why do people say Crosby isn't flashy?

[Raccoon Jesus]

many say it and some call him a grinder, which is a nice way of saying not flashy

I remember it being used in a flattering context though and the pundit was careful to frame it that way. I also forget who it was but they basically said he's the best grinder of all time or something to that effect and compared his skillset to Peter Forsberg, talking about his fundamentals, board play, puck protection as the foundation of his game from which the other, more noticeable stuff comes. And I think that's totally correct, much of what Crosby does that consistently impresses me isn't highlight reel.

Then again, this board often has a hard time with understanding actually effective play vs. flashy play, so.

 

[The Shovel Penguin]

I think of "flashy" players as being the wingers streaking down the ice -- Ovie, Jagr, Bure, and deke magicians like Datsyuk -- the kind of skillsets and plays that the eye can easily appreciate and are a regular part of a player's game. Crosby's game is playmaking and work in the corners, he has the hockey smarts to anticipate the play and know where to be to get the goal or set one up. But he's usually not the first player on every hockey fan's list of favorite players to watch. Of course now and then he'll do something really awesome and I love watching him in shootouts, but his game is almost chess-like and generally more of a cerebral one.

 

[Akrapovince]

I think of "flashy" players as being the wingers streaking down the ice -- Ovie, Jagr, Bure, and deke magicians like Datsyuk -- the kind of skillsets and plays that the eye can easily appreciate and are a regular part of a player's game. Crosby's game is playmaking and work in the corners, he has the hockey smarts to anticipate the play and know where to be to get the goal or set one up. But he's usually not on every hockey fan's list of favorite players to watch. Of course now and then he'll do something really awesome and I love watching him in shootouts, but his game is almost chess-like and generally more of a cerebral one.

I don't understand it, I'm an avid hockey fan watching from a bird's eye view and Crosby is seeing plays at ice-level that I can't even see unfolding.

Most people don't even see the small things Crosby does that separates him, honestly to me the flashiest thing about Crosby is his edgework and headfakes.

 

[Pavels Dog]

He's very mechanical. He can make extremely difficult, high-end plays but it just looks so simple. I don't know. All I know is if me and the buddies are having some beers and watching highlight reels, Crosby is way down the list.

 

[Leafs87]

People are going to hate and criticize the best player in hockey

I’m sorry I don’t see the argument for him over McDavid anymore

 

[shtorm2005]

If by flashy u mean entertaining, spectacular, then yes, Malkin is more fun to watch and he's easily recognized on the ice by other team's fans than Crosby. (IMHO)

 

[EdJovanovski]

This isn't 2014. Ovi is better than Sid defensively now

Ovechkin is my favorite player of all time but I don’t think that statement is true lol

 

[shtorm2005]

This isn't 2014. Ovi is better than Sid defensively now

Ovy 2018 is better defensively than Ovy 2014, but usually centers are better at defense than wingers because its their main responsibility.

 

[Matty Sundin]

Other then him having a personality of an egg no one has ever Crosby isn't flashy lol

 

[KareemTrustfund]

Malkin is like a fine picasso painted in the heat of passionate love making.
Sid is like watching an old man try to paint a deck with nails sticking out of it everywhere.

 

[King'sPawn]

I figured the remarks has to do with the fact that Crosby is one of the hardest workers in the league. If you work hard for success, you aren't considered flashy. Not that I necessarily agree with that logic.

 

[TheAngryHank]

Crosby = boring.

 

[Akrapovince]

I figured the remarks has to do with the fact that Crosby is one of the hardest workers in the league. If you work hard for success, you aren't considered flashy. Not that I necessarily agree with that logic.

Agreed, “grinder” is more indicative of a work ethic as opposed to skillset.

 

[KareemTrustfund]

Agreed, “grinder” is more indicative of a work ethic as opposed to skillset.

*looks at formulas in notebook*

Yes.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

People are going to hate and criticize the best player in hockey

True, alot of people hate and criticize McDavid.

 

[Sam Spade]

Eh before the two goals he just recently scored he has been quite the opposite of flashy this season. I think he can have a lot of shifts were you don’t notice him the way you do other superstars in the league.

That being said who the hell cares what I think, the man has three rings.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

because they compare him to guys like McDavid and Ovechkin who are flashier

 

[Filthy Dangles]

People are going to hate and criticize the best player in hockey

Yes, McDavid is definitely criticized here.

 

[hohosaregood]

It's not like Crosby goes end to end deking every opposing player along the way.

 

[Los Patos de Anaheim]

It's because he's not lighting fast, doesn't have amazingly quick hands, and doesn't have a super hard shot.

 

[Turin]

It's because he's not lighting fast, doesn't have amazingly quick hands, and doesn't have a super hard shot.

... Crosby’s hands are disgustingly quick, his snapshot was top tier and he use to be as explosive as anybody with the puck.

 

[Los Patos de Anaheim]

... Crosby’s hands are disgustingly quick, his snapshot was top tier and he use to be as explosive as anybody with the puck.

Not as quick as someone like Kane, McDavid, Kucherov, etc.

His shot isn't as hard as Laine or Ovechkin.

He's never been an extremely fast skater.

 

[412 Others]

the people who think is game isn't flashy enough apparently think stationary one-timers from the same spot on the power play is exciting.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Malkin is like a fine picasso painted in the heat of passionate love making.
Sid is like watching an old man try to paint a deck with nails sticking out of it everywhere.

But they're both cerebral which is why i love watching both. There's a ton of depth and intelligence to Crosby's game.

 

[GordieHowsUrBreath]

Who says that?

read this thread now