Sidney Crosby is a player of destiny.
Since a young age he was hailed as the Next One, and he has fulfilled that for the most part. He has won everything there is to win, and is considered to be the top player in the game for a good portion of his career.
Despite that, in many ways he remains one of the most underrated players of all time. His game is far more complete than many other of the all time greats. Yet his offensive dominance is not necessarily obvious, partly due to some serious injuries and partly due to the era he plays in.
So when it comes to rethinking my 2013 list of hockey's top 100 players, Sidney Crosby, with a good portion of his career still to come, perplexes me.
In 2013 I already had him ranked as the 29th best hockey player of all time. Add another Olympic gold medal, another Stanley Cup, a World Cup, a World Championship, another Art Ross Trophy, another Hart Trophy, another Pearson/Lindsay Trophy and a Conn Smythe Trophy, and it is safe to say Crosby is moving up the list.
Looking back to 2013, I had 11 centers ahead of him: Gretzky, Lemieux, Beliveau, Mikita, Morenz, Esposito, Yzerman, Messier, Trottier, Sakic, and Henri Richard.
On one hand I can see Crosby moving up all the way to #4 among centers. On the other hand I have trouble ranking him higher than Mikita in particular, and Morenz, Espo and Messier.
At this stage of his career (and realistically, there is little more that he can accomplish, isn't there?) I think it is safe to say Sidney Crosby will move into the top 20 overall for certain. How close he will get to the top 10 is the next question. And there is a chance he could crack the top 10.
Pretty amazing, isn't it?
I think it will come down to this question - One game, winner takes all - Who do you want on your team? Sidney Crosby? Or the aforementioned centers? Or Ray Bourque? Or Mike Bossy? Or Nicklas Lidstrom?
That is some pretty impressive company, kid.
Be sure to tell me where you think Sidney Crosby ranks, as I will value any input.
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