I think this column by Erin Nicks is pretty predictable:
An open letter to Pittsburgh Penguins fans, hockey fans, and the reverent admirers of No. 87:I don't know if you're aware of this, but ... I don't have to like Sidney Crosby.
No you don't, but don't mistake hating the hype machine with hating the player. By any reasonable measure, Crosby, like a number of other rookies, is having an exceptional season. Sure, he might dive and complain about some calls, but everybody dives, even Peter Forsberg (subscription required).
So let up on Sid, and think of taking a moment to just watch him play. Besides, if he had managed to score from his knees against the Rangers a few weeks back, the race for the Calder might be a whole lot closer.
One other thing: I saw a poll on TSN on Saturday night asking a multiple choice question of which event in sports was most likely to happen in the near future. I don't recall all the choices, but the runaway winner was Alex Ovechkin winning the Calder. Please note that this poll was taken just as Ovechkin's incredible scoring pace has slackened because of all the extra attention he's getting.
I still think Ovechkin will win the Calder, but the race may be a whole lot closer than most folks realize.
The race should be a whole lot closer, if only because of how well Henrik Lundqvist and Dion Phaneuf have played this season.