he's got (hopefully) a long career ahead of him. Wll the fuss may be warranted at some point, but not yet.

Anyhow, Semin sais (mostly) what most of us are already thinking anyway. Possibly the translator had added his/her own opinion with a few carelessly chosen adjectives. I don't think that Semin meant to put himself ahead of Sid, but you'd better believe that the next time these two teams meet there will be more attention paid to Semin, which means AO will have less to deal with.

Averyish? Perhaps. But at least this kid (right now) can back it up with points. We'll see how this shakes out. I'm willing to cut him some slack for now.

We'll have to agree to disagree. I guess I'm expecting too much from this kid. He should know better at his age though. My issue isn't that Semin tried to put himself or anyone else ahead of Crosby. It's that these comments seemingly come out of nowhere. It's an unprovoked shot at Crosby from a guy who's done far less in his career. Just because he's tied for the lead in points after 9 games means nothing to me. We'll see where his is after 40 games or even 82. My guess is that he's nowhere near the league leader at season's end. Enjoy the spotlight now kid, cause when AO is back, you go straight back to being second fiddle, where you belong.

Like it or not, Crosby is the face of the league right now. Yes, there should be more promotion on the league's part to promote some of the other young talent. There are several players that deserve promotion more than Semin, and I guess that's my issue. You don't hear Malkin (obviously), Kopitar, Kane, Toews, Mueller, and others complaining about this.

The only people comparing Crosby to Gretzky is the media. It certainly isn't Crosby, who is quite humble when speaking to the media. I fail to see how Crosby himself should be faulted for this. Semin should be complaining about the media and the league...not Crosby.

Perhaps my calling it Averyish is a tad harsh, because that guy is the league biggest assclown. You are right though, we'll see how this shakes out, but I can't see any good coming from this from Semin's perspective. I just don't see how it helps him.

Actually, I'm probably not disagreeing as much as it comes across. My "personality" shining through, I'm sure

There are three things Semin said:

1. He didn't think there was anything special about Crosby when compared to other skillful players in the league. Specifically, he brought up Kane as an example of a more interesting player.

I disagree with this a bit, since I do think that Crosby is special. But, OK, that's an opinion. He thinks Kane (maybe others?) is a more interesting player.

2. He criticized how Crosby is being promoted.

Can't argue with that. I can't stand it either. Although when he says "dead wood" I really don't think he was referring to Crosby directly, but that's how it came across. I think he really was saying that if you hype a not-so-good player to an unreasonable extent you would have a "start". Possibly true, especially in non-hockey markets.

Then, when he adds "Especially if he gets 100 points". Well, he lost me right there. If someone gets 100 points he's not dead wood. But I see his popint about relying too much on stats. In the RSL (now KHL) and other European leagues, you don't get a point for the second assist, so players who get tons of assists are not leading the scoring race like they do here. There is a much higher emphasis on goals and skill, not just points.

So you have to project what he is saying through that "lens" to better understand his point.

3. His last poinr about someone scoring 50 goals by deflecting them in front of the net certainly was not aimed at Crosby. I actually don't agree with that point, but, again, think of what that would mean in Europe.

Over here, in the NHL, it takes a certain skill and determination to stand in front of 100+ MPH slapshots, while being hooked, slew-footed, hacked and cross-checked by both defensemen and goalies. Much of that is probably not happening over in Europe, and this young kid obviously doesn't understand that the Espositos, Bertuzzis (earlier) and Tocchets don't grow on trees.

Well said. I can't disagree. He's entitled to his opinion, and if he chooses to express it that's his business. I just don't see what he benefits from it, other than a bit of publicity.

hemlock34 wrote:Well said. I can't disagree. He's entitled to his opinion, and if he chooses to express it that's his business. I just don't see what he benefits from it, other than a bit of publicity.

Maybe Ovechkin was his translator

Semin-Я думаю, Кросби уделяется слишком много внимания (I think Crosby is given too much attention)

Ovechkin- Crosby is nothing special

Semin- Патрик Кейн, например, заслуживает более пристального внимания(Patrick Kane, for example, deserves more attention)

Ovechkin- Kane is a much better player

Semin- Это все, что я должен сказать (That is all I have to say)

Ovechkin- Ovechkin is God


:lol!:

Tukker wrote:Maybe Ovechkin was his translator

Semin-Я думаю, Кросби уделяется слишком много внимания (I think Crosby is given too much attention)

Ovechkin- Crosby is nothing special

Semin- Патрик Кейн, например, заслуживает более пристального внимания(Patrick Kane, for example, deserves more attention)

Ovechkin- Kane is a much better player

Semin- Это все, что я должен сказать (That is all I have to say)

Ovechkin- Ovechkin is God


:lol!:

Did you make that up? If so, where did you learn your Russian.

Wait a minute, the translation of the last sentence looks like a babelfishism or googlism. "have to" is translated as "must". Semin definitely would not say "That is all that I must say"... unless, of course, he's being mind-controlled by Ovechkin.

wprager wrote:

Tukker wrote:Maybe Ovechkin was his translator

Semin-Я думаю, Кросби уделяется слишком много внимания (I think Crosby is given too much attention)

Ovechkin- Crosby is nothing special

Semin- Патрик Кейн, например, заслуживает более пристального внимания(Patrick Kane, for example, deserves more attention)

Ovechkin- Kane is a much better player

Semin- Это все, что я должен сказать (That is all I have to say)

Ovechkin- Ovechkin is God


:lol!:

Did you make that up? If so, where did you learn your Russian.

Wait a minute, the translation of the last sentence looks like a babelfishism or googlism. "have to" is translated as "must". Semin definitely would not say "That is all that I must say"... unless, of course, he's being mind-controlled by Ovechkin.

I just used Google. I can't even speak French for Diddle 's sake. I have a hard enough time with English....

wprager wrote:Actually, I'm probably not disagreeing as much as it comes across. My "personality" shining through, I'm sure

There are three things Semin said:

1. He didn't think there was anything special about Crosby when compared to other skillful players in the league. Specifically, he brought up Kane as an example of a more interesting player.

I disagree with this a bit, since I do think that Crosby is special. But, OK, that's an opinion. He thinks Kane (maybe others?) is a more interesting player.

2. He criticized how Crosby is being promoted.

Can't argue with that. I can't stand it either. Although when he says "dead wood" I really don't think he was referring to Crosby directly, but that's how it came across. I think he really was saying that if you hype a not-so-good player to an unreasonable extent you would have a "start". Possibly true, especially in non-hockey markets.

Then, when he adds "Especially if he gets 100 points". Well, he lost me right there. If someone gets 100 points he's not dead wood. But I see his popint about relying too much on stats. In the RSL (now KHL) and other European leagues, you don't get a point for the second assist, so players who get tons of assists are not leading the scoring race like they do here. There is a much higher emphasis on goals and skill, not just points.

So you have to project what he is saying through that "lens" to better understand his point.

3. His last poinr about someone scoring 50 goals by deflecting them in front of the net certainly was not aimed at Crosby. I actually don't agree with that point, but, again, think of what that would mean in Europe.

Over here, in the NHL, it takes a certain skill and determination to stand in front of 100+ MPH slapshots, while being hooked, slew-footed, hacked and cross-checked by both defensemen and goalies. Much of that is probably not happening over in Europe, and this young kid obviously doesn't understand that the Espositos, Bertuzzis (earlier) and Tocchets don't grow on trees.

Very well said, can't really disagree with anything... Your definitely right about the Crosby marketing thing.. Sometimes it's just a little over the top... They should concentrate on promoting ALL of their stars... Not just Crosby.. But the Ovechkin's, Heatley's, Lecavalier's, Kovalchuk's etc...... They had those commercials for a while, of them in hotel rooms, where they used a lot of different players and not just Crosby.. They should keep up with that... I'm not so sure I like the new "picture"campaign...

Mornin' GMHockey faithful :D

How's things in the lounge? I see we're debating the whole Semin comment about Crosby. I honestly didn't find it all that noteworthy.