Who in the NHL Will Benefit from Sidney Crosby's Absence

Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins is a superstar who is arguably the greatest player currently in the NHL.

Even though I root against him when my teams are playing him, I can’t believe some of his actions on the ice and how he makes his teammates around him that much better. Some of the complaints, which are justified, are that he dives and that the refs protect him when he’s on the ice. Even with those criticisms, he has won at every level and is the youngest player to win a scoring title, become captain of a NHL team and captain that team to a Stanley Cup. He also scored the game-winning goal in the Gold Medal game for Canada at the 2010 Olympics.

It is impressive for any player to accomplish these feats, but add in the fact that he’s still only 24 years old and he’s approaching Gretzky-like territory.

The main knock on him is that he’s had his share of injuries, and people wonder if he’s injury prone. With Crosby still sidelined from a concession that happened last year, there are questions about when he’ll be able to return. With so much uncertainty surrounding head injuries, the doctors and team want to make sure that Crosby will be symptom-free for a month or longer before returning to the ice with no restrictions. Careers of other great players like Eric Lindros and Pat LaFontaine were cut short and didn’t reach their potential due to head injuries. Because of this, the NHL will want to protect their most “prized” star and make sure his career doesn’t end prematurely. The bottom line is no one knows how Crosby will play once he returns, or how he’ll handle the rigors night in and night out. There are five players/teams that will benefit from Crosby being out of the NHL spotlight and are willing to fill the void left behind.

5. Boston Bruins

The Bruins are the defending Stanley Cup champions and should be very competitive this upcoming season. The NHL can focus their marketing around the marquee teams instead of star players like Crosby. In past years, the advertising always put the spotlight on Crosby, so now the shift will promote team-oriented success instead of individual success.

4. The Rest of the Eastern Conference

The teams in the East will be able to benefit in the standings since the Penguins’ success should be impacted by the loss of Crosby. The borderline playoff teams will look to capitalize against the Penguins and hope that they have a rough time for as long as Crosby is out of the lineup. Teams that will be directly affected are the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens.

3. Alex Ovechkin

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals has been one of Crosby and the Penguins' biggest rivals.

Ovechkin has slowly been sacrificing points and goals for team success. He is more responsible on the defensive end and wants to re-enter the talk for the greatest player in the NHL.

With Ovechkin’s charisma and personality, he is the NHL’s marketing dream and will revel in the spotlight without being compared to Crosby. After falling short in the playoffs over the past few years, this is a make or break year. As captain, Ovechkin wants to be known as a leader who led his team to a Stanley Cup and won the same amount of Stanley Cups as Crosby.

2. Steven Stamkos

As a 21-year-old entering his fourth NHL season, Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning is ready to be a consistent superstar. In the second half of last year, his goal total dropped drastically and rumors persisted that his play on the ice was affected by the fact that he wasn’t happy with his contract negotiations.

Rewarded with a new five-year deal in the offseason, Stamkos will only need to be worried about his production, and is ready to win a scoring title without serious competition from Crosby. Stamkos is popular in the locker room and is someone that the NHL can spotlight to help make Tampa Bay an up-and-coming hockey market.

1. Evgeni Malkin

The biggest beneficiary from Crosby’s absence is Evgeni Malkin of the Penguins. The center has lived in Crosby’s shadow, even though he has been just as prolific of a scorer when Crosby has been out of the lineup.

Malkin is returning from a torn ACL and there are questions surrounding him as well. He is said to be close to fully healed and is looking at Crosby’s injury as a challenge for him to produce and carry the team. Malkin wants to be known as a complete player and leader, and will be more vocal in Crosby’s absence. If Crosby returns to full strength, Malkin will have benefited from having the experience he wouldn’t have gained if Crosby was healthy. Who knows...maybe the Penguins won’t suffer without Crosby.

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