Red Wings’ Kris Draper Says Sidney Crosby Snubbed Lidstrom
Total Pro Sports - Following a Stanley Cup victory, it is easy for players of the winning team to get all caught up in the emotions that come with such an achievement. Sometimes they can even get a little too caught up in the moment.
That was the excuse that Pittsburgh Penguins vice president Tom McMillan gave following accusations from the Red Wings' Kris Draper that Pens captain Sidney Crosby snubbed Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom during post-game handshakes.
“Nick was waiting and waiting, and Crosby didn’t come over to shake his hand,” Draper told an Associated Press reporter a couple hours later as he was leaving Joe Louis Arena. “That’s ridiculous, especially as their captain, and make sure you write that I said that!” [NBC Sports]
In response to Draper's comments, McMillan had the following to say:
“Nobody respects the traditions of hockey more than Sidney Crosby. It was a young team celebrating its first Cup and some of the guys might have been a little late getting into the handshake line.”
After celebrating for a while and relishing the moment, Crosby eventually made his way over to shake hands, but by that time Lidstrom and several other Red Wings had already made their way to the dressing room. Players on the losing team are often quick to leave the ice following the loss and this was no different. Johan Franzen, who injured Crosby during the game, was still around and exchanged words with the Pens captain. Sid also shook some other hands before returning to his teammates to celebrate.
It is tough to say if either party's actions were wrong. The post-series handshake is a customary thing in the NHL playoffs and should be respected by all players. It is unsportsmanlike to have the other team wait and watch as you take your time celebrating. And let's face it. No one likes to be snubbed. Not even by Alex Rios, or Dana White.
Was that the case here? Check out this clip see for yourself.
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That was the excuse that Pittsburgh Penguins vice president Tom McMillan gave following accusations from the Red Wings’ Kris Draper that Pens captain Sidney Crosby snubbed Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom during post-game handshakes.
Give me a break. Feeling like idiots for blowing 2-0 and 3-2 in the worst collapse in Stanley Cup history they sure were in a hurry to exist. Show some consideration. Remember last year? The Penguins stared and waited till the Red Wings were ready. Do unto others as you’d have done unto you.
Give me a break. Lidstrom and Draper waited about 15 seconds…..seriously. In addition to the initial celebration (which the Pens had to watch last year before the handshake line began) Crosby was being pulled this way and that by the NHL and NBC and CBC and ESPN etc from the momment the game ended. Give it up already!
It’s easy to appear “classy” when you win four championships, but maybe in defeat players’ true colors come out……enjoy your sour grapes Draper and Detroit.
I’ll be sure to file this under category “W” for Waaahhhhh. The Red wings lost, Crosby is being grabbed up by all kinds of media. Get over it.
I’ve heard both sides of this, and Draper’s the only one making accusations. From my couch, it lookes like Lidstrom left when everyone started booing. I’d be a little embarrassed if that’s how the fans acted when I’m still on the ice about to shake hands with the other team. The shelf-life of the Detroit fan’s manners had expired, and their shower of boos was nothing Lidstrom was going to associate himself with. Draper however, was in his element. Lidstrom’s clear of this incident in my book, no harm no foul. Then pens were curious at least last year and stuck around. That doesnt mean the Red Wing have to watch them skate the cup around. There was still a handshake line and everyone to a player/coach/trainer/skate sharpener shook another players hand. Drop it Draper. Just a little more class than when Tom Brady ran off the field when the Giants beat them in XLI…Classless, like Draper. But leave Lidstrom alone.
crosby a petulant little brat. He had a lousy series and doesn’t have the stones to do what is right. The CAPTAIN according to tradition lines up in front. Theer ahve been other who waited most of there lives to get a shot at the cup and didn’t act like him.
As for mentioning it, Lidstrom being the nice person that he is, blows it off, but did suggest he might mention it to Crosby at the awards tonight. Zetterberg also mentioned it on monday. It was classless.
can you believe that Lidstrom played the whole series after having surgery to repair his testicles and shut down the Crosby the way he did.