A So-Called Expert’s Delirium

There was a great scene in the Oscar-winning film, Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), where Dustin Hoffman’s character is told he’s being let go from work by his boss during a seemingly pleasant lunch. The news came at the absolute worst time for Hoffman’s character because he was in the fetal stages of a custody battle for his son. Feeling the weight of the world crumbling on his shoulder, Hoffman responds to his boss, “Shame on you,” as he fights off the internal need to unleash his true-feelings, i.e. rage, and shout expletives. Had he done the latter, the audience, while certainly understanding, would’ve felt a little less sympathetic for the character. The simple “Shame on you,” was as powerful an expression of frustration as any.

I share this little cinematic insight because it closely parallels a recent encounter I had with an NHL.COM article written by Mike G. Morreale, in which he ranks the Top 10 Russian players in the league today.

When my eyes caught glimpse of Evgeni Malkin’s name slated next to the number three, I wanted to do that which sends most people to maximum security prisons. Instead, in zen-like fashion, I recalled the aforementioned film and will take this opportunity to act accordingly.

“Shame on you,” Mike G. Morreale.

While superstars Alexander Ovechkin and Pavel Datsyuk deserve recognition as not only the top 10 Russian players, but the top overall players in the NHL, they do not belong on either list ahead of Evgeni Malkin.

Malkin is a seasoned NHL veteran after only three full seasons. He already has 49 games of grueling playoff hockey experience under his belt. What’s more, had it not been for the sexiness of scoring goals in the NHL these days, he would’ve been a two-time Hart trophy winner and Art Ross trophy Winner.

But forget that glitter and nonsense. He’ll take the Conn Smythe trophy over any other in the league, except the Stanley Cup.

He has both, though.

But more importantly, Geno Machino, at worst, was a co-pilot with Sidney Crosby on a private jet en route to NHL history.

“Whoa, hold on!” you might be thinking. “Didn’t Datsyuk win a Cup, too?”

Yeah. He did. He won two, to be precise. But Datsyuk was equally as invisible in 2001-02 when he won his first Cup as he was in 2008-09 when he lost to Malkin and the Penguins. Further, the guy is 31-years-old. He has but a couple of years left in his prime. I’m all up for giving credit where credit is due, but I have a fetish for context, too.

Turning attention now to Ovechkin…

In the words of reputable Pittsburgh sports-radio talk show host Mark Madden, “Who’d he ever beat?”

Seriously.

As mentioned, Malkin played in 49 playoff games; Ovechkin played 21. Malkin played in the Stanley Cup Finals twice; Ovechkin never has. Malkin has won a Cup; Ovechkin hasn’t. Let’s not forget that Ovechkin has played four full seasons, while Malkin has played in three.

In plain English, Malkin has done more in less time. And don’t be one of those people who says to that, “You mean he’s done more WITH more!”

That’s rubbish.

For two consecutive seasons now, NHL experts have preached about Washington’s depth and skill and young talent, just before they threw in Ovechkin’s name to all but seal the deal in making them the team to beat in the East. After two playoff failures, all of a sudden, “Well, the Penguins have Crosby and Malkin and Staal…”

Sit down. Don’t give me that nonsense.

I would think that NHL experts would concede the title of Top 10 Russian player to someone who just won an Art Ross, Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup, all at the age of 22.

I guess not.

And for that, again I say, “Shame on you.”