A Lack Of Self-Discipline

It is obvious that Sidney Crosby is one of the most talented players in the NHL.  He has the ability to become the player who dominates a generation.  He won the 2007 Hart Trophy as a 19 year old and seemed to be well on his way to a significant period as the standard barer for the NHL.  This is yet to happen.  He was not a Hart Trophy nominee in either of the last two seasons.  His team won the 2009 Stanley Cup, but he was not chosen as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.  Crosby remains one of the best players in the NHL, but he is unable to make the jump to be the best player in the game.  I think one reason for this is immaturity and a lack of self-discipline.  One clear symptom of this is his penalty total.  Crosby has 31 penalty minutes so far this season.  That puts him second on his Pittsburgh Penguins team (behind Jay McKee).  He leads the NHL in minor penalties (with 13 - tied with Hal Gill of Montreal).  There is no reason Sidney Crosby should lead the league in minor penalties.