Fifth fastest to 1,000 points. He is an all-time great player. Look at the four players he is close to, and consider the era he plays in versus the average goals per game when they played.

Greatest player in the game right now.

Yep, amazing player.
Not many of that quality.

I really respect the skill. I just don't like Cindy being a the whiny ass prima donna who is protected by the league.

I don't agree he is protected by the league. A hit hard enough to be concussed, another one hard enough to hurt his neck as to loose even more time. Hell he isn't even protected by his own team. I will say in his younger days he seemed to whine a bit. I haven't seen to much of that last or this year. And prima donna? Come on Joe. From Merriam-Webster... a vain or undisciplined person who finds it difficult to work under direction or as part of a team. Sid was the ultimate team player last year during the Pens run to the Cup.
Now you want a player protected by it's league?? How about Tommy Brady? :eek:

OK I concede that prima donna was inappropriate. He's just a very talented whiny ass and for years, every time he coughed there were 3 reporters wanting to talk to him about it. He didn't get the nickname of "Cindy" in the beginning of his career on for no reason.

His team mate Matt Cooke began the end Marc Savard's career in 2010 with a hit so vicious that caused a severe concussion. That hit along with Marc trying to continue to play cause Post Concussion Syndrome that he has never recovered from. Although technically not illegal at the time, the players have a code and they all knew it was dirty. The league created the blindside hit rule 48 because of it. Not a peep from Cindy.

When Cindy gets hit and has a concussion the following January, he becomes a champion for a kinder gentler NHL. Suddenly the league officials are crawling over the top of one another to enact a much stricter rule 48 that no longer requires the hit to be blindside or lateral and penalties become much harsher. Everyone applauds.

I feel that the league has done anything it can to tilt the ice in the favor of their golden boy. When Cindy talks Bettman listens. Not even the Great One got this much sway (which is why he had to have Marty McSorley to keep him safe.

True dat men

Joe you really don't expect a teammate to dis a teammate?, (I totally agree Cooke was dirty but he did clean up once going to Minnesota). Do the Brunes talk about Marchand's dirty play? Of course not. Again we'll go to the NFL, QBs were beat to a pulp until their golden boy TB busted up a knee. A new rule was drawn up. Blame Brady as you do Sid for a kinder/gentler league. It is money driven period. You take out a golden boy and rules are written. It's not Sid's or TB problem owners are greedy. And if you care, share a few facts on your comments that the NHL 'listens to' Crosby. Even if it is a a kinder/gentler league and saves players futures I say good for the league!!!! If it takes a 'golden boy', (in both leagues), to save players from them selves then that is a good thing. Even you can agree to that, no?

Crosby has a reputation of whining to the refs and diving. It has gotten better in the last year or two but here's an example of favoritism IMO: 2012 playoff with the Flyers. Game 3: Crosby's cheap shots started three different sets of fights. Pittsburgh's Craig Adams and James Neal both got 1 game suspensions and Arron Asham got 4games. Crosby was allowed to skate away without even a verbal warning.

I admit that when I pine for the "good old days" of hockey I am not the one that has to go out there and take the beating. I respect the league wanting to make the game safer but I hope it doesn't wussify it for the sake of protecting those big salary players to the detriment of the game.

BTW, Claude has called out Marchand in press conferences for stupid penalties. Should Crosby attack a team mate in the press? No but why the sudden interest in making the game safer only after he gets hurt? Maybe if he had a better reputation with the players and the fans it wouldn't be so obvious.

Great player? Heck yes. Good reputation? No. (but then again, I've heard that about Marchand so maybe we are all a little prejudiced).

Yes. Correct. No one cares if the plugs get hurt fighting. Take away the guy that sells the game and you have a problem that needs to be fixed.

It is that simple. (plus the speed of the game, and the post-lockout rule changes made players more vulnerable, which necessitated changes).

How you liking me now?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1489602072.jpg

Video: Brad Marchand imposed his will with third-period hat trick | ProHockeyTalk

Oh, and just two points away from Most Points in the league as well.

Nobody questions his ability. Doesn't mean he's still not a dink ;)

Funny thing, I say that about Cindy Crosby. ;)

Edit: Brad just past Cindy in total points. Just one point behind the leaders.

BM is a great player. Glad to see him growing up and getting enough self confidence to know he is a great player and doesn't have to be a douche.

Joe, you do have a serious man crush on him, it is what it is. Is it because he plays for your favorite team or because of how he plays? Would you like him as much if he played for Pittsburgh? A Boston homer, or a fan of a great player? Be honest...

Crosby is also a great player even though you take small man shots at him. I am just glad both he and BM will represent Canada at the next world championships, be it Olympics or other tournament...

Good one Jeff!

Cheers
JB

Fair questions. I miss the "good old days" of hockey when the game was a lot tougher. I also appreciate players who play right on the edge. Terrible Ted, Gordie, McSorley, Messier, Shanahan, Patrick Roy, Hextall, Chelios, Bobby Clark, Tim Thomas... I am not a fan of Cindy Crosby (although he has grown up a bit), the Sedin sisters, divers...

Agitators have always had a special place in the game. Sean Avery was fun to watch (although a dirtbag in real life), Matt Barnaby, Billy Smith, Claude Lemieux, Bobby Hull...

So here is Marchand. An agitator AND a great player. What's not to love?

Oh and in full disclosure, I grew up in NY as a fan of the Big Bad Bruins in the 60's and 70's. Being a Bruin doesn't hurt either.

I've said it a long time ago and I'll say it again. Marchand is the guy everyone loves to hate but wishes he was on their team.

Now in the true spirit of an agitator, I'll say that you're just upset that I was "A Marchand fan before you" :p

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1489805390.jpg

Fair enough.

I don't think BM is as much of an agitator anymore, though he still carries the stigma from the past. I think he is doing a much better job of letting his game do talking.

I do like his game now and think he is a great player. I did not care for his previous antics at all. And yes, you were a BM fan long before I was :)

Cheers

From what I can tell, he still chirps all the time. He now knows when to not get caught up in his own drama and make a bonehead move to trip or low bridge someone.
BTW, Keith Jones ala NBCSN commentator was a big agitator as well. Never stopped talking.

Everyone chirps, some are better at it than others.... :)

He has taken the dirty play mostly out of his game which is good. I think it all comes down to a rise in confidence in his skill set...

Nice try. Actually, Cindy is tied for first but March's face is on the graphic.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1489945783.jpg
Don't rest too easy. Marchand is in 2nd for points with one point less than McD.

In full disclosure: Why am I so all over this? Because it gives me great delight to agitate all the Marchand and/or Bruins haters.

NOW, you can be all warm and fuzzy for Cindy: as of this evening leads both points and goals.