Malkin vs Crosby: Who is better?

Ok, maybe not as great of a mystery, but right up there. Honestly, there is no true way to tell. I mean, look at it, you would have to have the exact same team for two periods in a row, one with Crosby and one with Malkin. So far we have had a team that was good surrounding Geno when Sid went down with the high ankle sprain. We have a team now that is ok, but we also have 5 other regulars missing. It is kind of an unfair comparison.

I love watching people write that we should get rid of one of them and get a ton in return. I have only one thing to say about that... Jaromir Jagr trade. Now I know our ownership is much better now and would never let one of them leave if they could help it. The thought is ridiculous. Yes, we are paying them alot and they would make more for another team, but they couldn't be the best one two punch in the NHL then. They are taking a combined 4.6 to 5 million less than they could have. That is the equivalent of two to three pretty good wingers. If they were greedy players like, say, Alexander Ovechkin and took over 10 million, then we could consider pulling the trigger on a blockbuster trade, but they aren't. They are very unselfish and that is a great attribute for our fans to see.

Now back to who is better. If you remember, the first time Crosby was injured with that ankle, Malkin was ok and he held the ship. Crosby came back and brought everyone to another level. Bing was injured one other time for some time and the same thing happened. Geno was injured to start out his career here with his shoulder dislocation and we couldn't tell if it made a difference because he never really played. We now have the visualization of Malkin being injured and us losing. Is it because of him or the 3 top defensemen and key wingers being out? I say it is obviously a combination.

Will we definitely get back on the winning track tonight against Boston? I think so, but not as much for Malkin coming back, but for the fact that they are being outplayed, not being out-skilled. We are better than we are playing, even with the players that are on the ice. I will tell you this much, when we get everyone back from their injuries, you will see that dominant team from the beginning of the season from then on out.

Don't fret, we will get back into this. Good thing we came out with such an explosive start. We are still up there in the standings with 6 injuries, I think that is saying something.

Bottom line is that it really doesn't matter who is better, as long as they are both on our team. If you are going to force me into an answer, I would have to say they are equal. They both have different skills and those skills benefit each of them. They are opposites, they play differently with the same results.

Let's Go Pens!