Ottawa Sun columnist Erin Nicks levels her guns at the Golden Child this week:

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Pittsburgh/2006/02/05/1427090-sun.html

Yanno what? I agree with her. I’m sure that Sid’s a nice kid and all–but come on, people. The amount of excusemaking that people have been engaging in for the kid’s behaviour this season is absolutely mind-boggling.

I’m sorry, but if it was (for example) Aleksandr Ovechkin whining and crying like Sid’s been doing, fans, the mediots north of 49, and Don freaking Cherry (who is in a class all by himself) would have been all over him like white on rice.

Ovechkin should be the poster boy for the New NHL. This is a guy who just loves to play and doesn’t give a rat’s ass that his team is in the freaking basement–give him a stick and a pair of skates and point him to the ice, and he’s a happy camper. So what if his English isn’t that great? I met the guy in Raleigh–his English is miles better now than it was in 2004, trust me. He’s a smart guy, he’s personable, wickedly skilled, and he loves what he does and does well no matter how the Capitals are doing.

Or, as he once put it: “So? I’ve got Halpern and (lists off 5 other teammates).”

Sure, he’s a little on the arrogant side (and he freely admits it, so perhaps he’s not quite so arrogant)–but the dude is wise enough to know what’s up and that he’s responsible for himself and what he does, and he’s a team player.

Sid can’t say that–and yet the chances are good that he’ll be getting the Calder Trophy in June. Yet another accolade that he hasn’t earned.