July 20, 2005
Where Do I Want To See Sidney Crosby End Up?
In response to Ben Wright's question, on what's the best outcome for the league when it comes to the first stop in the NHL career of Sidney Crosby, I've run through all the outcomes I cared to examine in the order of their benefit to the league. Feel free to add your own.
SIDNEY CROSBY, SUPERSTAR: New York, Boston, Chicago or LA -- As an Islanders fan, I've always been on board with anything that might hamstring their rivals on Manhattan. But as an adult hockey fan, I know that Crosby winding up with the Rangers could be great for the sport -- probably helping the league to land a deal with ESPN. Chicago gives me the willies too, as I can't stand the idea of Bill Wirtz getting his mitts on this kid. Which leaves LA, where Sid will be hobnobbing with the Hollywood elite, or Boston, where he can be the heir to Bobby Orr. Not bad options, all good for hockey.
LEAFS, HABS OR CANUCKS: Part of me suspects that many of my Canadian readers will favor this outcome. After all, we small minded Americans couldn't possibly appreciate just how great Crosby really is, and the only place where he'll feel that sort of intense adulation is in Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal. And as far as I'm concerned, this outcome is better than seeing him land in a host of other U.S.-based cities.
ANYWHERE ELSE IN CANADA: The first line that will be written if Crosby lands in Ottawa, Calgary or Edmonton is how the fans there ought to enjoy Crosby while they can, because it's inevitable that he'll flee south as a free agent once he turns 25, and leave Canada just like Gretzky did when he was traded to LA.
DALLAS, COLORADO, DETROIT, PHILLY, MINNESOTA, ST LOUIS, TAMPA BAY: All good hockey towns with solid and enthusiastic fan bases, the folks in all these cities will appreciate Crosby for the incredible talent that he is. Unfortunately, landing in any of these places won't have anywhere near the league-wide impact Gary Bettman and Company are hoping for, though I suspect that ESPN would have to think about another cable package if Detroit or Colorado lucks out.
DISCIPLE OF THE GREAT ONE: Phoenix -- With only two roster spots open, but $10.6 million to spend, Crosby would fit in nicely with the crew in Glendale, as the superstar rookie would learn under the tutelage of the legend who was also a rookie coach. Tell me that's not on the cover of Sports Illustrated come October (which could also work if he lands with the Kings instead).
SAVIOR OF THE SOUTHEAST: Carolina, Florida, Washington, Atlanta -- If it weren't for Tampa Bay, the Southeast Division would be hockey's "Sick man of Europe." And the division's also-rans that I've listed above, are all going to have a very difficult time surviving in markets where they were all struggling mightily at the box office. Drop Crosby here and you save a franchise, and set up rivalries with champs Tampa Bay and a rapidly maturing Atlanta squad. As an added bonus, all those extra games against division opponents won't be dogs anymore, helping every other team in the Southeast.
THE MARIO EFFECT: Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Nashville, Columbus, Anaheim -- Everybody knows that without Mario Lemieux, the Pittsburgh Penguins would have relocated or folded long ago. If Crosby gets to any of these places, he'll save a franchise, and obtain a foothold for hockey in a city where a franchise desperately needs a boost. Just don't expect it to help the rest of the league.
WHO CARES?: San Jose or New Jersey -- Just far enough away from a major market to make things painful for the league. And in New Jersey, Lou Lamoriello will either ship the kid to Albany, or have him start his career as a fourth-line center, a possibility too terrible to contemplate.
SELFISH OPTION: NY Islanders. Enough said.
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Columbus doesn't need Crosby to save the franchise and give it a foothold. It certainly does not "desperately need a boost." Rick Nash does that just fine. We do, however, certainly need him on the ice.
Posted by:
at July 20, 2005 02:52 PM
If the Devils got the rights to the pick, I'd expect Lamoriello to have a nice little auction, and wind up with something like 5 draft picks and 2 players.
Posted by:
at July 20, 2005 03:35 PM
San Jose is a big hockey blogger market. Heh.
Posted by:
at July 20, 2005 05:51 PM
Eric, I love you in a completely hetero way, but how do Chicago and Boston have leaguewide impact over Philly and (especially) Detroit? Don't they call it Hockeytown for a reason?
Posted by:
at July 21, 2005 03:26 PM
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