Spoken like someone who would support someone like Putin.
DivClassLg
What a dickbag
gs1100e
Nobody said aging is easy. Get over it Ovi.
Bryanole27
Objectively speaking, is he wrong? Sincerely asking.
clonicle
They were the next big thing after the Gretzky/Lemieux era. There may have been a lull if it wasn’t them, but that vacuum would have been filled.
But let’s be real. The only thing the NHL needs saving from is in the Commissioner’s Office.
crispybark
Crosby and Ovi 100% saved the NHL
Bobdonwon
He’s not wrong. Can’t wait to see who takes their places.
Stockersandwhich
He’s not wrong. Crosby is among the league leaders in points after 2 decades in the league. Ovi is chasing history. They arnt gone.
If it weren’t for them after the lockout, Bettman would’ve been shitting their pants.
PoemInternational605
He didn’t say “he” saved the league. He said “we”. He AND Crosby. In a lot of ways they did. They definitely brought another spark. Crosby lead Pittsburg to multiple cups, and Ovi was a scoring machine. The rivalry they have had has been one of the best is pro sports. They are the Manning/Brady of the NHL. just my opinion.
SnakeCharmer711
He isn’t wrong, post lockout NHL was struggling hence the rule changes that were meant to draw in a betrayed fan base, Ovi and Sid rivalry was some of the best and most competitive hockey ever, tbh the Ovi/Malkin feud was crazier imo even though everyone was focused on Sid and Ovi
Ok-Sir-2728
You saved nothing Pal, from Reg Noble, Kimg Clancy, Eddie Shore, Richard, Howe, the honourable Believeau, Orr, Lafleur, Bossy, Gretzky, Lemieux, Yzerman. You merely had a piece in passing the game to the younger generation, dare I say your own child.
God bless to all the hockey greats, just an extra hug to the ones from Canada !!!!!
LPB39
He’s not wrong. After the rule changes they were the perfect players to come into the league and transform it. Every goal scorer today grew up watching them
Brookie069
He is absolutely right, and I am glad he recognizes Crosby as his equal in that instead of trying to one up him. Shows some real maturity from where they started.
GrumpyOldGrower
Saved the NHL… that’s pretty debatable. There is no doubt they brought a new level of excitement and talent to the game. They are certainly all time greats, first ballot Hall of Famers, generational talents, and still absolute superstars in the league. They will likely still be elite level players when they choose to retire.
I just don’t think the league needed « saving ».
Edit: if there was any « saving » that happened, it was the NHL saving itself from the 2 line pass/neutral zone trap, which was changed in the 04-05 lockout.
PeteysHurtAgain
No. The lockout and finally enforcing the rules saved the NHL.
Scamnam
He’s got a point. They both came into the league after the dead puck era and the start of the salary cap era. .. I can’t recall any rivalry before them during the late 90s early 2000 that was hyped up as Crosby VS Ovechkin
TacticalMadness19
I have become to respect Ovi. Hate that motherfucker when the Pens and Caps play but yes, him and Crosby is a rivalry that like Lemieux and Gretzky, will be talked about forever, Ovi and Sid help spark the next generation of players. The dude is not wrong.
InsideErmine69
Crosby definitely saved the penguins they damn near relocated
JoeIsIce
I wouldn’t go so far as to say he and Crosby « saved » the league, but they definitely carried the torch passed from guys like Gretzky and Lemuiex, and carried it damn well. Two of the most dominant and influential players of their generation. So hopefully new guys like McDavid, Makar and Bedard can carry it with as much class and skill as they did!
Financial_Bottle_813
Egos go with a gig like his. Maybe a bit much here but not really surprising.
It was definitely good timing post trap era etc… He’s not completely wrong here.
McDavid is however superior to both and it would be lovely if he won a cup or two to remove that from any potential BS counter narrative.
412gage
I agree
Wallio_
I mean…..he’s not wrong.
pulpoinhell
he is 100% correct. him, syd, and gary.
ChapitoDito
He’s right Him, Crosby and Malkin those guys definitely put the league that was coming off a lockout on their backs. Remember at that time the “big” stars were retiring or on the way to retirement. (Gretzky, Lemieux, Roy, Yzerman etc)
NorthDakotaFat
Same way sosa and big Mac « saved » baseball
FuzzyClint
Why is he whining about this
Icefiight
Saved may be a stretch but damn did their arrival time perfectly with the old guard leaving (Gretzky/Lemieux) and the league coming out of a lockout….
So it does feel like they brought the nhl “back” almost like bird and magic did to bball, but on a lower scale.
Amazing two that the sport is happy to have to still kicking too
sandysanBAR
The empty net goal record isnt going to set itself.
Fit-FamTech
He’s mostly right. The sport was not in a good place and was desperate for a rivalry and a jolt of excellence when they started. “Saved” may be a bit strong, but definitely revitalized it.
guywhois0nline
Idk how you can look at the current NHL landscape and say that anything is « saved ».
Blackouts, lack of nationally televised games, absurdly priced streaming platforms are killing the NHL in a way that a few star players can’t save.
Comet_Empire
A bit grandiose. Did they have a positive impact, sure. Save the league…nope. If they never existed the NHL would have been just fine. It’s all speculation. Who knows maybe the league would be twice as big if they never existed or maybe it would be AHL2 and 5 teams smaller.
HaloKook
They both did yes
Master-File-9866
Ovechkin legacy is tainted in the blood of Ukrainians as he has failed to cpndem his bum buddy putins terrorist action
Yumhotdogstock
Yeah, no.
Great player, sure, lots of accomplishments.
How many Capitals games have I tried to watch since he entered the league, that were not finals or the occasional gimmick like the Winter Classic? None.
Lots of teams, lots of players, have done lots of things since he entered the league.
getzysbaldhead69
They absolutely did. I remember watching in early 2000s and coming out of the lockout, that Crosby vs Ovi rivalry was the most exciting and interesting thing in hockey in a long time
_jemappellejones
Lol what a clown
RIPRIF20
Him, and a handful of other players from his era….yes.
LT568690
Finally implementing a salary cap saved the NHL not any player.
Hangar-33
Ovechkin and Crosby absolutely defined their generation of the NHL, but there’s one major factor that propelled the NHL into the forefront as well, and that’s the explosion in popularity of console gaming.
[TSN did an amazing video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v89X5gJPn5Y) about how the NHL video game series, primarily the early-mid 2000s, defined the soundtrack for the NHL. I think that influence goes far further than just music, and also jumps into the realm of recognition for audiences.
The main audience for consoles around the mid-2000s were children and teens, and as a result, the NHL had its in with the younger generation. In the days before microtransactions, NHL games were played against AI or with a friend and a second controller, and I can remember switching back and forth between playing COD rounds split-screen and NHL06 with friends on weekend nights, not to mention the ability to recognize players on every team from playing Dynasty mode. Not to mention that around this time, the NHL videogames were undergoing some of their best graphical updates (looking between 2003-07 specifically) that made the games spectacles for sporting games at the time.
Yes, Ovechkin and Crosby did a helluva lot to put the NHL front and centre, but the proper managing of the brand was also a huge help and the role of media aimed towards younger audiences meant a lot of youth were also getting involved and are STILL involved in hockey as a result.
NickFotiu
Yeah right – he’ll probably claim that his breaking of Gretzky’s goal record one day brought peace to the middle east too.
thereal_omegavince
Was there a question that prompted this quote?
MooseInternational17
Me thinks bedard getting all the attention is getting to him.
ChuckFeathers
From who? Ukraine?
farstate55
No, he/they did not save the league. Apparently, he has a very self centered view of the league.
JiffTheJester
Do you live on Reddit?
TJTrapJesus
Most unlikable athlete in pro sports
MtSilverR3d
Patrick Kane and Patrice Bergeron can go pound sand apparently.
47 Comments
Spoken like someone who would support someone like Putin.
What a dickbag
Nobody said aging is easy. Get over it Ovi.
Objectively speaking, is he wrong? Sincerely asking.
They were the next big thing after the Gretzky/Lemieux era. There may have been a lull if it wasn’t them, but that vacuum would have been filled.
But let’s be real. The only thing the NHL needs saving from is in the Commissioner’s Office.
Crosby and Ovi 100% saved the NHL
He’s not wrong. Can’t wait to see who takes their places.
He’s not wrong. Crosby is among the league leaders in points after 2 decades in the league. Ovi is chasing history. They arnt gone.
If it weren’t for them after the lockout, Bettman would’ve been shitting their pants.
He didn’t say “he” saved the league. He said “we”. He AND Crosby. In a lot of ways they did. They definitely brought another spark. Crosby lead Pittsburg to multiple cups, and Ovi was a scoring machine. The rivalry they have had has been one of the best is pro sports. They are the Manning/Brady of the NHL. just my opinion.
He isn’t wrong, post lockout NHL was struggling hence the rule changes that were meant to draw in a betrayed fan base, Ovi and Sid rivalry was some of the best and most competitive hockey ever, tbh the Ovi/Malkin feud was crazier imo even though everyone was focused on Sid and Ovi
You saved nothing Pal, from Reg Noble, Kimg Clancy, Eddie Shore, Richard, Howe, the honourable Believeau, Orr, Lafleur, Bossy, Gretzky, Lemieux, Yzerman. You merely had a piece in passing the game to the younger generation, dare I say your own child.
God bless to all the hockey greats, just an extra hug to the ones from Canada !!!!!
He’s not wrong. After the rule changes they were the perfect players to come into the league and transform it. Every goal scorer today grew up watching them
He is absolutely right, and I am glad he recognizes Crosby as his equal in that instead of trying to one up him. Shows some real maturity from where they started.
Saved the NHL… that’s pretty debatable. There is no doubt they brought a new level of excitement and talent to the game. They are certainly all time greats, first ballot Hall of Famers, generational talents, and still absolute superstars in the league. They will likely still be elite level players when they choose to retire.
I just don’t think the league needed « saving ».
Edit: if there was any « saving » that happened, it was the NHL saving itself from the 2 line pass/neutral zone trap, which was changed in the 04-05 lockout.
No. The lockout and finally enforcing the rules saved the NHL.
He’s got a point. They both came into the league after the dead puck era and the start of the salary cap era. .. I can’t recall any rivalry before them during the late 90s early 2000 that was hyped up as Crosby VS Ovechkin
I have become to respect Ovi. Hate that motherfucker when the Pens and Caps play but yes, him and Crosby is a rivalry that like Lemieux and Gretzky, will be talked about forever, Ovi and Sid help spark the next generation of players. The dude is not wrong.
Crosby definitely saved the penguins they damn near relocated
I wouldn’t go so far as to say he and Crosby « saved » the league, but they definitely carried the torch passed from guys like Gretzky and Lemuiex, and carried it damn well. Two of the most dominant and influential players of their generation. So hopefully new guys like McDavid, Makar and Bedard can carry it with as much class and skill as they did!
Egos go with a gig like his. Maybe a bit much here but not really surprising.
It was definitely good timing post trap era etc… He’s not completely wrong here.
McDavid is however superior to both and it would be lovely if he won a cup or two to remove that from any potential BS counter narrative.
I agree
I mean…..he’s not wrong.
he is 100% correct. him, syd, and gary.
He’s right Him, Crosby and Malkin those guys definitely put the league that was coming off a lockout on their backs. Remember at that time the “big” stars were retiring or on the way to retirement. (Gretzky, Lemieux, Roy, Yzerman etc)
Same way sosa and big Mac « saved » baseball
Why is he whining about this
Saved may be a stretch but damn did their arrival time perfectly with the old guard leaving (Gretzky/Lemieux) and the league coming out of a lockout….
So it does feel like they brought the nhl “back” almost like bird and magic did to bball, but on a lower scale.
Amazing two that the sport is happy to have to still kicking too
The empty net goal record isnt going to set itself.
He’s mostly right. The sport was not in a good place and was desperate for a rivalry and a jolt of excellence when they started. “Saved” may be a bit strong, but definitely revitalized it.
Idk how you can look at the current NHL landscape and say that anything is « saved ».
Blackouts, lack of nationally televised games, absurdly priced streaming platforms are killing the NHL in a way that a few star players can’t save.
A bit grandiose. Did they have a positive impact, sure. Save the league…nope. If they never existed the NHL would have been just fine. It’s all speculation. Who knows maybe the league would be twice as big if they never existed or maybe it would be AHL2 and 5 teams smaller.
They both did yes
Ovechkin legacy is tainted in the blood of Ukrainians as he has failed to cpndem his bum buddy putins terrorist action
Yeah, no.
Great player, sure, lots of accomplishments.
How many Capitals games have I tried to watch since he entered the league, that were not finals or the occasional gimmick like the Winter Classic? None.
Lots of teams, lots of players, have done lots of things since he entered the league.
They absolutely did. I remember watching in early 2000s and coming out of the lockout, that Crosby vs Ovi rivalry was the most exciting and interesting thing in hockey in a long time
Lol what a clown
Him, and a handful of other players from his era….yes.
Finally implementing a salary cap saved the NHL not any player.
Ovechkin and Crosby absolutely defined their generation of the NHL, but there’s one major factor that propelled the NHL into the forefront as well, and that’s the explosion in popularity of console gaming.
[TSN did an amazing video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v89X5gJPn5Y) about how the NHL video game series, primarily the early-mid 2000s, defined the soundtrack for the NHL. I think that influence goes far further than just music, and also jumps into the realm of recognition for audiences.
The main audience for consoles around the mid-2000s were children and teens, and as a result, the NHL had its in with the younger generation. In the days before microtransactions, NHL games were played against AI or with a friend and a second controller, and I can remember switching back and forth between playing COD rounds split-screen and NHL06 with friends on weekend nights, not to mention the ability to recognize players on every team from playing Dynasty mode. Not to mention that around this time, the NHL videogames were undergoing some of their best graphical updates (looking between 2003-07 specifically) that made the games spectacles for sporting games at the time.
Yes, Ovechkin and Crosby did a helluva lot to put the NHL front and centre, but the proper managing of the brand was also a huge help and the role of media aimed towards younger audiences meant a lot of youth were also getting involved and are STILL involved in hockey as a result.
Yeah right – he’ll probably claim that his breaking of Gretzky’s goal record one day brought peace to the middle east too.
Was there a question that prompted this quote?
Me thinks bedard getting all the attention is getting to him.
From who? Ukraine?
No, he/they did not save the league. Apparently, he has a very self centered view of the league.
Do you live on Reddit?
Most unlikable athlete in pro sports
Patrick Kane and Patrice Bergeron can go pound sand apparently.