If Crosby retired before the start of '19/20, is he a top 10 ALLTIME player?

[illpucks]

Season has started but Pens haven't played yet. If at 6:40pm tommorow Sid announces his retirement is he top 10 ALLTIME? Yes or No?

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[Khomutov]

No. Let's wait until his career is over.

 

[Fugazy]

Not quite, but he’s very much on his way.

 

[Varan]

on his way there, too premature

 

[82Ninety42011]

No he's not and not sure he even get's there. People forget how many great players were here before now.

 

[Weztex]

As of today, there's a case for Crosby to be ranked anywhere between 5 to 15 depending how you value peak, prime and longevity. So at this point having him top-10 is a reasonable take. I have him around 10-12.

Outside Gretzky, Orr, Howe and Lemieux the 2nd tier is pretty close in range.

 

[Nadal On Clay]

Yes he is.

 

[Iceman]

Nope, getting closer tho

 

[SeanConn]

Unless he’s going to win any more cups or major trophy’s... it’ll take quite a lot over the next few seasons to impact his all time ranking... but he could theoretically have 3-5 more 100+ point seasons before he retires, and that would impact his ranking and definitely put him in the top ten. There’s cases for and against at the current moment...

He’s one of the best ever, that’s all that matters. Sure he’d like to gun for another Art Ross or Rocket again... but might be very hard for
him to pull off. Another cup might be equally hard to pull off too.

If he retired today, and ovechkin did too. I’d put them neck and neck with Ovi just ahead of Crosby.

 

[kmad]

Gretzky, Howe, Orr, Lemieux, Hasek top five

He's probably in the top ten

 

[JasonRoseEh]

Absolutely he is, get the nostalgia glasses off. Him and Ovechkin are already both top 10 all time players with Crosby a touch ahead.

 

[wetcoast]

Nope, getting closer tho

I'd be interested to see your top 10 as only 2 forwards have a consecutive elite level of play over 14 straight years and a individual playoff resume that is greater than Crosby.

 

[jetsforever]

He's been the best overall for a 12-year stretch or so, seems unlikely that no top-10 players have played in recent times
Yes

 

[Merrrlin]

I try not to let stat volume weigh too heavily. In terms of impact on the game, his skill level, comparisons to peers...I have him sitting somewhere in the Lidstrom/Jagr tier, which is definitely top 10.

 

[Koolboss]

The most complete player to ever play professional hockey no doubt

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

Nope.

Orr
Gretzky
Howe
Lemieux
Hasek
Roy
Bourque
Esposito
Lafleur
Jagr

Off the top of my head, no particular order

 

[Fire Sweeney]

1.Gretzky
2.Orr
3.Howe
4.Jagr
5.Shore
6.Hull
7.Harvey
8.Hasek
9.Lemieux
10.Messier

Not even close

 

[bobholly39]

1.Gretzky
2.Orr
3.Howe
4.Jagr
5.Shore
6.Hull
7.Harvey
8.Hasek
9.Lemieux
10.Messier

Not even close

lol

 

[Trap Jesus]

There's no way, there are just too many good players in the history of hockey.

 

[CupofOil]

There's no way, there are just too many good players in the history of hockey.

There might be too many good players in the history but no "good" player is better than Crosby.

This guy has been the king of his peers for over a decade, the best all around offensive player of his generation, one of the better defensive forwards, 3 time Stanley Cup winner with 2 Smythes, decorated international career including the Golden Goal. All of this by the age of 32.
There's been lots of great players throughout history but I'm having a hard time coming up with 10 that were better, more impactful than Crosby.

 

[Trap Jesus]

There might be too many good players in the history but no "good" player is better than Crosby.

This guy has been the king of his peers for over a decade, the best all around offensive player of his generation, one of the better defensive forwards, 3 time Stanley Cup winner with 2 Smythes, decorated international career including the Golden Goal. All of this by the age of 32. There's been lots of great players throughout history but I'm having a hard time coming up with 10 that were better, more impactful than Crosby.

Gretzky, Lemieux, Howe, Messier
Orr, Lidstrom, Bourque, Harvey, Shore
Hasek

I don't see an argument for Crosby over any of those guys. Even if you want to dismiss super old players like Shore or Harvey, there are still guys like Yzerman, Sakic and Roy in recent years. I think it's safe to project Crosby beyond those centers, but a big argument for them is longevity. There are 6-8 more seasons those two have on Crosby right now and it shouldn't be discounted.

 

[CupofOil]

Gretzky, Lemieux, Howe, Messier
Orr, Lidstrom, Bourque, Harvey, Shore
Hasek

I don't see an argument for Crosby over any of those guys. Even if you want to dismiss super old players like Shore or Harvey, there are still guys like Yzerman, Sakic and Roy in recent years. I think it's safe to project Crosby beyond those centers, but a big argument for them is longevity. There are 6-8 more seasons those two have on Crosby right now and it shouldn't be discounted.

Messier over Crosby? Come on. I don't even know if Messier is top 15.
Lidstrom maybe, Harvey maybe, Bourque maybe Hasek probably. It's always difficult comparing forwards to Dmen so we can argue those endlessly.

I'll just say this. After The Big 4 of Gretzky, Orr, Howe and Lemeiux, there can be argument for many players in the 5-10 range and I certainly think that Crosby is in the argument.

 

[Kranix]

Who's he behind, Dit Clapper? Seriously. Him and Ovie are top 10.

 

[Midnight Judges]

The most complete player to ever play professional hockey no doubt

Zero chance Crosby is a more complete player than Gordie Howe.

 

[Trap Jesus]

Messier over Crosby? Come on. I don't even know if Messier is top 15.
Lidstrom maybe, Harvey maybe, Bourque maybe Hasek probably. It's always difficult comparing forwards to Dmen so we can argue those endlessly.

I'll just say this. After The Big 4 of Gretzky, Orr, Howe and Lemeiux, there can be argument for many players in the 5-10 range and I certainly think that Crosby is in the argument.

The guy has nearly played twice as many games as Crosby. Unless you're an Orr/Lemieux level talent, that just can't be sloughed aside like it's nothing.

Messier dipped below a point per game in his last 7 seasons and he was 37 at the start of that.

Before: 1,552 points in 1,272 games

After: 335 point in 484 games

Crosby is currently 32 this season with a total of 1,216 points in 943 games. The body of work isn't even comparable at this point.