How good is Sidney Crosby?

[AcGold]

Orr, Lemieux, Gretzky, Howe, Jagr are the only superiors imo.

Sid is more impactful than Ovechkin;

If you had to take one which do you choose? Ovechkin is comparatively a one dimensional player. Offensive opportunistic winger versus well rounded center. I'd take Crosby 10 out of 10 times because he has more influence on the ice even if he has fewer goals. Crosby is in the corners mucking it up more, he's the one creating openings and drawing players away as Ovechkin waits in open areas hoping to pounce on an opportunity.

I can think of 5 players better than Crosby in history. Two Olympic golds and two Cups are four more championships than Ovechkin ever won. Crosby being a crucial player in all of them, literally scoring the game winner in OT to win an Olympic gold.

[squiggs96]

Maybe Scorpion could get a poll going. He hasn't started one today, so he's probably itching to get one posted.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by squiggs96

Maybe Scorpion could get a poll going. He hasn't started one today, so he's probably itching to get one posted.

Sorry if I'm being blunt, but why do you have the right to criticize every single thing I do? You're actually derailing this thread by introducing me into this equation.

I'm trying to run a summer activity. Other people do rankings like this all the time - do you get all huffy when they post daily polls? You don't have to be a total jerk about it, just because it's me. Give me a break.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I think he is, and will remain, behind Gretzky/Lemeiux/Howe/Orr/Jagr. I think he already is in the Sakic/Yzerman conversation (2 of my personal all-time favourites). I think he will end up around 1500 pts and is in the top 10 conversation. Ovi wouldn't be far behind, IMO.

[AcGold]

I've had the same thing Scorpion. Certain posters on here would follow me around for a few months making disparaging remarks because of a hatred from having out of the box opinions. Months of hate and backhanded insults simply for entertaining ideas and being inquisitive. Posters that I would avoid conflict with would make a condescending remark in every thread because I didn't hold their same beliefs.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

He was extremely highly regarded when he was drafted and continued that through the Penguins Cup win in '09.

Concussions seemed to derail his career for a couple years, he had a reputation for pouting and complaining, and there have been rumours he's a "coach killer" (if such a thing really exists).

Since he recovered from his concussions he's been quieter, calmer, and has transformed his game. His offensive ability is without question but his defensive game has developed into one of the best.

Whether he wins the cup this year or not, it's hard to argue that a huge part of the turnaround for Pittsburgh this year and a big reason they're in the finals is Crosby.

So, a decade or so since he was drafted: Where does Crosby rank amongst players today? How do you think Crosby compares to the other greats through history?

The injury Crosby sustained during the Winter Classic was truly devastating. He was coming off a 50 goal season, broke 100 points for the 4th time in his 5-year career. At the time of the injury, he had 66 points in 41 games. That's a 1.6 PPG pace, which would have seen him total 132 for the season, shattering his previous high of 120.

Crosby's 'concussion' was completely misdiagnosed by the Penguins medical staff. He wasn't concussed, he had fractured his C1 and C2 vertebrae. His neck was broken and they weren't treating it properly.

Injuries and incompetence robbed Crosby of nearly two years of his prime. The following year, 2011-12, Sid only played 22 games. He had 37 points. Which is another 1.6+ PPG pace. Slightly better, in fact. Over a full 82, it projects to 137.

Sidney Crosby is brilliant. Jonathan Toews is not better than Sidney Crosby. Not now. Not ever.

[Northendzone]

what about Robbie schremp? he could have been one of the games all time greats

[zyzz]

As mentioned already concussions probably robbed him of at least 200 points. If you had a choice to pick any 18 year old version of themselves in the NHL currently, Id say Sid would be #1 in my books. That or Jager lol

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Sorry if I'm being blunt, but why do you have the right to criticize every single thing I do? You're actually derailing this thread by introducing me into this equation.

I'm trying to run a summer activity. Other people do rankings like this all the time - do you get all huffy when they post daily polls? You don't have to be a total jerk about it, just because it's me. Give me a break.

I don't criticize every single thing you do, but good effort on the hyperbole. It's narcissistic of you to think I'm singling you out. I'll stop here, so I won't derail the thread any further.

[RyZ]

Best overall player since the Gretzky-Lemieux era and a guy that will have the manditory waiting period for Hall of Fame entry waived so he goes in the day he retires.

He's hockey Mt Rushmore kind of stuff.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Best overall player since the Gretzky-Lemieux era and a guy that will have the manditory waiting period for Hall of Fame entry waived so he goes in the day he retires.

He's hockey Mt Rushmore kind of stuff.

Who has the Hall of Fame waived the waiting period for? I know they let Mario in because of the cancer thing, and I would assume they just let Gretzky in. Anyone else?

[locsofblu]

Still the best in the league. I would still rather build a team around him than any other player in the league.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Who has the Hall of Fame waived the waiting period for? I know they let Mario in because of the cancer thing, and I would assume they just let Gretzky in. Anyone else?

The waiting period was waived for ten players deemed exceptionally notable: Dit Clapper (1947), Maurice Richard (1961), Ted Lindsay (1966), Red Kelly (1969), Terry Sawchuk (1971), Jean Beliveau (1972), Gordie Howe (1972), Bobby Orr (1979), Mario Lemieux (1997) and Wayne Gretzky (1999). Following Wayne Gretzky's retirement, it was announced that the waiting period would no longer be waived for any player except under "certain humanitarian circumstances".

[Dajazz]

B+

[Ruttiger]

2 out of 10. Would not bang.

[sharkov]

not enough truculence.........

[Locke]

Correct if I'm wrong (and I may be) but if Crosby wins the Conn Smythe will he actually have won everything there is to win in his pro career?

Or does he still have to win the Spengler? He can do that after he retires.

[Tyler]

Really good stuff about Crosby that you may not have known:

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/201...final-preview/

Special talent

[StrykerSteve]

Pretty f'ing good.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

He may never get 100+ points again but I think his two way game has never been better.

I agree that his two-way game has never been better, but I don't know if I would discount him getting 100+ points. Under Sullivan he put up 66 points in 52 regular season games. That's a 104 point pace.