Crosby leads his Penguins by example

By Rob Rossi
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, May 9, 2008



Forgive forward Tyler Kennedy if Sidney Crosby's stature as the NHL's brightest star is not obvious during his conversations with the Penguins' first-year captain.

"I just don't think about him that way anymore, and I haven't for a while," Kennedy said Thursday from inside the Penguins dressing room at Mellon Arena, where Crosby rules as perhaps no other 20-year-old should or could. "Maybe it's because we're always goofing around?"

"When I first got here, there was so much talk about him. I saw him on the ice and right away I knew all the talk was right on. He is so strong, so fast and so good. He steps off the ice and everything he does - you kind of forget about it.

"He was the first guy that talked to me at training camp. I got an impression he was a good guy. Having been around him most of the season, I can tell you he's more than just a good guy.

"He's a great captain."

Crosby has read the sentence enough times to lose count: The Penguins are his team.

They are, of course, but mostly because he never allows teammates to feel that way.

"I think all our guys are what make our team so special," Crosby said. "I try to lead by example, but it takes everyone."

Crosby has won over everyone that occupies a locker-room stall - from Kennedy, a rookie, to left wing Gary Roberts, a veteran of 20 NHL seasons. He has done it by doing little things that often go unnoticed to those not paying attention.

The Crosby only the Penguins know is not the so-called kid who sits on a stage in a media room after playoff practices to answer questions. He does so only after a carefree chat with No. 3 goaltender Dany Sabourin, who has not played since Feb. 21.

He will answer every question, perhaps in cliches.

First, though, he must discuss faceoff strategy with Adam Hall. Then he will trade barbs with defenseman Ryan Whitney. Finally, Crosby is sure to toss a Gatorade bottle in the direction of forward Jeff Taffe, who has yet to dress in the playoffs but is always made to feel as though he is a key component to the Penguins' success.

"I don't know if it was surprising, but it was interesting to come to this team and see how he handled everything," said Hall, who had not met Crosby prior to earning a roster spot in training camp. "He is one of those guys with a presence. As most great players do, he carries a lot of weight.

"It was refreshing, though, to see - and you see it pretty quick - that he is a normal guy. Not just that; he's a great guy. He wants to hang out with his teammates, talk about everything that's going on. He makes everybody feel comfortable, and he doesn't have to.

"Maybe it's something he works really hard at, but I don't think so. That's just Sid."

Crosby's preferred brand of leadership-by-example combines Steve Yzerman's stoicism and Mark Messier's intensity. It has nothing to do with his ability to pile points at a rate few can match. His 1.38 points-per-game average is tops among all players over the past three seasons.

He has actually bettered that rate with 14 points in nine playoff games - a fact that debunks claims his 2008 postseason performance is disappointing.

"That's so stupid," forward Max Talbot said. "People keep saying he's not playing well. He's at (1.55) points-per-game, and there are people saying, 'Sid needs to step up.'

"People don't get it. He's the captain of a team that is eight wins from the Stanley Cup, something he's talked about winning since he was at least 14. He's 20. He's the best player in the world. He's the most talked about hockey player. He needs to step up?

"Does anybody think we've come this far because he hasn't stepped up?"

No, but Crosby has never concerned himself with what anybody thinks - at least not anybody outside his dressing room.

"His personality... it's pretty contagious," defenseman Brooks Orpik said. "It's not him saying anything, just his approach. It's every single day. He's constantly being watched by guys on his own team, and guys learn so much from how he reacts to situations.

"It starts with Sid. We've come a long way, but it starts with Sid."

Rob Rossi can be reached at rrossi@tribweb.com or 412-380-5635.