Simple ideas are often the best.
The other day on The Fan 590 radio in Toronto, my buddy Mike Hogan opened up the phones on his show and asked people to share their list of top five NHL'ers they enjoy watching. People really got into it, with well over 100 phone calls and e-mails. Heck, even Sportsnet.ca and resident hockey nut Mike Brophy submitted his own Fab Five.
It's no surprise that Alex Ovechkin was included on most people's list, as he was mentioned over 90 times.
But Sidney Crosby?
Believe it or not, Sid the Kid made the final cut on just six lists.
Most people told Hoagie that they love the passion Ovechkin displays on the ice, including his wild goal scoring celebrations. However, Crosby also plays with his heart on his sleeve, so there has to be something else to explain his lack of popularity in a head-to-head comparison with Ovechkin.
One possibility that comes to mind is the two superstars different approaches with the media. Ovechkin is an open book with reporters, while Crosby has obviously been coached by media consultants who have taught him how to deliver fifteen second sound bites without really saying anything of interest. Sid the Kid has been under the media microscope since he was, well, just a kid. As a result, he's very polite when addressing the lights and cameras, but he's also extremely careful to avoid uttering anything controversial. Case in point: Last month, Washington's other Alex, Alexander Semin, was quoted as saying that there wasn't really anything special about Crosby and that he was "overrated". But when asked to respond, Crosby took a "no comment" pass and chose to do his talking on the ice by making a dramatic push towards the top of the NHL scoring leaders. There's certainly nothing wrong with walking, and talking, softly and carrying a big stick, but it won't help you win very many popularity contests.
Unlike Crosby, Ovechkin isn't afraid of shooting from the lip and his spontaneous personality and the interviews that go with it are a big part of his allure. With his unruly hair, ripped jeans and devil-may-care attitude, Ovechkin just doesn't seem as self-aware as Crosby.
"Everybody knows that Alex is missing one of his front teeth," says Washington Capitals radio broadcaster, Steve Kolbe. "But he's in no big hurry to get it fixed because he kind of likes how it makes him stand out. And the people love it because when Alex scores a goal and gets that big gap-toothed grin, he looks just like a little kid."
Sid the Kid has that same youthful zest when he's got the puck on his stick. But he's a little too slick when playing the Q and A game, and that's where Ovechkin seems to hold an edge in the minds of many fans.
By the way, here's my own Fab Five list of the NHL'ers that I get a kick out of.
1. Ovechkin
2. Marty Brodeur (As an old goalie, I love watching this guy do his thing. Unlike today's technically perfect netminders, such as J.S. Giguere, Brodeur is a throwback to an era when toe saves and double-leg slides were part of a goalie's arsenal.)
3. Ryan Clowe (I force myself to stay up late and watch San Jose Sharks games because the team is so darn good. Clowe is a tough and talented winger on the team who reminds me of Gary Roberts in his hey-day; not the cheap imitation currently on display with the terrible Tampa Bay Lightning.)
4. Brian Campbell (There's nothing better than watching a blueliner who can skate the puck out of the zone by himself. Campbell might not be Paul Coffey, but he's the next best thing and his "Spinnerama" move is one of the most lethal offensive weapons in hockey.)
5. Patrick Kaleta (Now that Sean Avery has gone a little loco, I need a new bad boy on my list. Kaleta pounded people with open ice hits when he played junior in Peterborough, and he's doing the same thing in Buffalo. The opposition has to keep their heads up when he's on the ice and as a fan, you can't take your eyes off him, either.)
Feel free to submit your own Fab Five, and let the great debates begin.