Kovalchuk a classless player

[maverick99]

hoas anyone read the comments made the last two nights by Kovalchuk in regards to Sidney Crosby? And also how he taunted him afted scoring a goal? It is terrible.

"The 22-year-old Russian taunted the 18-year-old phenom as he left the penalty box in the second period of Atlanta's 6-4 win Friday. Kovalchuk had just scored a power-play goal to give the Thrashers a 5-0 lead late in the second period and pointed at Crosby as part of his celebration. "



"He takes those stupid penalties all the time. He's an 18-year-old kid and can't do this. He starts yapping about his teammates in the newspapers. ... If he wants to play tough, he can play tough... He's not Mario Lemieux yet."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2006010628

[devilsjaw]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

Kovalchuk has always been a little....eccentric. He's actually toned it down from when he first came in the league, but classles, nah, not really. Just speaking his mind. It be different if he was talking about one of his own teammates.

[XboxRocks1991]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

He's been cokcy and arogant like that back in the russian SuperLeague

[TheTruth916]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

Sorry but, I like Sidney Crosby but, for reals. That Kid needs to grow up. All he does is complain. HE is a Diver and a wuss on the Ice.

So calling Kovy classless no way is he. He is just telling it like it is.

[The_Great_One]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

Yep, i saw that aswell. I wasn't too angry over it at all. The kids a phenom, he has to watch himself. Hes too young to be playing dirty...especially because everybody knows who he is and whats expected of him.

I didn't see the penalty he took, but if it was a cheap one, then you know what, he deserved it. Ive seen him take a couple of falls that could be considered dives.

Kovalchuk's right, hes not Mario Lemieux yet.

[XboxRocks1991]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

Yep, i saw that aswell. I wasn't too angry over it at all. The kids a phenom, he has to watch himself. Hes too young to be playing dirty...especially because everybody knows who he is and whats expected of him.

I didn't see the penalty he took, but if it was a cheap one, then you know what, he deserved it. Ive seen him take a couple of falls that could be considered dives.

Kovalchuk's right, hes not Mario Lemieux yet.

lets not forget this is from Kovalchuk who isnt the humblest player himself...

[The_Great_One]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

Good point....but Kovalchuk isnt an 18 year old phenom who is expected to be the next Mario. Kovalchuk spoke his mind, but maybe he shouldn't have said that to the media.

[XboxRocks1991]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

Good point....but Kovalchuk isnt an 18 year old phenom who is expected to be the next Mario. Kovalchuk spoke his mind, but maybe he shouldn't have said that to the media.

Let him say what he wants its not gonna have any effect on Crosby one way or another

[Sully]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

It's no secret that a lot of NHL veterans are getting fed up with Crosby's incessant whining and diving. For those that don't think he's a diver, check the boxscore for last night's game against Atlanta.

Not since Eric Lindros, has a rookie come in the league with this much hype surrounding him. Also, not since Eric Lindros, has a rookie been hated so much by his opponents. Many view him as arrogant and cocky, and that the game should cater to him.

Crosby is an incredible talent. He can do it all, and he's spent much of the first half of the season trying to prove that he'll back down from nobody. You have to respect that.

[Kontos18]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

In Sid's defense the refs have been letting other players take liberties on him. He's eaten countless sticks and gloves to the face. I would say the refs lets opposing players get away with it sometimes because he is a bit of a whiner.

The one thing he must learn is now the he is wearing the "A" he will be held to a higher standard than the other players when dealing with refs. He took an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty last night after the dive call. I think some of the reason he couldn't keep his mouth shut is because he's a feisty players and some of it because he's a kid.

BTW I think Ilya Kovalchuk is the best player in the world and he would tell that he is too. Cocky or confidence? Who cares in my book. He does his job and does it well.

[shttymcgee]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

Sure Kovalchuk is cocky and plays with a little arrogance. That's a big part of the Russian game. Most Russian-born NHLers have a lsome of that same fire. Whether veterans like it or no, Crosby at 18 already has more skill than most of them will ever have. It's not Crosby's fault that the media has donned him the next Gretzky.

[The_Great_One]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

Well Kovalchuk is the leading scorer in the NHL, and also scored 5 goals in back-to-back games against Sid the Kid and the Penguins. Kovalchuk has def earned his right to say what he wants.

Now saying that Crosby has more skill, as of now, is ridiculous. Probably in the long-run he'll be better then most of the guys in the NHL, but saying he has more talent right now than some of the vets, Russian or not, is wrong.

[CoRruPt-]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

This is part of some players' games - to get to the other guy's head.

Some players THRIVE on it. Look at Ruutu of the Canucks. He is the ultimate pest of the NHL. His game depends on making other players feel frustrated, so they take penalties, thus benefitting his team with a PP.

I think it's the same here. Sid still needs to learn, and he will have chances to. Kovalchuk has the skills to back up his trash talk, so I don't think I mind that too much. It all comes down to who took the 2 points after the game, and everything else is just secondary. Taking dumb penalties like that is not something you should do, rookie or veteran, and especially wearing that 'A'. But he'll learn, like I said.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

Kovalchuk rubs me the wrong way sometimes. I remember in the World Junior tournament when he pointed towards the net on a empty net goal. He did drop the gloves twice against Mike Comrie. But you can't deny his talent.

I was hoping Kovalchuk and Crosby would scrap in the rematch last night but it didn't happen. Crosby is a gritty player and he scrapped when he was playing Junior hockey. He has the reputation of a diver though. Even the Flyer announcer called him Sid Legonious (sp?) LOL.

[Sully]

Re: Kovalchuk a classless player

Kovalchuk rubs me the wrong way sometimes. I remember in the World Junior tournament when he pointed towards the net on a empty net goal. He did drop the gloves twice against Mike Comrie. But you can't deny his talent.

I was hoping Kovalchuk and Crosby would scrap in the rematch last night but it didn't happen. Crosby is a gritty player and he scrapped when he was playing Junior hockey. He has the reputation of a diver though. Even the Flyer announcer called him Sid Legonious (sp?) LOL.

Good lord, you butchered it.
It's Louganis.