I am going to admit that I did not pay too much attention to Crosby when he was in Juniors. I'm more of a fan of the pro game, and since there was no realistic chance of him going to the Bruins in the draft, he wasn't on my radar. I didn't have time to concern myself with a teenage kid that would never suit up for my team. Therefore I cannot speak to his actions and perception by fans during his Junior days.
As a pro...
I think much (not all, mind you) of the hate lands on him because of the team he plays for. I hate the Canadiens so much that I should probably seek counseling; but my number 2 most hated team is the Pittsburgh Penguins. And a lot of other NHL fans hate the Pens, too. Ask around.
They just have a history of not being likable.
For example, tanking in 1984 to get Mario. There are people that still have that in their craw.
Then there's more recent drafting...
~2003 Marc-Andre Fleury # 1 overall.
~2004 Evgeni Malkin # 2 overall.
~2005 Sidney Crosby # 1 overall.
~2006 Jordan Staal # 2 overall.
Granted, Staal was drafted AFTER Crosby, but Sid still takes the heat anyway. Maybe the Pens really WERE that bad, but there's a lot of feeling that they tanked. A lot. By the time Crosby was drafted, Pittsburgh had two top two picks, and drafted great players with them. Enough was enough. Bad enough they got Fleury and Malkin; but Crosby??? I guarantee that if Crosby landed in Columbus the hate wouldn't even be CLOSE to what he gets now.
ALSO... If you wanted to throw in Ryan Whitney drafted # 5 overall in 2002; you then have FIVE straight seasons with a top five pick. To recap - that's TWO number 1s (overall); TWO number 2s (overall); and a number 5 (overall).
I'll give them this much. They hit on all five. Kudos.
But Crosby to many embodies the tanking and manipulating and suspicions of skullduggery on the part of the Penguins. He's a white whale of sorts to many who hate the Penguins. The focus of their hatred.
Throw in whining, diving, and a cheap shot here and there; and you have a recipe for a very hated player.
QUESTION: Did the 2010 Olympics make anyone here feel differently about Crosby?