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Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:58 am EDT

Crosby/Ovechkin debate rages on: NHL 09 player ratings released

By Greg Wyshynski

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby has more offensive awareness (99) than Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals (95). He's also faster, more agile, a better passer, more disciplined, and has the same slap-shot accuracy and power. (Ed. Note: My sleepy, pre-coffee eyes misread the shot power numbers. Ovechkin is at 90; Crosby is at 88. Still a little too close.) Ovechkin is, of course, tougher; and has better poise than Crosby (thanks, Mike Richards).

We know all of this because IGN has bestowed upon puckheads today's great time-sucker: The player ratings for EA Sports NHL 09.

No overall ratings, i.e. the beauty contest, but they have the team-by-team breakdown for every NHL roster. Knowing the Puck Daddy readership's preferences, a few quick references: Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs (Sundin is on the roster ... hmmmm) and the Vancouver Canucks.

So let the debates rage! Ryane Clowe has as much aggressive as Joe Thornton? Eric Staal is the same speed as Tim Gleason? Wade Belak has the same level of balance as Peter Forsberg? And, of course, Cristobal Huet vs. The Bulin Wall!

Related: Hockey Fans, Crosby vs. Ovechkin vs. Malkin

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73 Comments

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  1. Backhanded Complement
    1. Posted by Backhanded Complement Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:20 pm EDT

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    More awareness, better passer, more discipline... sure. Same slap shot accuracy and power? Ridiculuous.
  2. Deadmarsh
    2. Posted by Deadmarsh Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:12 pm EDT

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    Holy cats! They rate Bulin better than Huet? The Blackhawks better start shopping Huet...
  3. Grandjeanius
    3. Posted by Grandjeanius Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:12 pm EDT

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    There's no way that Sid is more aware than Ovie.. I'm no expert, but in the many games that I've watched I don't see that as a noticeable difference between the guys...
  4. Grandjeanius
    4. Posted by Grandjeanius Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:12 pm EDT

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    there's no way that sid is more aware than ovie.. i'm no expert, but in the many games that i've watched i don't see that as a noticeable difference between the guys... is there any statistic for diving? :)
  5. .
    5. Posted by . Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:21 pm EDT

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    ovie doesn't have the vision that sid has(not even close), so i don't understand the whining about sid's awareness being than ovie's.
  6. General ZOd
    6. Posted by General ZOd Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    these are always so inaccurate.. I ususally go in and adjust everyones stats.. lol!
  7. Tacks
    7. Posted by Tacks Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    To 5 - maybe Crosby has a 107 in shotblocking so he inadvertently drops all the time?
  8. Hyphen
    8. Posted by Hyphen Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:24 pm EDT

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    I apologize for the double post, stupid Yahoo!.
  9. jimmy jam
    9. Posted by jimmy jam Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:06 pm EDT

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    crosby slapshot power should be like 80 and ovechkin 99. and accuracy should also be given to ovechkin. everything else...i'm fine with.
  10. Kenneth S
    10. Posted by Kenneth S Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:34 pm EDT

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    I know the difference....Ovechkin in leauge MVP and Crosby is not.
  11. Kenneth S
    11. Posted by Kenneth S Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:34 pm EDT

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    oh yeah and rookie of the year too
  12. Geoffrey S
    12. Posted by Geoffrey S Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:37 pm EDT

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    Umm, Crosby won the Hart Trophy before Ovechkin did, and if he wins the next one he'll have 2 at a younger age than Ovechkin got his first. Unless you consider ankle strength when crashing awkwardly into the boards to be a vital statistic, judging the 2 overall based on what happened last year is silly.
  13. Hank
    13. Posted by Hank Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:23 pm EDT

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    you guys do realize youre arguing over video game ratings right?
  14. Jon H
    14. Posted by Jon H Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    Both guys have their strengths. But, Crosby does have a higher shooting percentage so I don't know why so many people are saying Ovie has a more accurate shot.
  15. sefskillz
    15. Posted by sefskillz Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:12 pm EDT

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    the preds roster certainly looks a little thin missing radulov
  16. Bradzester
    16. Posted by Bradzester Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    Of course Crosby is more aware than Ovie he's a center you have to be.........
  17. kevin s
    17. Posted by kevin s Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm EDT

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    This debate will go on as long as they,re both playing . Drop it already!!! GO PENS!!!!!
  18. acardillac
    18. Posted by acardillac Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    Everyone should listen to Hank.
  19. .
    19. Posted by . Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:21 pm EDT

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    Ovechkin won the art ross and hart for the following reasons ( in order )
    1. a high ankle sprain
    2. see 1
    3. see 1
    4. see 1
    5. a wicked shot
  20. KJ
    20. Posted by KJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:52 pm EDT

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    Media loves the compare game - who cares? Both are great players although I would take Crosby for his smarts and skills over the bulky Ovie.
  21. Chief
    21. Posted by Chief Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:54 pm EDT

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    I'm with Hank on this one.......
    "you guys do realize youre arguing over video game ratings right?"
  22. Dewman
    22. Posted by Dewman Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    They obviously don't research this very much. They give big name players big stats. No way Datsyuk is an 80 in wrist shot power, Crosby is an 87 and Datsyuk is a way better shooter.
  23. Dewman
    23. Posted by Dewman Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:42 pm EDT

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    Also Datsyuk passing is a 94, while Crosby is a 99. I guess Datsyuk needs to do more of those spin-o-rama passes to no one to get to 99 in passing. Seriously, these guys only watch Crosby and Ovechkin so they don't really know anyone else.
  24. oviemvp
    24. Posted by oviemvp Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

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    Since the Crosby/Ovechkin debate has resurfaced - again - let me say I'll be equally impressed with Crosby when he gets the Richard, Ross, Hart & Pearson awards simultaneously. They give out 2 assists for every goal so of course he racks up points. Ovie can do both & scoring 65 goals is remarkable!
    If you compare stats, Ovie averaged slightly more points per game than Crosby, so the high ankle sprain doesn't necessarily negate his achievements this season.
  25. Sombrero Guy
    25. Posted by Sombrero Guy Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    I'll buy Crosby as having a little more offensive awareness and passing ability. anything that has to do with shooting shouldn't even be close, nor should overall speed.
    One aspect that Crosby definitely surpasses Ovechkin is the ability to rack up phantom secondary assists. EG Crosby to Malkin, Malkin to Gonchar, Gonchar to Malkin. Malkin back to Gonchar, Gonchar scroes! Assists to Malkin and Crosby.

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