(Credit: Center Ice Chat)

Crosby is certainly not short on skill or compete level. He has proven to be one of the best players in the game and one of the best captains. Yes, he whines, perhaps a little too much, but in the end, he has that special something that makes him a great player, teammate, and leader. It would seem that any top tier player in any professional sport raises the level of those around them, which could be simply based on the fact that while they are playing, the opposition has to pay special attention to the most eminent threat allowing for extra space, time, and/or improved opportunity for their teammates. That being said, there are only a handful of players that understand how they can and do affect the team and what levers to pull at the appropriate time to ensure maximum output. Whether it is direct participation in a play, a mental push from the bench, something as subtle as a maximum effort to create space, and most importantly, the ability to sacrifice the possible moment of glory to win. These are the intangibles that Crosby brings to any team he is a part of.

The primary intangible Ovechkin brings to any team is intimidation. As we pointed out there are very few that can instill fear in not only each individual on an opposing team, but the coaching staff as well. Unfortunately, as Ovechkin goes, so does the rest of the team, and thus if an opponent can execute on a strategy to shut Ovechkin down, whether it be with the Washington Capitals or Team Russia, it is highly unlikely that his club will come home with the hardware.

(Credit: Center Ice Chat)

Crosby is certainly not short on skill or compete level. He has proven to be one of the best players in the game and one of the best captains. Yes, he whines, perhaps a little too much, but in the end, he has that special something that makes him a great player, teammate, and leader. It would seem that any top tier player in any professional sport raises the level of those around them, which could be simply based on the fact that while they are playing, the opposition has to pay special attention to the most eminent threat allowing for extra space, time, and/or improved opportunity for their teammates. That being said, there are only a handful of players that understand how they can and do affect the team and what levers to pull at the appropriate time to ensure maximum output. Whether it is direct participation in a play, a mental push from the bench, something as subtle as a maximum effort to create space, and most importantly, the ability to sacrifice the possible moment of glory to win. These are the intangibles that Crosby brings to any team he is a part of.

The primary intangible Ovechkin brings to any team is intimidation. As we pointed out there are very few that can instill fear in not only each individual on an opposing team, but the coaching staff as well. Unfortunately, as Ovechkin goes, so does the rest of the team, and thus if an opponent can execute on a strategy to shut Ovechkin down, whether it be with the Washington Capitals or Team Russia, it is highly unlikely that his club will come home with the hardware.