GENE'S BLOG: Connor vs. Crosby

When the schedule comes out in the summer, there are certain games you, as they say, circle on your calendar. There could be a specific reason or a more general one. It might be a case of having the chance to see a player you enjoy watching, maybe it's the squad you grew up cheering for as a kid, or maybe you're headed to Oil Country for work and want to mix in some pleasure.
It could even be a rival team, where you and a buddy make a night out of it by cheering against each other. These could be a few of the reasons and there might be more. However, there are games that get circled with a non-erasable marker because you aren't changing your mind about wanting to see it. I would put Edmonton and Pittsburgh in that category.
There are two specific reasons for it:
1. Connor McDavid
2. Sidney Crosby
They are the two players who fall under the category of "generational talents".

Neither Crosby nor McDavid has failed, in any way, to live up to the HUGE billing of being once-in-a-generation players. Instead, it's a hockey blessing they came along twice in a decade, arriving just 10 years apart. It's amazing to see how these two are constantly compared to each other.
Both were drafted first overall after junior stardom in the Canadian Hockey League. Before that came those home videos of them as little seven, eight, and nine-year-old players. One is from Coal Harbour, Nova Scotia and the other is from Newmarket, Ontario. They were compared as kids and now the comparisons continue as men.
It's interesting to see them compared because of their Canadian heritage, draft status, their centreman position, and the big breath of belief they instilled in two great franchises who needed someone to set the tone for success. Those are a few examples of what connects Connor and Sidney.
Yet, when you watch them take to the ice, it's a different game with similar results. Sidney is lower to the ground, a powerful skater who is a tireless worker that doesn't give up. Connor makes things look easier, even if they aren't, and has a skating skill that has never been seen before. What they have in common is a burning desire to succeed, meticulousness in their preparation, commitment to their craft, and a willingness to sacrifice for the betterment of their squad.
The individual accolades are many. Sidney has won two of each of the following: Art Ross Trophy, Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award. Connor has countered with three Art Ross wins, just as many Ted Lindsay honours, and two Hart Trophy victories.

Sid has six 100-point seasons while Connor has five. Being 10 years younger, it's very likely McDavid will soon catch and pass Crosby when it comes to individual awards and achievements, but it's the team awards where the Oilers captain wants to catch up to his Penguins counterpart.
We hear it all the time from McDavid. He's "been there, done that" regarding all those awards which only have his name on them. He wants the one that has the entire team on it -- Lord Stanley.
It's the Stanley Cup that drives and motivates the 25-year-old to be like the 35-year-old he's often compared to on the ice. The Pittsburgh Penguins have three Crosby Cup wins in 2009, 2016 and 2017. Connor wants just as many to share with his teammates and the city of Edmonton.
They are the faces of their franchises and the sport of hockey in North America and around the world. Both have carried themselves and the game to new heights -- striving to achieve greatness and succeeding. Tuesday night in Pittsburgh won't be the last time they meet, but the McDavid-Crosby rivalry is closer to the end than the beginning. Let's enjoy it while we can.