The Hockey News: Headlines: Sidney Crosby dismisses handshake flap with the Detroit Red Wings

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Sidney Crosby dismisses handshake flap with the Detroit Red Wings

2009-06-14 21:00:00

PITTSBURGH - Sidney Crosby isn't apologizing for unintentionally failing to shake hands with some Detroit players after Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, saying he didn't realize the Red Wings were leaving the ice before he joined the handshake line.

During a chaotic post-game scene on the crowded Joe Louis Arena ice following Pittsburgh's 2-1 victory on Friday, Crosby was ushered to several live TV interviews by NHL personnel, hugged some teammates and was handed the Stanley Cup by commissioner Gary Bettman.

Crosby was celebrating when Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom, alternate captain Kris Draper and some other key Red Wings players went to their dressing room. Crosby estimates he shook hands with about half the team, including goalie Chris Osgood and coach Mike Babcock, who congratulated him on his leadership ability.

That wasn't enough to satisfy Draper, who told The Associated Press that "Nick was waiting and waiting, and Crosby didn't come over to shake his hand. That's ridiculous, especially as their captain, and make sure you write that I said that!"

Crosby finds any suggestion that he would intentionally avoid shaking hands nonsensical, saying, "It's the easiest thing in the world to shake hands after you win."

After losing is different, as the Penguins experienced a year ago against Detroit, so Crosby understands why some Red Wings players quickly shook hands and left before the Penguins' post-game celebration began.

"I really don't need to talk to anyone from Detroit about it," Crosby said Sunday. "I made the attempt to go shake hands. I've been on that side of things, too, I know it's not easy, waiting around. I just won the Stanley Cup, and I think I have the right to celebrate with my teammates.

"On their side of things, I understand if they don't want to wait around."

At 21, Crosby is the youngest captain to win a Stanley Cup, but he routinely shows an understanding of NHL traditions and it would be out of character for him to snub any such ritual.

"I had no intentions of trying to skip guys and not shake their hands," Crosby said. "I think that was a pretty unreasonable comment. The guys I shook their hands with, they realized I made the attempt. If I could shake half their team's hands, I'm sure the other half wasn't too far behind. I don't know what happened there.

"I have no regrets. I've been on both sides of it, and it's not fun being on the losing end. But it doesn't change anything. You still shake hands no matter what."

COMMENTS (30)

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johnny Posted
(2009-06-16 21:00:34)

It is not crosby's responsibility to lead his team to a handshake line in accordance with the losing Captains time table. Where do you get this stuff from. Crosby did fine. If Lidstrom does not want to wait for the winner to come to him then he can leave the ice. Lidstrom has never been in Crosby's shoes, and to critisize a 21 year old that came through and delivered with the weight of the league on his shoulders is plain old sour grapes, I would go as far as calling it envy. Wayne Gretzky did not ask Denis Potvin what he should do after winning his first cup, and Crosby does not need to ask Lidstrom. I used to respect Detroit but since this "you don't want to shake my hand" BS started I have lost all respect for this team. This is not detroit's time. This time belongs to the penguins. All the players in Detroit should be quiet and let the new Champions enjoy their spot light.

bcroy19 Posted
(2009-06-16 16:48:15)

I can't understand the people on these posts. Look, I can make it simple for you. Crosby is the face of the NHL - like it or not (personally, I do not). He is the captain of the winning team. His SOLE responsibility at the end of the game was to LEAD his team through the handshake line, look his opponents dead in the eye and simply say "good game". I've always assumed readers on here are hockey people. This is something every hockey player is taught to do, win or lose, after every tournament and game. It shows class, leadership, and respect for your opponent but Crosby couldn't handle it? C'mon. The only problem I have with Crosby is that he does not act with maturity, class, or respect. He acts like a spoiled child who's used to getting his way. If he is going to be the person who represents the NHL to the world (a pretty awesome responsibility) then he cannot act like a spoiled kid. He needs to act like a man. To this point, I don't think he's up to the task.

pescador Posted
(2009-06-16 10:47:40)

It’s fun to see the wings fans making fools of themselves. They are the most annoying fans in the NHL. Even if it takes a while for someone to come over to the handshake line, if you want to be a good sport, you’ll wait. “icebunny,” who are you to judge a man from a wuss?” And to declare that Crosby won’t be playing in the NHL for more than 10 years is just plain dumb. Here’s the best from icebunny – “If it was someone else who snubbed the handshake, they would be fined.” Draper and McCarty snubbed the handshake, no fine. Buckeye – you’re a little out of control with the whole Bettman thing. “Idiot cheerleader?” “Wetting his pants?” “Personal crusade team?” Your team has had plenty of things go their way. Get over it. And by the way, your “40 year tradition” is a delay. No other team in the NHL is allowed to have a ceremony for lobbing something on the ice, so why should it be different with your wings?

loufontinato Posted
(2009-06-16 04:46:16)

NO DOUBT THE NHL IS AT FAULT FOR THIS BREACH OF ETIQUETTE. THE HANDSHAKE CEREMONY IN THE 60'S WAS STARTED WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF THE END OF THE GAME. THIS TIME HONOURED RITUAL IN THOSE DAYS TOOK PRECEDENCE OVER EVERYTHING ELSE AND SHOULD TODAY.

tiny19 Posted
(2009-06-15 17:55:50)

History repeats itself once again. Last in line in 2008 and last in line in 2009. I guess that is the captain pushing his team through the line instead of leading them. Must be the beginning of a new tradition.

igloomaniac Posted
(2009-06-15 17:26:10)

There was a great point made a few posts back about the fact that the Pens waited until the Red Wings finished celebrating before they formed the handshake line last year. If Draper was so concerned about being a great sportsman, why didn't he make it a point to wait and shake everyone's hand instead of skating off the ice with the half of the team that didn't shake Crosby's hand? (I believe Hossa was in that group...justice has never been so sweet. How's that choice workin' for ya Mary?) I don't see where Draper gets off thinking that the world has to stop for him. And all this yapping about Ovechkin? C'mon...if he's so great, why didn't he lift the Cup Friday? He's a very talented player, but his mouth and sunglasses can only take him so far. And Ovechkin didn't make any cheap shots in the playoffs? Naaahhhhh....he only almost (ALMOST) took Gonchar out for the rest of the season with that shot to his knee! All of you chewing on sour grapes can hate the Pens all you want. However, find a better complaint to piggyback on than a poor loser's even poorer complaint.

gooord Posted
(2009-06-15 17:08:55)

You are right on davedean. What is comes down to is old men hating successful young men. This is true in any occupation. Once Crosby is older, all the old farts out there will love him the way they do Gretzky and Lemieux. I bet there aren't too many young kids out there writing this crap about Sid; they love him.

davedean1 Posted
(2009-06-15 16:20:29)

Let's make up another reason to hate Crosby. Can you all just admit you don't like his punk face? He is easy to hate because he is the only 21 year old speaking on camera every night. There is nothing wrong with him, he is just acting his age. He's not super-human, he's just a regular guy. And I'd like to remind everyone with a short memory how despised Gretzky and Lemieux were by fans and the media in the 80s/90s. They may be regarded as saints by the hockey community now, but I would bet my life that they remember all the same BS and sympathize with Sid. I challenge all you Sid haters to come back here and say all the same things after he pops in the winner for Team Canada in the Gold medal game next year.

knuckledragger Posted
(2009-06-15 15:20:47)

Ahhh The stuff of legends...Bobby Baun playing with a broken leg... Sidney Crosby leaving a Stanley Cup game Seven in-progress because he "tweaked something"... good grief. Somebody please check this kid's passport? Are we sure this sucker-punching, quitting, no-class whiner is really Canadian ?