NHL Stars of Today : When Does Great Become Just Good?

[GuysGirl]

What happens when we stop comparing the young starts of today to the greats that played before them? Do these young stars become great or just good?

A new generation of hockey has come, like it or not; and with this new generation of young, hard-driven stars, the was the Greats that came before them like Orr, Howe, Gretzky and Lemieux that laid the foundation of what a hockey player has become today.

Two of today's best, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, have been the players to watch over the past 4 years. With skills unmatched, these 2 guys have left many people to pick their jaw up off the floor in amazement of the mind blowing plays and talent that they posses. Although both play forward, Crosby and Ovechkin vary greatly in style of play.

Ovechkin being a natural goal scorer can also play the other side of the puck. He has become very disciplined in the defensive zone and plays a key role in the penalty kill. Ovie, (Ovechkin's nickname) is not afraid to throw the body around and in the corners to muck it up.

Sid "the kid" Crosby has a gift to pass the puck threw traffic and hit the tape of his teammate with ease. His vision on the ice cannot be matched by players of today's game but his natural talent makes every one of his teammates better.

Having noted off several gifts these 2 players posses its hard to forget that these guys also play in an era as the Greats. In today's game, the clutching and grabbing, two-line offsides and hooking have all been taken out of the game. Gretzky put up more than 200 points in 4 different years. Ovechkin's highest point total in one season came last year with 112 while Crosby's highest point total year came in the 05-06 season topping out at 120 points. We can only imagine of what Gretzky and Lemiume could have accomplished if they played in the "New NHL".

Right now it would be considered blasphemy to mention Crosby and Ovechkin in the same breath as Gretzky. Although both players will most likely make it to the Hockey Hall of Fame, one word comes to mind when I picture Gretzky playing today:

Unreachable.