Sidney Crosby is a relatively quiet player who does not speak much about the history that he has made over the course of his lustrous career thus far. He never has been that type of person. For a man that has accomplished three Stanley Cups and two Olympic Gold Medals, just to start, talking about all that he has done may seem like he deserves to, but Sid has never been that guy.
To add to his incredible repertoire, “Sid the Kid” is on pace to break a record previously set by the one and only Wayne Gretzky. Following the Penguin’s loss to the New Jersey Devils, Sid currently has 33 goals and 36 assists for 69 points in 68 games, which is over a point per game. If he manages to finish at a point-per-game or higher this season, he will be tied with Gretzky for the most seasons with a point-per-game or higher in NHL history.
For those keeping track, this would be Crosby’s 19th time being a point-per-game or over, and Sid would do it in every single season he has played in the NHL, something Gretzky did not even do. Gretzky went a point-per-game in every season he played except for the 1998-99 season with the New York Rangers, his final season in the NHL.
Crosby wasn’t a man full of words when asked about it before the Pens game in Newark on Tuesday, saying that he is “aware of it” and “Hopefully, I play well enough to earn it. We’ll see what happens.” However, he was not the only one asked about it, as his teammates also recognized the historic player that Sid is. Forward Bryan Rust called it “extremely impressive” for Sid to be able to still play at such a high level for so long. He also said that Sid’s work ethic is “unmatched.” Forward Lars Eller, who has been a rival and teammate of Crosby, said that Crosby has a “certain inner drive” that allows him to be so competitive for so long, and that “His hunger for always wanting to be the best is probably stands out the most.” Eller also said another reason why Sid still remains the player he is today is because of his hockey IQ, saying that Sid “thinks quicker than anyone”. He also credited Sid’s ability to be quick and unpredictable on the ice.
Sid has hands-down made it known he is still one of the league’s best and most consistent players today, and Sid can only add to such an incredible career by tying a record set by the greatest to ever play the game of hockey.