What will old Crosby look like?

[chethejet]

Pens core are signed for another 4 years. Sid may play a couple after that but only if they are cup contenders. Although I have made the case that both him and Geno are elite athletic players that will play at a elite level for another number of years. DNA unlike most stars is just to special to see them falling hard. Players lose it from here. They are not close to losing anything even with so many games played. Find me early 30's stars who play at is level.

 

[brock0791]

I think how long he plays depends on his love life. Jagr played forever because of his bachelor lifestyle. Unless you're wanting to start a family/be with your family even if you have nothing left to prove Hockey is all you know

 

[Lays]

Can see him retiring once his contract starts paying him less and he has nothing else to prove.

I think he retires a lot earlier than everyone thinks
1. Because injury history and I don’t think he wants to risk it
2. Nothing left to prove
I think he’s done before 40

 

[Quiet Jack]

please give us more!!!

 

[SenzZen]

 

[Mickey Marner]

He looks a bit like older Sakic.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

I think he retires a lot earlier than everyone thinks
1. Because injury history and I don’t think he wants to risk it
2. Nothing left to prove
I think he’s done before 40

Knowing Sidney Crosby's nature, he is not going to pack it in early because of either of these reasons.

The only way injuries would keep him out is if he actually gets injured and literally physically cannot play. I don't think the fear of a potential injury is going to stop him. I mean, you can't even get this guy to take a day off. Coaches have joked that you have to hide his skates to get him to take a day off. He just doesn't quit.

As for having nothing left to prove, well he has his own standard that he wants to work toward. He doesn't work for recognition from other people, he works hard for himself.

I don't see either one of these things stopping Crosby.

 

[Fatty McLardy]

NeelywasWarrior, are you from the future by any chance??

 

[SEALBound]

Think Joe Thornton. Think prime Thornton to old Thornton and extrapolate to Sid. Obvious decline in speed and maybe a bit in skill but effectiveness still there.

 

[David Bruce Banner]

Injuries will probably drag him down more than she does.

 

[Leonardo87]

 

[tony d]

I think he'll age fine. I think he plays until he's 38 or 39.

 

[Raymondo316]

He looks like a young Arsene Wenger

 

[Filthy Dangles]

 

[Perfect_Drug]

I think he plays so similarly to Forsberg.

Aside from nagging injury issues which might become chronic, he's going to be very productive as long as he remains healthy.

Could even be like Sakic.. 100 points in his mid-30s.

I think hes going to retire late 30s with a lot still on the table.

 

[Ivan13]

Since he doesn't rely on speed, he'll last a long time. Similar to Joe Thornton but even better.

He doesn't rely on speed, but he sure does rely on skating. His edge work, ability to change direction, and agility make him as tough to guard as he is. With that being said, even if all of that goes, he has an ability to be a terror in front of the net, as he has that innate ability to anticipate where the puck is going and has unreal hand-eye coordination. Reminds me of Ryan Smyth in a sense there.

 

[Laineux]

He can remain effective until his early 40s if he wants to. Too intelligent and skilled of a player to just fade away.

 

[glovesave_35]

I'm also in the retire earlier than later (I'm thinking 37-38) crowd. I do think he will age just fine. He won't be in the Art Ross conversation but he will be over PPG late into his career I think.

I'm more curious how many Cups he's going to finish with.

 

[Terry Yake]

 

[illpucks]

Looks like Neidermeyer

 

[Passchendaele]

I don't know why people say Crosby's game translates well to older age. It doesn't.

A skilled grinder will have a broken down body by his late 30s. Unless he tones it down, I can't see it.

 

[CanadianPensFan1]

That's. I mean. It's just. So very.

Wonderful sir lol

 

[TheAngryHank]

if he (somehow) plays until 40, how will his play style change? who would he most resemble out of the famous old guys to play the game? could he still dominate? discuss

Came in to this thread expecting the usual gushing.
Leaving pleasantly surprised.

 

[end]

Everyone except for Matt Cullen loses the wheels by 35, so he might lose separation speed, but his edge work will maintain his agility and prevent him from falling off a cliff once he can't win on athleticism. The one thing hockey players never lose is the hands, guys in their 50s can still stickhandle like their prime, and Crosby has some of the fastest and most expert hands. I can picture veteran Sidney Crosby still winning goalmouth scrambles and deflections. If he continues hitting pucks in out of midair, he's going to force goalie coaches to figure out a working solution to it.

 

[authentic]

I don't know why people say Crosby's game translates well to older age. It doesn't.

A skilled grinder will have a broken down body by his late 30s. Unless he tones it down, I can't see it.

He has toned it down years ago, do you even watch him play?