Who is the best player in hockey? The debate has been heating up for quite some time now. Both players wear the "C", both are leading the league in goals....both have similar hardware. The big difference between the two is that Sid has a Stanley Cup, but does this make him the better player? Alex The Great (ATG) is the most electrifying player with the puck, his goals are phenomenal and his never quit attitude inspires others. The two faced each other last year in the second round of the playoffs. Sid came out on top last year leading the Penguins to victory and eventually winning the Cup. There are a lot of people out there that aren't very fond of Sid, whether it's his soft style of play or they just decided they don't like the guy for whatever reason (I think there are a lot of these people out there). One thing you can say about him is that when he's needed, he's always there. He shot the game winning goal in the olympics in overtime because he never stopped skating and shooting. The guy never gives up! Not to say that ATG is a slacker because again, we all know he skates like a mad man on a mission, but he just doesn't come through the way Sid does. Now don't get me wrong, I've been on the ATG boat this whole time. I've been drinking the RED kool-aid, I've even contributed with more cowbell. I've just come to the realization after the series against Montreal that maybe, just maybe Sid has got the whole "team" concept down better than ATG. He doesn't go out on the town and celebrate wins by taking shots. He doesn't drive his car at crazy, reckless speeds. He's just a guy that seems to have his eye on one thing at all times, winning another stanley cup. He always seems to come through whether by scoring the winning goal or dishing the biscuit off to one of his teammates. It's hard to get over seeing ATG and the Caps do so well in the regular season, winning the presidents trophy, got into the playoffs as the #1 team in the league and lost in the first round to Montreal who barely made it in. ATG just ran out of gas towards the end while Sid continues to lead his team. Many people believed this was going to be the year for ATG and the Caps but it looks like we're going to have to wait for another year or two. Gretzky and Messier played the New York Islanders in the 1983 stanley cup finals and got swept in the 5 game series. After the game they both walked by the Islander's locker expecting cheers and yells but instead were surprised by silence. They looked to see why the silence and noticed all the Islanders completely worn down, just exhausted after leaving everything they had on the ice. They weren't yelling, they were just appreciating the hard work they put in to get there. Gretzky and Messier took notice of how winners celebrated and came back the next year leading the Oilers to their first stanley cup victory. I hope ATG and the Caps realize how bad it feels to lose and come back next year hungrier than ever searching for the winning feeling. So ask me again in a year or two who the best player in hockey is and might answer might change, but for now it's Sid The Kid.
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