# Help us choose a hockey team to root for **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 2, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102 "2011-01-02T02:07:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/21 "2011-01-03T03:06:29Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > While it’s nice to root for the underdog, it’s certainly not very accurate to suggest that someone like Sidney Crosby or Wayne Gretzky just found the game easy and don’t work as hard as the Pavel Datsyuks. Indeed, one of the commonly noted characteristics of both Crosby and Gretzky is how remarkably hard they work at their craft. Certainly both were born with a natural physical intelligence that gave them a leg up, but they are/were extremely dedicated professionals who work even harder than is usual for pro players. Just to clarify. I’m not saying that Sid isn’t a hard worker. What I’m saying is that he makes the game look easy, and that to him the game comes easily. It wasn’t to impugn his effort or the time it took him to develop the skills. And with that I end my role in this hijack. 🙂 ETA: **Guin** , who roots for Avery? That’s even worse than rooting for friggin’ Pronger. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/22 "2011-01-03T03:17:12Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > FWIW, the Tampa Bay Lightning are currently (just barely) ahead of the Washington Capitals in their division, have Steven Stamkos who is as exciting a player as Ovechkin or Crosby, and own one more Stanley Cup in 18 fewer seasons of existence. This sentence might be confusingly misunderstood to indicate that the Lightning have one more Stanley Cup win than Sidney Crosby (or the Penguins) during their existence. Of course, neither is accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/23 "2011-01-03T03:19:01Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > [Most evil attack on America since 9/11/2001](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_koQujQ8Vg) Well, if that’s your method for selecting who to root against, it seems like you ought to root for the Buffalo Sabres, right? ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/24 "2011-01-03T03:31:50Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Well, if that’s your method for selecting who to root against, it seems like you ought to root for the Buffalo Sabres, right? It’s a deal, my son and I just agreed on the Sabres. [Next stop](http://shop.nhl.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3176641&cp=3169596&f=PAD%2FPlayer%2FRyan+Miller&fbc=1&fbn=Player%7CRyan+Miller) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/25 "2011-01-03T03:32:38Z")
The Sabres? OK, that’s cool. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/26 "2011-01-03T03:46:35Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > It’s a deal, my son and I just agreed on the Sabres. > > [Next stop](http://shop.nhl.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3176641&cp=3169596&f=PAD%2FPlayer%2FRyan+Miller&fbc=1&fbn=Player%7CRyan+Miller) They’re not my team - I’m from Pittsburgh and a Penguins fan, but your choice has a definite logic to it. I did become a big fan of Miller’s during the Olympics. My friend in high school was from outside Buffalo, and was a Sabres fan, and he had a copy of a 70s support song for the Sabres that was undeniably catchy. If I could, I’d pass it along to you. “You know our Don Luce; he’s gonna skate circles around you! Me and the Buffalo Sabres yeah, yeah, yeah!” I’ve never been able to root for a team without having a more organic sort of connection to the team. Seems odd to be able to just choose one like that, but I certainly understand the idea of getting into something like that to share with your son. Good luck to you. Oh, and teach your son now to say “Fluck the Fyers!” ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/27 "2011-01-03T03:48:47Z")
Habs ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/28 "2011-01-03T04:07:19Z")
Good choice. I don’t think it’s humanly possible to hate Ryan Miller. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/29 "2011-01-03T14:13:54Z")
Thank you for not picking the Red Wings. The Sabres are a good choice but let me tell you now, Brett Hulls’ goal was good. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/30 "2011-01-03T16:07:45Z")
Prepare for disappointment. Good that you and your son picked a team, but prepare for disappointment. ---
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/31 "2011-01-03T19:27:58Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I’m so sick of hearing that Sidney Crosby is a diver and a whiner. C’mon, the same thing has been said for years and it’s bullshit. [Not](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKc_OOFQYsg) [bullshit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob7kXHhj8eM&feature=related) [at](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9qTFhRsnvY&feature=related) [all](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBs1SCgfFJg&feature=related). He **is** a diver and a whiner. He’s also spectacularly talented, but he’s still a diver and a whiner. It’s a stigma that will rightfully follow him for his entire career. Deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/32 "2011-01-03T20:35:33Z")
> [@Dignan](#): > > I would discourage you from becoming a Red Wings fan, because … why would you want to do that? Look at the Original 6 teams (other than Detroit). And then: > [@Dignan](#): > > Your reasoning for not liking Crosby is funny. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/33 "2011-01-04T01:30:29Z")
I will agree with you that complaining about the hats was incredibly petty. However, I stand by my admiration of Sidney Crosby. You cannot deny his skills, or his hardwork or dedication. I’m not saying you have to like the guy, I’m just sticking up for my team. And yeah, there are people who apparently are fans of Sean Avery. I guess they’re into sloppy seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/34 "2011-01-04T02:28:09Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Thank you for not picking the Red Wings. The Sabres are a good choice but let me tell you now, Brett Hulls’ goal was good. Bullshit! No way that was a continuous possession! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/35 "2011-01-04T04:48:18Z")
The Sabres are a natch if only for Tim Horton. But that then comes full circle back to Sid. ---
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/36 "2011-01-04T13:33:37Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I will agree with you that complaining about the hats was incredibly petty. However, I stand by my admiration of Sidney Crosby. You cannot deny his skills, or his hardwork or dedication. > > I’m not saying you have to like the guy, I’m just sticking up for my team. > And yeah, there are people who apparently are fans of Sean Avery. I guess they’re into sloppy seconds. No one’s denying his skill except for maybe those who just blindly hate him, but they’re more than matched by those who blindly defend him and refuse to see his flaws. His talent is what makes his behavior all the more deplorable, because he’s got the ability to overcome it; but he uses cheap tactics to take advantage of the league’s coddling of superstars. You can admire him all you like, he’s certainly admirable in many senses… but you can’t call BS on those who accuse him of diving and whining. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/37 "2011-01-04T13:46:48Z")
> [@soulmurk](#): > > No one’s denying his skill except for maybe those who just blindly hate him, but they’re more than matched by those who blindly defend him and refuse to see his flaws. > > His talent is what makes his behavior all the more deplorable, because he’s got the ability to overcome it; but he uses cheap tactics to take advantage of the league’s coddling of superstars. > > You can admire him all you like, he’s certainly admirable in many senses… but you can’t call BS on those who accuse him of diving and whining. You’ve basically produced one clip of him actually being tripped, one clip regarding the hats business, and then two video clips that look like diving (the face off thing is so weird that I’m not sure what to make of it). I’m pretty confident that I could find two clips of just about any player that look like he’s taking a dive, or squeezing some guy’s stick under his arm to draw a hooking call, or so on and so forth. Crosby is hardly a coddled superstar. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/38 "2011-01-04T13:50:51Z")
I’d rate Crosby’s whinning about on par with Ovechkin being a dirty player. Neither are fair assessments, both have some basis in fact based on isolated and mostly early career events. The skills of both are probably overstated by their fans and understated by fans of their opponents. ---
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/39 "2011-01-04T14:24:47Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > You’ve basically produced one clip of him actually being tripped, one clip regarding the hats business, and then two video clips that look like diving (the face off thing is so weird that I’m not sure what to make of it). I’m pretty confident that I could find two clips of just about any player that look like he’s taking a dive, or squeezing some guy’s stick under his arm to draw a hooking call, or so on and so forth. I just grabbed the first 4 videos I found because a few are all that is necessary to dispute the statement that he is not a diver. Technically, only one is needed, but there are more out there if you require additional evidence. In fact, there are entire montages dedicated to his antics. > [@](#): > > Crosby is hardly a coddled superstar. You either don’t watch many Penguins games or are a Penguins fan. The NHL coddles all of its superstars. Its seen regularly in Colin Campbell’s “Wheel of Justice” that allows guys like Alexander Ovechkin and Jeff Carter to get no to minimal penalties for the exact same actions that get non-superstars harshly suspended and fined. And in game, they get the benefit of the doubt far more often than not… just off the top of my head there was the recent slew-foot by Crosby on Ryan Callahan that inexplicably ended up being an interference call on Callahan. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102/40 "2011-01-04T15:04:20Z")
Uh huh. Hey, have your hate-on for Crosby. I don’t care. But off the top of my head, in addition to thinking of a lot of other instances in which most players dive or try to draw penalties like I said, I can think of many times that Crosby is hooked, held, interfered with or roughed that aren’t called. Just look at the Winter Classic, for instance, when he was blind-sided while skating in the neutral zone without the puck. No call there. But as I said, it’s no skin off my nose what you think of Crosby. I am a Pens fan, and I’m quite content with his play and his ringing up the scoreboard. I’d be surprised if it didn’t make fans of other teams pissy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-choose-a-hockey-team-to-root-for/566102.md?page=3)