McDavid vs Crosby (by the age 26)

[FrankSidebottom]

There are many threads about who was/is better overall, but let’s take a look at this: McDavid is 26 now and it’s probably fair to consider their achievements up to this threshold only.

Cup
Crosby: 1
McDavid: 0

Hart
Crosby: 2
McDavid: 3

Art Ross
Crosby: 2
McDavid: 5

Click to read more...

 

[Johnny Tomala]

Add international accomplishments in the first post.

I voted McDavid for both.

 

[norrisnick]

McDavid - Better Player and Better Career
Crosby - Better Team

 

[dirtydanglez]

mcdavid is crosby turned up to 11.

 

[Toby91ca]

Unfortunately Crosby wasn’t healthy enough to make this a closer call.

 

[FrankSidebottom]

Wow, I personally expected McDavid to win comfortably, but seems like it’s not even so close. But the sample is still small

 

[jigglysquishy]

McDavid pretty comfortably.

Lots comes down to Crosby being hurt, but there's really no argument for Crosby here.

 

[Zero Requiem]

McDavid, not even remotely close.

 

[PuckG]

McDavid.

He shouldn’t be penalized for not being able to play international competitions nor should he be penalized for no cups in an extremely team oriented sport.

 

[Tad Mikowsky]

McDavid and it’s not particularly close in this case. He was healthy, produce and won more individual trophies.

 

[Dingo]

McDavid pretty comfortably.

Lots comes down to Crosby being hurt, but there's really no argument for Crosby here.

This, but I’d like to add my thoughts

sometimes - in the case of Lindros, Forsberg, etc. many of us say, “but he DID hit a level better than X, just not for a long time, likely due to injuries”

McDavid has hit a level better than anything Crosby achieved, imo.

 

[Video Nasty]

McDavid has done more, even when factoring in the imaginary trophies for Crosby.

 

[hamzarocks]

Mcdavid is on a different level

My all time listing right now:

1. Gretzky
2. Howe
3. Lemieux
4. Orr
5. Mcdavid

Tier 2:

6. Hasek
7. Bobby Hull
8. Crosby
9. Bourque
10. Harvey

Tier 3:
11. Jagr
12. OV
13. Roy
14. Mikita
15. Esposito

Tier 4:
16. Lafleur
17. Lidstrom
18. Shore
19. Messier
20. Some guy from the 1920-1940s

Mcdavis if he doesnt win another award in the reg season but gets 2 smythes and 2 cups finishes 5th still for me

If he adds 1 more ross + hart + lindsay + 2 cups he jumps 1 spo

4 rosses + 4 harts + 4 lindsays + 2 cups + 2 smythes makes him the GOAT imo

The only challanger to him now is Bedard if he maxes his ceiling

 

[bambamcam4ever]

McDavid.

He shouldn’t be penalized for not being able to play international competitions nor should he be penalized for no cups in an extremely team oriented sport.

McDavid did get to play in an international competition. Crosby won MVP and the title.

 

[bobholly39]

McDavid.

He shouldn’t be penalized for not being able to play international competitions nor should he be penalized for no cups in an extremely team oriented sport.

Thats a flawed way of looking at it.

The correct way of looking at it is that Crosby should absolutely get credit for what he did internationally, as well as leading his teams to a cup and more playoff success than McDavid. When comparing careers - not all things are equal and good for Crosby for making the most out of opportunities with his tremendous successes and thats a big advantage for him up to age 26.

However - despite that - through age 26 its McDavid. Maybe with no major injury itd be Crosby, but as is its clearly McDavid.

Better season McDavid 2023
2nd better season McDavid 2021
Huge advantage in trophy case. Etc

Crosby however has one of the absolute best careers in hockey history from ages 26+. So - McDavid still needs to add a lot in years to come to remain ahead (playoff success in particular would be important). But through age 26 - its McDavid.

 

[bobholly39]

There are many threads about who was/is better overall, but let’s take a look at this: McDavid is 26 now and it’s probably fair to consider their achievements up to this threshold only.

Cup
Crosby: 1
McDavid: 0

Hart
Crosby: 2
McDavid: 3

Art Ross
Crosby: 2
McDavid: 5

OP you're counting Crosbys 9th season vs McDavid's 8 seasons.

Through 8 seasons Crosby has 1 Ross/Hart, not 2. He won his 2nd in his 9th season (age 26). McDavid has yet to play his 9th season

 

[TheStatican]

There are many threads about who was/is better overall, but let’s take a look at this: McDavid is 26 now and it’s probably fair to consider their achievements up to this threshold only.

Cup
Crosby: 1
McDavid: 0

Hart
Crosby: 2
McDavid: 3

Art Ross
Crosby: 2
McDavid: 5

McDavid has been remarkably injury free throughout most of his career. He's missed only 50 games total and just 13 games outside of his rookie season. The only thing injuries have cost him is a Calder.

Crosby meanwhile, by the age of 26 had almost assuredly lost out on two Ross and two Harts(10-11 & 12-13), a rocket(10-11) and possibly another two more scoring titles; 07-08 when he was tied for the league lead in scoring before getting injured plus a reasonable shot in 11-12 depending on what effect his presence would have on Malkin's powerplay totals. There's even an outside shot at 08-09 & 09-10 if he played in all 82 those seasons. McDavid's only outside shot being injury free is 19-20 and a very unlikely 21-22(if he had huge totals in his 2 missed games to overcome Matthews big Hart edge)

Spoiler: No injuries for sure;

Cup
Crosby: 1
McDavid: 0
Hart
Crosby: 4 (07, 11, 13, 14)
McDavid: 3
Art Ross
Crosby: 4 (07, 11, 13, 14)
McDavid: 5
Rocket
Crosby: 2 (10, 11)
McDavid: 1

Spoiler: Not unreasonable, 50-50ish chance of;

Cup
Crosby: 1
McDavid: 0
Hart
Crosby: 4 (07, 11, 13, 14)
McDavid: 3
Art Ross
Crosby: 6 (07, 08, 11, 12, 13, 14)
McDavid: 5
Rocket
Crosby: 2 (10, 11)
McDavid: 1

Spoiler: Outside chance/not likely but not completely impossible;

Cup
Crosby: 2 (09, 11)
McDavid: 0
Hart
Crosby: 6 (07, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
McDavid: 6 (17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Art Ross
Crosby: 8 (07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
McDavid: 6 (17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Rocket
Crosby: 2 (10, 11)
McDavid: 1

 

[Hockeyholic]

I do believe Crosby would have had, at minimum, the trophy case McDavid has now. Sans injuries.

But I can't go by hypothetical. McDavid's trophy case is more impressive. But I'd rather Crosby as the top dog over McDavid in the postseason.

 

[klefbombs shoulder]

McDavid has been remarkably injury free throughout most of his career. He's missed only 50 games total and just 13 games outside of his rookie season. The only thing injuries have cost him is a Calder.

Crosby meanwhile, by the age of 26 had almost assuredly lost out on two Ross and two Harts(10-11 & 12-13), a rocket(10-11) and possibly another two more scoring titles; 07-08 when he was tied for the league lead in scoring before getting injured plus a reasonable shot in 11-12 depending on what effect his presence would have on Malkin's powerplay totals. There's even an outside shot at 08-09 & 09-10 if he played in all 82 those seasons. McDavid's only outside shot being injury free is 19-20 and a very unlikely 21-22(if he had huge totals in his 2 missed games to overcome Matthews big Hart edge)

Spoiler: No injuries for sure;

Cup
Crosby: 1
McDavid: 0
Hart
Crosby: 4 (07, 11, 13, 14)
McDavid: 3
Art Ross
Crosby: 4 (07, 11, 13, 14)
McDavid: 5
Rocket
Crosby: 2 (10, 11)
McDavid: 1

Spoiler: Not unreasonable, 50-50ish chance of;

Cup
Crosby: 1
McDavid: 0
Hart
Crosby: 4 (07, 11, 13, 14)
McDavid: 3
Art Ross
Crosby: 6 (07, 08, 11, 12, 13, 14)
McDavid: 5
Rocket
Crosby: 2 (10, 11)
McDavid: 1

Spoiler: Outside chance/not likely but not completely impossible;

Cup
Crosby: 2 (09, 11)
McDavid: 0
Hart
Crosby: 6 (07, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
McDavid: 6 (17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Art Ross
Crosby: 8 (07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
McDavid: 6 (17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Rocket
Crosby: 2 (10, 11)
McDavid: 1

I can imagine a world in which I have 7 extra Art Ross Trophies, 4 extra Harts, an extra Rocket, and an extra Cup too! I would go down as an all time NHLer!

Reality beats make believe every time.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Crosby AINEC. McStatpad has nothing on him.

 

[TheStatican]

I can imagine a world in which I have 7 extra Art Ross Trophies, 4 extra Harts, an extra Rocket, and an extra Cup too! I would go down as an all time NHLer!

Reality beats make believe every time.

Obviously. It's just a thought experiment and has no bearing on who has had the better career(McDavid > Crosby).

But it's relative when it comes to comparing talent level. At least the first two, the unlikely category is just for s**** n'giggles as they say.

 

[Video Nasty]

McDavid has been remarkably injury free throughout most of his career. He's missed only 50 games total and just 13 games outside of his rookie season. The only thing injuries have cost him is a Calder.

Crosby meanwhile, by the age of 26 had almost assuredly lost out on two Ross and two Harts(10-11 & 12-13), a rocket(10-11) and possibly another two more scoring titles; 07-08 when he was tied for the league lead in scoring before getting injured plus a reasonable shot in 11-12 depending on what effect his presence would have on Malkin's powerplay totals. There's even an outside shot at 08-09 & 09-10 if he played in all 82 those seasons. McDavid's only outside shot being injury free is 19-20 and a very unlikely 21-22(if he had huge totals in his 2 missed games to overcome Matthews big Hart edge)

Spoiler: No injuries for sure;

Cup
Crosby: 1
McDavid: 0
Hart
Crosby: 4 (07, 11, 13, 14)
McDavid: 3
Art Ross
Crosby: 4 (07, 11, 13, 14)
McDavid: 5
Rocket
Crosby: 2 (10, 11)
McDavid: 1

Spoiler: Not unreasonable, 50-50ish chance of;

Cup
Crosby: 1
McDavid: 0
Hart
Crosby: 4 (07, 11, 13, 14)
McDavid: 3
Art Ross
Crosby: 6 (07, 08, 11, 12, 13, 14)
McDavid: 5
Rocket
Crosby: 2 (10, 11)
McDavid: 1

Spoiler: Outside chance/not likely but not completely impossible;

Cup
Crosby: 2 (09, 11)
McDavid: 0
Hart
Crosby: 6 (07, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
McDavid: 6 (17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Art Ross
Crosby: 8 (07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
McDavid: 6 (17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Rocket
Crosby: 2 (10, 11)
McDavid: 1

The 2010-2011 Rocket should not be listed as an automatic win under “no injuries for sure”.

Crosby was up by a single goal in the same number of games as Stamkos at that halfway point.

You’re looking at the final tallies for all other players and plugging in a fantasy total for Crosby and claiming it’s a sure thing. That’s not honest and it’s not a fair way of looking at things. I don’t mind when people project an Art Ross win because even if he slipped back in the second half as I would expect, going just PPG would see him win it. Even though that is problematic as well, because Crosby playing games he never did in reality alters the timeline in unforeseen ways.

I’m sure 50-60 goals for Stamkos felt like a sure thing at the halfway point and he ended up with “only” 45.

Crosby is a top 10 player all-time. People spend way too much time playing make believe instead of focusing on he has actually done. The guy has been remarkably healthy since that 3 season stretch of missing time. There was a time period where the hockey world thought he might have to retire early. Instead, he has managed to play a decade almost completely incident free and add important components to his legacy. That should be celebrated, rather than playing what if.

 

[Tad Mikowsky]

Crosby AINEC. McStatpad has nothing on him.

Yeah! Forget hardware. Nothing on Crosby.

 

[blundluntman]

McDavid is comfortably ahead of Crosby at this age. Injuries play a role in this but even without that, I'd say McDavid has been the better player. He has 3 more art rosses, 1 more hart, 1 more Lindsay, and 2 peak seasons I'd put above Crosby's 07 and 14 hart trophies.

 

[McFlash97]

McDavid has been remarkably injury free throughout most of his career. He's missed only 50 games total and just 13 games outside of his rookie season. The only thing injuries have cost him is a Calder.

Crosby meanwhile, by the age of 26 had almost assuredly lost out on two Ross and two Harts(10-11 & 12-13), a rocket(10-11) and possibly another two more scoring titles; 07-08 when he was tied for the league lead in scoring before getting injured plus a reasonable shot in 11-12 depending on what effect his presence would have on Malkin's powerplay totals. There's even an outside shot at 08-09 & 09-10 if he played in all 82 those seasons. McDavid's only outside shot being injury free is 19-20 and a very unlikely 21-22(if he had huge totals in his 2 missed games to overcome Matthews big Hart edge)

Spoiler: No injuries for sure;

Cup
Crosby: 1
McDavid: 0
Hart
Crosby: 4 (07, 11, 13, 14)
McDavid: 3
Art Ross
Crosby: 4 (07, 11, 13, 14)
McDavid: 5
Rocket
Crosby: 2 (10, 11)
McDavid: 1

Spoiler: Not unreasonable, 50-50ish chance of;

Cup
Crosby: 1
McDavid: 0
Hart
Crosby: 4 (07, 11, 13, 14)
McDavid: 3
Art Ross
Crosby: 6 (07, 08, 11, 12, 13, 14)
McDavid: 5
Rocket
Crosby: 2 (10, 11)
McDavid: 1

Spoiler: Outside chance/not likely but not completely impossible;

Cup
Crosby: 2 (09, 11)
McDavid: 0
Hart
Crosby: 6 (07, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
McDavid: 6 (17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Art Ross
Crosby: 8 (07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
McDavid: 6 (17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Rocket
Crosby: 2 (10, 11)
McDavid: 1

Wtf

Hahahahaha. Imaginary gymnastics.


Also OP and you both included Crosbys 9th season. McDavid has played 8.