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Crosby didn't lead the playoffs in points.
Zetterberg had 27 points as well
Crosby with 21 assists and +7
Zetterberg with 13 goals 14 assists and +16 with 2 SHG and he averaged more ice time.
that is why Syd didn't win the Conn Symthe.

Sure Crosby was the better playing during the regular season but clearly Zetterberg was the better player at both ends of the ice during the playoffs and dominated game 6.

I respectfully disagree. Zetterberg had a great playoff yes. But he really racked up the points against the the AHL Av's. They were missing Forsberg, Sakic, Stastny & Wolski. Crosby would've racked up even more playing against that pathetic squad. Based on PPG, Crosby had the better playoff and thereby wins the Conn Smythe based on "My System".

Also. Therrien's decision to play Crosby less is out of Sid's hands. That makes his point total in less games all the more impressive!

Oh, Crosby didn't lead the playoffs in points? Cause last I checked, a tie still counts as the lead, albeit a shared one at that. Don't forget the most important thing about this "shared" lead though...Crosby did it in less games. Also, you prove that Crosby was the better playoff player when you mentioned that Zetterberg had more ice time. How is it he couldn't get more points than Crosby with more games AND more ice time per game?

Oh, by the way? Why didn't Crosby get more ice time if he was so great in the playoffs ? What the matter, the young kid couldn't handle the pressure?
Or maybe the coach felt he wouldn't be much help if he played more, or he just wanted to keep his stats up because he new it was a lost cause, and they would lose to Detroit anyway.

Sydney is that you? Did you write this article? If Sydney Crosby didn't write this article than somebody has a serious man-boy crush on him. Conn Smythe Winner - Zetterberg (Sounds nice to say doesn't it?) was by far the best player in the playoffs and he was also on the WINNING team. Don't worry Sydney - the NHL still thinks the whole game is about you.

Shamrock - you sound like you have a crush on Sydney as well. I don't care what system anybody uses, you sound like you have some tender and effeminate feelings for Crosby.

This is the mindless drivel we all come to expect from Penquin fans.

They still think idiot Bettman should have let Cindy take the Cup for test drive before He Gave it to Lidstrom.

More Ice time is significant when being considered for the Conn Symthe. It means Zetterberg is a player that can be trusted to play at an elite level in all situations including the PK and that is the only reason Zetterberg had the slight edge in minutes. Your right that it isn't Crosby's fault that he doesn't play the PK. That is Therriens fault for limiting his best players ice time. It shows he isn't the two-way player Zetterberg is.

For the record the Colorado excuse is pretty lame. Zetterberg had 8 points that series. Crosby also had 8 points against an injured senators club. Not sure about "your system" but when you look at their playoff stats as a whole Zetterberg wins every time.

I know that it's not "politically" correct to say - but I don't think Sydney played that great against Detroit. I thought Hossa was Pitts best player. I have seen a lot of players play - including Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Guy LaFleuer, and Maurice Richard. I am really not that impressed with Corsby. In today's game - Zetterberg is the prototypical great player..I'll explain. In todays game - with the cap - it becomes more important to have players who can play in any situation - not just offense. Crosby is a great marketing tool to sell the game - especially as the league tries to stabilize a franchise in Pittsburgh that has almost folded three times in the last decade. And personally I think he complains a bit too much. Hockey players shouldn't whine - just play the game like it was supposed to be played - I wish he was a bit tougher. By the way - I am an old Montreal Canadian fan - so my I think I am more objective than Wings and Pens fans. I hate to say it, but I would love to see Zetterberg as a Hab before Crosby!

Remember Zetterberg's age & experience level. He had many growing pains and playoff blunders before he developed into the player he is today. This is only Sid's third year and he tied for points with a seasoned veteran. Crosby's defence is underrated. Another coach would have him playing on the PK. TSN hockey experts made the same conclusion. How will #87 be at #40's age? After six years? I think better. So good, so fast will what's made Crosby great. No transition years of struggling.

Neither Crosby or Malkin have peaked yet. Who is saying Crosby won't be even better six years from now? So Zetterberg taking longer to develop plus Crosby's future potential means he should have won the conn symthe this year even though he under performed? I even lost my self on that one. As for Crosby playing two less games and getting just as many points, I ask why stop there? Its almost like he played four less games when you consider Zetterberg's line shutting down Crosby's two COMPLETE games in a row.

My only follow up is that Zetterberg makes $2.6M - Crosby $8.9M. Crosby has been anointed and paid as the greatest player in the NHL with little to no basis for such an assertion. I think Crosby is a great player - And his age albeit a factor is not as much of a factor as you claim. Crosby came into the NHL at 17 because he was good enough to play - it's that simple. And the writer of this blog seems to think he should have won the Conn Smythe. Again - it comes down to this for me. I don't think Crosby should have won the Conn Smythe because he is Crosby. Zetterberg was the best player in the NHL playoffs. Will Crosby get better? Maybe, but that remains to be seen - I'll direct your attention to another anointed one - Eric Lindros whom people argued should have won the Conn Smythe when Philly got swept in 97'. And finally the thing that ultimately turns me off about Crosby is that he complains an awful lot, makes a lot of excuses, and doesn't seem to recognize the value of any other player and/or team in the league beyond himself. His hockey skills are fine, it's his maturity and arrogance that I detest.

I understand your Eric Lindros analogy. But they're two different types of players. Lindros ran around like a freight train running people over. His style of play led to the injuries that short-circuited his career. Also. Crosby is more of a complete player who goes all out all the time. Eric didn't. #87 leads by example at both ends. #88 didn't. Eric doesn't have Sid's desire to excell. He was inconsistant & had awful contract distractions. His dad the agent and Bobby Clarke had a nasty fued. Clarke even was quoted saying "Shut up and play you big baby." Crosby wouldn't do that. He shuts up and plays.

I admire your enthusiasm as a fan, but for someone to win the Conn Smythe on the losing team they have to far outshine any other player. Crosby tied the Conn Smythe winner for points, thus not outshining him. And I don't think anyone stood out more in the finals than Zetterberg did. He made big plays, played great defense, twice helped kill a 5 on 3, including that important tying up of Crosby, and scored the Cup clincher. Crosby surely took over game 3, but when your team gets shut out the first two games you are not going to be thought of as making a huge impact.

Sure, I think Crosby has room to grow and can be great. I also think that his defense is not noticed much. Of course he could also keep at this pace, having reached his height. We'll see. The Pens looked unstoppable up to the Cup, and then Detroit was the better team. And Hank was the better player. No knock on Crosby, just how it went.

And you should know it was Franzen that did the damage against the Avs. Hank did his against Dallas. Not sure of how the point breakdown went per series, but most of Hank's big plays came at the expense of the Stars.

First off, Lindros went through an age in hockey were it was ok to slash and hook a player. Were Defensemen could actually play defence infront of the goal, ask Mark Recci. You dared skate with your head down, you got your arse handed to you. The NHL back then, D-men ate up young pups, to even compare Lindros to Crosby is an insult. Of course Lindros was a cry baby, I root for a team that traded alot of potential core players for him.
What makes me laugh about this article is that your comparing someone that was drafted in the 7th round pick 210th to someone that was basically breaking all of Gretzky's records before he even stepped 1 foot on the ice. Crosby got more press coverage during his draft year than Zetterberg has in all his years.
You know what, I'd be jaded too if I knew what I lost when I traded for "rent a player" Marian Hossa. Esposito would've been a great addition to the team. I think the Crosby Machine needs another quarter.

The Gretzky comparison is a joke. He'll never come close to breaking the records. Smaller pads, wide-open play, different less-defence era & a Hall Of Fame team all contributed to those records. Gretzky can rest assured. The only one with a prayer was Super Mario. I commend you on bringing up Angelo Esposito. Though a natural center, Patrick Roy has been easing him into a wing role. I never liked the Hossa trade. Esposito could've played with Crosby for a decade. Young, talented, great skater and awesome passer. Esposito from Crosby. Crosby from Esposito would be music to my ears.

Sorry I'm so let into this one....somehow missed it.

Mike1966....relax before you blow a tube. Shamrock gave an honest opinion without DISRESPECTING anyone. Try giving him the same respect as your rebuttal was out-of-line.

If you don't like the fact that the NHL MAIN OFFICE put the crown on Sid's head as the face of the NHL then don't blame Sid. He had nothing to do with it. As a KID HIS AGE he has done a hell of a job with the PR for the ENTIRE ELAGUE. What were YOU doing at his age? He's a great talent and does not deserve the disrespect of moronic nicknames and other crap thrown his way.

Shamrock....nice blog.