NHL Head to Head: Crosby VS Giroux
By Greg Thornberry
On the eve of the lockout, we begin a new series where we present you with two players, and you pick which one you would rather have on your team.
Today we ask if you were building a team from the ground up, who would you rather build your team around, Sidney Crosby, or Claude Giroux? When the conversation comes up of who is the greatest player in the world, both of these guys come up.
We have supplied some info below to help you make your choice but these lists are anything but all-inclusive, and some attributes you can’t put on paper.
Please let us know who you pick in the comments below.
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Pick away!
Sidney Crosby:
Pros:
- Runner Up for Rookie of the Year to Alex Ovechkin.
- Until recently was the youngest captain in NHL history.
- Won Ted Lindsay (MVP as voted by players) in 2007
- Won Art Ross (scoring champion) in 2007.
- Won the Hart Trophy (MVP) in 2007.
- Won Art Ross (scoring champion) in 2007.
- Won Stanley Cup in 2009.
- Won Rocket Richard (goal scoring) 2010.
- Won Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2010
- Scored Game winning goal in OT to win Olympic gold for Canada in 2010.
- Won an ESPY for Best NHL Player 4 years in a row 2007 – 2010.
- Has played 434 NHL games with 223 goals, 386 assists.
- Career +/- of +80.
- Has scored 28 GWG.
Cons:
- Serious concussion issues that has cost him significant playing time and makes people hold their breath every time he takes a hit.
- Labeled early on as diver and a whiner.
Claude Giroux:
Pros:
- Has broken out as a true superstar.
- Graced the cover of EA’s NHL 2013.
- A player that makes everyone else around him better.
- Helped revitalize the career of Jaromir Jagr as a linemate.
- Most awards were obtained at a non NHL level, but the hardware will soon flow.
- Stepped up to lead the team after Jeff Carter and Mike Richards were traded.
- NHL All Star in 2011 and 2012.
- Has played 285 NHL games scoring 78 goals and 165 assists.
- Has a career +/- of + 25.
- Has 12 career GWG.
- Finished 3rd in scoring race in 2012.
- Scored the most goals in the 2012 playoffs (8).
Cons:
Does not quite have the pedigree of Crosby nor has he ever lived in Mario Lemieux’s house, but this kid is destined for great things.
Two amazing players that any team would be lucky to have. Please try to put your team allegiance aside and pick the player for a pure hockey standpoint. I know that it will not be hard because Pens fans and Flyers fans love each other.
Until next time…..
Photos by jmd41280 and clydeorama flickr.com
