Except the debate has been Crosby vs. ___________ (insert a number of different players) not one player consistently since 2010.
He was the best player in 16/17 so "for years" is laughable.
As many have said, you would be a fool to not put him first on your team for a playoff run.
It could have been Crosby vs Malkin, vs Kane, vs McDavid, vs Ovechkin, etc. Over the last 10+ years.
He had a long run as an undisputed number one. I dont think he has been an undisputed number one for years, because, well, it's been disputed.
Me claiming he is a top-5 player is a conservative rank. In any given year, outside of last year, he is typically one of the three best players in the league and his consistency makes him the best player of the decade.
But I absolutely and firmly believe his rank as number one has been disputed for years now.