Updated: Jul 22, 2005, 4:55 PM

Vote: Can Sidney Crosby save the NHL?


The future of hockey is headed for Pittsburgh, but will he arrive with the NHL's future on his back? Even during the darkest days of the lockout, the whispers about a phenom ready to save the game were never difficult to hear. While the NHL's owners and players bickered and argued for months, Crosby put the finishing touches on one of the more memorable junior-hockey careers since, well, since Mario Lemieux.

But can Crosby, like LeBron James in basketball, possibly live up to such wild expectations? Does he face the impossible task of saving a doomed league, or is he the right face to win back bitter fans and convert new ones to the game? Vote, SportsNation!
  • 1) When did you first hear of Sidney Crosby?
  • 2) Which team would have been the ideal winner of Friday's draft lottery?
  • 3) What are your expectations for Crosby's NHL career?
  • 4) Between prospective new ownership and Sidney Crosby, what is the outlook for Pittsburgh's future?
  • 5) Will playing in a smaller market like Pittsburgh hurt Sidney Crosby's star power?
  • 6) How much will playing with Mario Lemieux help Crosby's development?
  • 7) Will Crosby be able to win back a significant number of disenchanted hockey fans to the NHL?
  • 8) Will Crosby be able to convert a significant number of non-hockey fans to the game?
  • 9) How many points will Crosby total in his rookie season?
  • 10) How much will the rule changes increase scoring in the NHL this season?

ESPN Conversation

Showing: 0 of 0 comments

0/1500

Member comments together with Member Names may be used on TV and other ESPN media platforms.

    Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

    THIS WEEK'S CHATS

    Thursday, November 19 Friday, November 20Saturday, November 21Monday, November 23Tuesday, November 24
    Wednesday, November 25

    "SportsNation" on ESPN2!

    Watch "SportsNation" Monday-Friday at 4 p.m. and midnight ET on ESPN2 with Colin and Michelle!
    NO SHOW FRIDAY!


    Best of the Week:

    Daily Ranker!

    Would you pick Chris Johnson over Adrian Peterson in a battle of the NFL's top running backs? Rank 'Em!

    Game Time!

    Today on Pop Culture we ask: Is a giant crab a good opponent for Manny Pacquiao? Vote!
    SportsNation

    Talk To Us!

    Send feedback via Twitter
    Join our Facebook group
    SportsNation

    Join SportsNation »