After watching Wednesday night’s game, I was questioning the NHL and how they treat Sidney Crosby. During the game, I witnessed more lenience towards Crosby than any other player in the NHL. For example, on Saturday night against the Leafs, Chris Higgins was pushed into Vesa Toskala, a penalty was called for goaltender interference. Let’s fast forward to Wednesday, where Sidney Crosby was charging the net and Roman Hamrlik gave him a shove. Crosby made no effort to avoid Carey Price, even more; Crosby lowered his head and knocked Price over. No penalty was called and the Penguins scored a goal. I also was inclined to ask myself whether the referees are more likely to call a penalty on a player when it is against Crosby. For example, Mike Komisarek was highsticked by Mats Sundin during the game last Saturday. Komisarek was bleeding and needed to leave the ice to get stitches. No penalty was called. On Wednesday night, while in a battle with Sidney Crosby behind the play, Mike Komisarek skims the back of Crosby’s helmet with his stick. A penalty was called only after Crosby gestured the infraction to the referee. The double standard isn’t evident; however, it’s something worth debating. Like any argument there are two sides and both are worth investigating.

Why should there be a Double Standard for Sidney Crosby?

Others may argue that Sidney Crosby should have special treatment because he’s the face of the NHL and if anything were to happen to him and his career, the NHL would follow the same path. There is a lot of money invested in Sidney Crosby not only from the Pittsburgh Penguins organization but his many sponsors. Sidney Crosby is a cash cow for the NHL and he should be protected by all means. Moreover, the NHL is currently coming out of very turbulent times and Sidney Crosby has for long been dubbed “the Next One”, hence, he could very much be the savior of the NHL.

Why shouldn’t there be a double standard for Sidney Crosby?

It’s pretty simple, actually. Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Pavel Bure, and so on, all of these superstars had to tough it out and take what was given to them. Every time someone touches Sidney Crosby he whines. He’s like a spoiled child. When he doesn’t get what he wants he cries about it. Alex Ovechkin doesn’t get even close to the same treatment as Sidney Crosby. When he is hit, he takes it. When he hits someone else, he accepts the consequences. This is how Sidney Crosby should be. I guarantee you if Sidney Crosby were to commit the actions of Steve Downie or Jessie Boulerice, Crosby would probably walk away with a game misconduct and a fine, in other words, a slap on the wrist. I’m not saying that Sidney Crosby should be treated the same way as Steve Downie would be, however, he certainly shouldn’t be given such high treatment. It’s basically giving him the ok to do what he pleases. Sidney Crosby should be treated like any other superstar in this league and nothing above that.

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