If given the chance to draft either Crosby or McDavid at 18, knowing how they panned out as players in reality, who do you draft, and why? Also - how close of a decision is it for you?
I believe as 18 year old prospects Sidney Crosby definitely had slightly more hype and goes first. But remember - this poll is with hindsight. So - knowing everything we know about both playeras as of today - who do you draft first and why?
Sidney Crosby - Probably the most popular option for #5 greatest player in hockey history (behind the big 4 of Gretzky, Lemieux, Orr and Howe). Fanatstic career, was the best player in the world for so many years, ageing amazingly well, fantastic playoff legacy, won at every level, etc. He did have a lot of injuries during his peak, so unfortunately didn't get to have a true flagship peak season as much as we'd have liked (see 2011). But in a re-draft, Injuries are luck of the draw, so no guarantee it happens again
Connor McDavid - Majority of people today are convinced he maybe already has, but definitely will eventually pass Sidney Crosby for career. We all know how good he is, how good he's been the past 3 seasons and playoffs for example. No he doesn't have a cup yet, but insane Conn Smythe this year. He's had better health than Crosby and made the most of it. But - how would he do vs a healthy Crosby? Or at least - not knowing what to expect health-wise for both, do you prefer him to Crosby still?
Full disclosure - I made the exact same poll a year ago after the 2023 season - and although it was close, Sidney Crosby actually won the voting by a small majority (~53% to 47%)
forums.hfboards.com
One year later now - McDavid still doesn't have a cup but he just put arguably the best playoff run of the cap era. Smythe, but no cup. Have opinions changed?
Please comment on who you're voting and how close of a decision it is, or not.
I believe as 18 year old prospects Sidney Crosby definitely had slightly more hype and goes first. But remember - this poll is with hindsight. So - knowing everything we know about both playeras as of today - who do you draft first and why?
Sidney Crosby - Probably the most popular option for #5 greatest player in hockey history (behind the big 4 of Gretzky, Lemieux, Orr and Howe). Fanatstic career, was the best player in the world for so many years, ageing amazingly well, fantastic playoff legacy, won at every level, etc. He did have a lot of injuries during his peak, so unfortunately didn't get to have a true flagship peak season as much as we'd have liked (see 2011). But in a re-draft, Injuries are luck of the draw, so no guarantee it happens again
Connor McDavid - Majority of people today are convinced he maybe already has, but definitely will eventually pass Sidney Crosby for career. We all know how good he is, how good he's been the past 3 seasons and playoffs for example. No he doesn't have a cup yet, but insane Conn Smythe this year. He's had better health than Crosby and made the most of it. But - how would he do vs a healthy Crosby? Or at least - not knowing what to expect health-wise for both, do you prefer him to Crosby still?
Full disclosure - I made the exact same poll a year ago after the 2023 season - and although it was close, Sidney Crosby actually won the voting by a small majority (~53% to 47%)
Knowing what we know - who do you draft in a re-draft? 18 yr old Crosby or 18 yr old McDavid?
If given the chance to draft either Crosby or McDavid at 18, knowing how they panned out as players in reality, who do you draft, and why? Also - how close of a decision is it for you? Age to age - McDavid is having the better career so far. I think that's almost unquestionable. But a redraft...
One year later now - McDavid still doesn't have a cup but he just put arguably the best playoff run of the cap era. Smythe, but no cup. Have opinions changed?
Please comment on who you're voting and how close of a decision it is, or not.
