Bigger Star: Alexander Ovechkin Or Sidney Crosby

There is no doubt that both Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin are huge stars. Crosby is the play-maker, who can make a play out of nothing, and Ovechkin is the sniper, who can score from any angle on any goalie. Any team would kill to have either, but who is the bigger star?

Sidney Crosby was the first pick of the 2005 NHL draft. He was also one of the highest regarded picks in NHL history. Crosby has already tallied 99 goals and 195 assists in just three years in the NHL. Crosby is viewed by some as the next Wayne Gretzky, giving him the nickname "The Next One".

The young forward has turned around a Pittsburgh Penguins franchise, that was at one point on the brink of relocation. Crosby took the once laughable Penguins to the 2007-08 Stanley Cup playoffs. There is no question that Crosby has been surrounded by great talent, as the Pens drafted Russian superstar Evgeni Malkin, and even traded to get Marian Hossa for a year.

From number 87 to number 8:

Alexander Ovechkin was the first pick of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Ovechkin has tallied an incredible 163 goals in three years in the NHL. Ovechkin burst onto the scene, scoring 52 goals, and tallying 54 assists in his rookie year.

Ovechkin in his first few years was not surrounded by the greatest talent, as the Washington Capitals were in the cellar of the Eastern Conference. In the 2007-08 season Ovechkin finally pulled through and brought the Capitals to the playoffs, for the first time since the 2002-03 season. Ovechkin received help from his young teammates in Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, and the surprising Mike Green.

In my opinion you can't go wrong with either, but if I'm going by who I want to build my franchise around, it's Sidney Crosby. Crosby has quickly grasped the leadership roles necessary to be a good hockey player. Ovechkin has become a good leader as well, but I just feel Crosby is a better all around hockey player.

Crosby and Ovechkin will both enjoy successful careers, and possibly even have Hall of Fame caliber careers, but that's a question for another day.