I wonder if the Pens fans really understand how fortunate you are. I'm not much of a hockey fan anymore (even though I used a Leafs avatar on the trib board), but this city is insane about it.
The Pens were on their way out of Pittsburgh in 1984 when they happened to be awful enough at just the right time to receive the gift of Mario Lemieux. That Stanley Cup team with him, Jagr, Coffey and Francis - 4 first ballot, front of the line HOFers - was the most star studded lineup since Edmonton had Mark Messier on the second line.
Then, well after Mario moves from the ice to the owner's box, the team seems destined to leave Pittsburgh once again. Then, lo and behold, Crosby and Malkin in back to back drafts, at the same time as the CBA is redone to limit the money that they have to pay them.
As a 20 year old, this guy is poised to lead his team to the cup. Whether or not they actually win it all this year is almost irrelevant. The fact is that the fans of the team will get to watch this guy play every night. Watch him go from talented teen to probably one of the greatest in history.
There really isn't an equivalent in football because no one player can dominate the game the way it can be done in hockey or basketball, but imagine having Bulls season's ticket the year they draft Jordan, and not giving them up until after he retired.
Pens fans are in for a very special experience. Most Leaf fans in this city would give their left nut to be in that position here. Then again, these days most Leaf fans would give their first born just to see the playoffs again.
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