Does Sidney Crosby end his career with more points than Mario Lemieux?

[dalewood12]

As of February 6, 2024, Sid needs 172 points to get ahead of Lemieux. This would make him the all time points leader as a Penguin.

Current all time point totals c/o QuantHockey:

Click to read more...

 

[WarriorofTime]

Plays 3 more seasons and it's a lock, 37, 38, 39, can likely keep going if he felt like it. Contract is up the season after this one, but I don't see him hanging it up.

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

Immediate answer was “Hell Yes!” Probably should go “pretty certainly yes.”

 

[StreetHawk]

195 games to get that 172 points? 30 something left this year and another 164 for 2 more seasons.
Under contract for next season so needs another contract to do it.

He’d have to pace at around 75 points to hit it by the end of 25/26.

 

[Canovin]

There's a video somewhere that he mentioned he doesn't see himself playing beyond 38 years old so it's 50/50 from here

 

[dalewood12]

There's a video somewhere that he mentioned he doesn't see himself playing beyond 38 years old so it's 50/50 from here

After seeing him use his All Star "down time" to play ODR, I'm convinced that we'll see him play beyond 38.

 

[Play]

After seeing him use his All Star "down time" to play ODR, I'm convinced that we'll see him play beyond 38.

38 and beyond!

 

[Zbynek]

There's a video somewhere that he mentioned he doesn't see himself playing beyond 38 years old so it's 50/50 from here

Good guy humble Sid. He will smash Mario's record.

 

[Kryten]

Hopefully he plays til 2026. Gets to play in the Olympics and pass Lemieux

 

[Hockey Outsider]

Most points for a single franchise

1	Gordie Howe	1,809​	Red Wings
2	Steve Yzerman	1,755​	Red Wings
3	Mario Lemieux	1,723​	Penguins
4	Wayne Gretzky	1,669​	Oilers
5	Joe Sakic	1,641​	Avalanche
6	Sidney Crosby	1,552+​	Penguins
7	Alex Ovechkin	1,516+​	Capitals
8	Ray Bourque	1,506​	Bruins
9	Stan Mikita	1,467​	Blackhawks
10	Mike Modano	1,374​	Stars
11	Bryan Trottier	1,353​	Islanders
12	Johnny Bucyk	1,339​	Bruins
13	Gilbert Perreault	1,326​	Sabres
14	Marcel Dionne	1,307​	Kings
15	Alex Delvecchio	1,281​	Red Wings
16	Evgeni Malkin	1,269+	Penguins
17	Guy Lafleur	1,246​	Canadiens
18	Patrick Kane	1,225​	Blackhawks
19	Jean Beliveau	1,219​	Canadiens
20	Bobby Clarke	1,210​	Flyers

Crosby is currently in 6th place all-time for most points with one franchise (regular season). If he scores another 258 points for the Penguins, he'd set the record for most points with a single franchise in NHL history.

For what it's worth - he's already 4th all-time in playoff points for a single franchise. He's 1 point out of 3rd place (Kurri), 14 points out of 2nd place (Messier), and a daunting 51 points out of 1st place (Gretzky).

 

[frisco]

Most points for a single franchise

For what it's worth - he's already 4th all-time in playoff points for a single franchise. He's 1 point out of 3rd place (Kurri), 14 points out of 2nd place (Messier), and a daunting 51 points out of 1st place (Gretzky).

So, Crosby has the most playoff points for a player who has only played with one franchise? I guess he does. Never thought of that. Very cool.

My Best-Carey

 

[Video Nasty]

Certainly seems so.

 

[Play]

Certainly seems so.

And you guys claim Video Nasty has it out for Crosby

 

[jcs0218]

As long as Crosby stays away from injuries, he will pass Lemieux.

He will play until at least the end of the 2026 season so he can play one more time in the Olympics.

This gives him 2 full seasons after this one to pass Lemieux.

I would also bet that passing Lemieux is one of the career goals that he has left.

 

[M88K]

I'm sure he will, it'll only take playing in 500-600 more games to do it though

 

[Faceboner]

I think he could finish 6 all time if he keeps at ppg+ for another four years

 

[Regal]

As long as Crosby stays away from injuries, he will pass Lemieux.

He will play until at least the end of the 2026 season so he can play one more time in the Olympics.

This gives him 2 full seasons after this one to pass Lemieux.

I would also bet that passing Lemieux is one of the career goals that he has left.

Yea, that’s something I didn’t think about that he might want to stick around for now that it’s confirmed.

Most points for a single franchise

1	Gordie Howe	1,809​	Red Wings
2	Steve Yzerman	1,755​	Red Wings
3	Mario Lemieux	1,723​	Penguins
4	Wayne Gretzky	1,669​	Oilers
5	Joe Sakic	1,641​	Avalanche
6	Sidney Crosby	1,552+​	Penguins
7	Alex Ovechkin	1,516+​	Capitals
8	Ray Bourque	1,506​	Bruins
9	Stan Mikita	1,467​	Blackhawks
10	Mike Modano	1,374​	Stars
11	Bryan Trottier	1,353​	Islanders
12	Johnny Bucyk	1,339​	Bruins
13	Gilbert Perreault	1,326​	Sabres
14	Marcel Dionne	1,307​	Kings
15	Alex Delvecchio	1,281​	Red Wings
16	Evgeni Malkin	1,269+	Penguins
17	Guy Lafleur	1,246​	Canadiens
18	Patrick Kane	1,225​	Blackhawks
19	Jean Beliveau	1,219​	Canadiens
20	Bobby Clarke	1,210​	Flyers

Crosby is currently in 6th place all-time for most points with one franchise (regular season). If he scores another 258 points for the Penguins, he'd set the record for most points with a single franchise in NHL history.

For what it's worth - he's already 4th all-time in playoff points for a single franchise. He's 1 point out of 3rd place (Kurri), 14 points out of 2nd place (Messier), and a daunting 51 points out of 1st place (Gretzky).

If he stays healthy I’d bet he passes Wayne next year. But would almost certainly need to re-sign to pass Mario.

 

[DearDiary]

There's a video somewhere that he mentioned he doesn't see himself playing beyond 38 years old so it's 50/50 from here

He also said he'd like to play for Montreal. So does he request a trade before he's 38?

 

[CascadiaPuck]

That single team record from Geordie Howe is intriguing. Like others have said, I think the Olympics keeps him around. But snagging that #1 spot from Howe would be a pretty great feather to pursue. Nothing is guaranteed as these guys age - the drop off can be precipitous - but based on his play this year, it seems very doable.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

That single team record from Geordie Howe is intriguing. Like others have said, I think the Olympics keeps him around. But snagging that #1 spot from Howe would be a pretty great feather to pursue. Nothing is guaranteed as these guys age - the drop off can be precipitous - but based on his play this year, it seems very doable.

Even at a PPG pace, I don't see Crosby staying long enough to hit that. That would take him past 40

 

[Canadiens Ghost]

If he stays with the Penguins, I would say yes.
But I'm wondering if he won't be playing with another team by the time he is ready to surpass Mario.

 

[frisco]

He also said he'd like to play for Montreal. So does he request a trade before he's 38?

Umm...no.

My Best-Carey

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Man! Mario without the health issues would have been way further up that list! Amazing what he did in that few games. Yzerman was just 32 points ahead and played 600 more games.

 

[bobholly39]

Some possible projections:

- Let's assume he hits 85 points this season and next - that puts him at 1672 points by end of next season and contract. If he does retire after his contract, #9 all-time behind seems inevetable, since there's a really big gap between #8 and 9 right now.

Patrick Roy and Wayne Gretzky retired when they were still near top of league at ages ~37-38. It's not unprecedented - and always hard to predict when a player will retire.

I do think if Crosby continues to play - it won't be a 1 year contract, but minimum of a 2 year contract.

- So if he does play 2 years after that - let's be conservative and assume 75 points per year. That puts him at 1822 points at age 39, or #5 (also a big gap between #4 and #5 right now, so finishing 5th seems quite likely).

Meaning - he'd have to play at minimum 1 more year beyond that to have a chance at Jagr and #2, so age 40. Obviously, he probably won't score 99 points at age 40 to pass Jagr, but it's possible he scores a bit more in prior seasons and that by age 40 he can surpass 1921 points, or at worst, by age 41.

So to sum up, some possible scenarios:

- If he retires after his contract - he will almost for sure finish #9 right behind Lemieux.
- If he extends for 2 years and retires at age 39 - very good chance he finishes #5 all-time, ahead of Francis but below Howe
- If he plays for 1 more year on top of that (age 40), he likely makes a run at Howe (1850) and Messier (1887) - and possibly Jagr (1921). It's probably more likely Crosby would need +1 year to surpass Jagr though.
- If Crosby does play till age 41 - good chance he passes Jagr and starts to push for 2000 points, which he either hits at age 41 or 42.

This is barring any major injury (minor injuries are fine), and barring him falling off a cliff in play (which in my opinion 100% won't happen - he'd probably retire if it did).

 

[Toby91ca]

Some possible projections:

- Let's assume he hits 85 points this season and next - that puts him at 1672 points by end of next season and contract. If he does retire after his contract, #9 all-time behind seems inevetable, since there's a really big gap between #8 and 9 right now.

Patrick Roy and Wayne Gretzky retired when they were still near top of league at ages ~37-38. It's not unprecedented - and always hard to predict when a player will retire.

I do think if Crosby continues to play - it won't be a 1 year contract, but minimum of a 2 year contract.

- So if he does play 2 years after that - let's be conservative and assume 75 points per year. That puts him at 1822 points at age 39, or #5 (also a big gap between #4 and #5 right now, so finishing 5th seems quite likely).

Meaning - he'd have to play at minimum 1 more year beyond that to have a chance at Jagr and #2, so age 40. Obviously, he probably won't score 99 points at age 40 to pass Jagr, but it's possible he scores a bit more in prior seasons and that by age 40 he can surpass 1921 points, or at worst, by age 41.

So to sum up, some possible scenarios:

- If he retires after his contract - he will almost for sure finish #9 right behind Lemieux.
- If he extends for 2 years and retires at age 39 - very good chance he finishes #5 all-time, ahead of Francis but below Howe
- If he plays for 1 more year on top of that (age 40), he likely makes a run at Howe (1850) and Messier (1887) - and possibly Jagr (1921). It's probably more likely Crosby would need +1 year to surpass Jagr though.
- If Crosby does play till age 41 - good chance he passes Jagr and starts to push for 2000 points, which he either hits at age 41 or 42.

This is barring any major injury (minor injuries are fine), and barring him falling off a cliff in play (which in my opinion 100% won't happen - he'd probably retire if it did).

I don’t think 85pts next year and 75pts each of the 2 yrs following that are conservative as all….id suggest it’s an aggressive projection