Rigamarole - A Foot In The Crease - Episode 2.15

www.afootinthecrease.com

Since the NHL returned from the lockout 14 months ago, clearly the emphasis regarding the style of play has been on speed and skill. Naturally because of the change in the style of play, we have begun to see the erosion of some of the former talents in the National Hockey League. In addition, over the last season and a half, hockey fans have been treated to the next generation of young superstars. Never before has there been such a dominant crop of young players having such an immediate impact on the game. Crosby, Ovechkin, Phaneuf, Stastny, Malkin, among so many others young stars, all go to players on their respective teams.

When Sidney Crosby passed Jaromir Jagr in the NHL points race this past Wednesday, it quite possibly was an event far more symbolic than just a simple change in the leadership of that particular statistical category. After the departure of Wayne Gretzky and the decline of an older Mario Lemieux, Jagr was generally acknowledged as the most dominant player in the league. When he wanted to play, there was little anyone could do to stop him. Though Jagr is still a strong player in today’s game, it is seems quite likely someone may have come along who is just that much better. Sidney Crosby unlike so many highly touted phenoms is living up to his expectations and then surpassing them. He shows you a new trick on an almost nightly basis. It’s almost impossible to fathom that this is a guy still eligible to play for Team Canada in the World Juniors. At the rate he is scoring in the NHL, he would likely make a mockery of the World Junior Tournament.

In a week that saw John LeClair cut loose by the Penguins, Petr Nedved waived by the Flyers and JR get himself in more trouble in Phoenix, it’s never been more clear that the NHL is in a full fledged youth movement. It’s the young stars dominating the highlights on a nightly basis. Oh ya and not too much interest in Brian Leetch or Jason Allison. But hey, all that was just rigamarole.