A True Athlete

by user Bsteckelpens

By: Brad Steckel - Webmaster of PensRinkRat - http://pensrinkrat.blogspot.com/

Mr. Sidney Crosby has and always was beyond his years; so mature and acting like an elder veteran since he was drafted. He was known as the "Next Great One", the one to follow in Wayne Gretzky's and Mario Lemieux's footsteps; the next face of NHL Hockey. He has lived up to his hype and more.

Coming to a hockey town and following in Mario Lemieux's footsteps is not an easy thing to accomplish; well Sidney Crosby has made it look very simple. He has already won league MVP(youngest since Wayne Gretzky), MVP (voted on by the players), Hart Memorial Trophy(youngest scoring champion in NHL history), lead his team to the playoffs, and become the leader and captain of his team all before the age of 20 (he turns 20 on August 7th). He has become the face of the franchise the moment he was drafted.

He is a main reason hockey is here to stay in Pittsburgh....trust me, I was born and raised and still live in the 'Burgh. He is the reason there is a waiting list for season-tickets, and why the have stopped selling season tickets after 13,500 packages because they want to be able to have individual and partial packages.

Crosby is entering the final year on his entry-level contract paying him $850,00, after next season the extension kicks into full gear. Thanks to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette his contract breakdown as the following:

2008-09 -- $4 million salary plus $5 million signing bonus.

2009-10 -- $9 million.

2010-22 -- $9 million.

$2011-12 -- $9 million.

2012-13 -- $7.5 million.

Pretty cheap for the best player in the game today, especially if you look at the likes of Gomez, Drury, and Briere. He wants to stay in Pittsburgh, he wants to win a Stanley Cup, he wants to be surrounded by good players, he was willing to take a pay-cut to do so. Mr. Crosby could have easily demanded 10 million, but money is everything to him. His team, winning championships, and the city of Pittsburgh is what matters...and boy is it refreshing to see an athlete out his team first and NOT THE MONEY.

Brad Steckel

pensrinkrat@gmail.com

http://pensrinkrat.blogspot.com/

MegECass110AAA-er

873 days ago

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I'm not much of a hockey person, but Sidney Crosby has peaked my interest. He's not only the face of the franchise, he's the face of hockey period. You're lucky to have him. The last sentence or two, I can't help but think it sounds Brady-esque.

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Patrickburke1980All-American

873 days ago

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he's only 19???

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ChristofMVP

873 days ago

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Yep, so much potential. The Pens are setting themselves up to be quite a force over the next 5-10 years. Even under a salary cap, I believe you can still build a dynasty in the NHL.

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ChristofMVP

873 days ago

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The deal will be redone before the 2012 season if Crosby stays healthy and plays at the level he is capable of.

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NCNative704JV Squad

873 days ago

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I was never a hockey fan either, occasionally I'd watch the 'Canes play. But Crosby is just a one of a kind. He's like a hockey version of Dante Hall. His deke kills, then he scores.

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