Bitter Wings and Disrespecting Penguins

Despite being up 2-0 and 3-2, the Detroit Red Wings couldn't finish off the Pittsburgh Penguins. Just like they did against the Washington Capitals, the Pens came back to win the series after being down 2-0.

No one is debating the fact that the Pittsburgh Penguins are the 2009 Stanley Cup Champions, however, there has been a lot of talk about Sidney Crosby being disrespectful and of the Wings being sore losers.

Here is what I think.

Sidney Crosby gets away with a lot of stuff simply because he is young and inexperienced and most people seem to think he deserves to be protected like he's the new Wayne Gretzky. Don't get me wrong, I think Crosby is a great hockey player and he has a lot in common with the Great One, not just the fact that they both wine a lot. But as a captain he has a lot to learn.

Those who call the Detroit players sore losers fail to recognize that there is such a thing as a bad winner. Treating your opponent with respect comes with the title and Crosby failed to do that. At 22, he should have watched enough cup finals to know that you always shake hands with the losing team before you start doing interviews and going nuts celebrating. That is just how it's done, and noty just in hockey but in most other sports as well. There are no special circumstances because you're Sidney Crosby.

Another question that has been raised after Detroit's loss in Game 7, is whether the Red Wing dynasty is over because of it. Why would it be?

Not only was Detroit the first reigning champion to get past the first round of the playoffs in years, but they made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals and Game 7. Except the fact that Nicklas Lidstrom has one more year left on his contract, they have players like Zetterberg, Franzen, Datsyuk, Kronwall, Filppula, Helm, Ericsson who will be around a lot longer, making the Wings a contender for years to come. And even after that, there are new players ready to take their place. Detroit does not rely on one or two stars, but on the organization's ability to mold players to fit their system. Old players show new players how defense comes first and back checking hard is a must or you're gone. I honestly think both Datsyuk and Zetterberg would have been different players on any other team. They would have been great, but perhaps not the two best two-way players in the league.

Last but not least, I would like to say that I think Marc-Andre Fleury should have been awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy. In the end, he made the difference.

So, congrats Penguins! I can't wait for October to come around.

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