Is Sidney Crosby a Top 5 player in NHL history?

[@justintklodowski59]

Sids the best in my time and has been the bestplayer in his 17 years

[@dantedavis4679]

He isn't really aging I think he can probably play until after 45 and think he can be 2nd all time in points and assists

[@Beezer1742]

Sid and Mario both have that injury caveat. Their careers could have been even MORE magnificent, yet even with that issue they’re still miles better than the next guy. Sid had played something like 150 less games than Ovi with a career average around 1.25 points per game (going above 1.5 and 1.6 several times in his early, injury-prone career). It’s fair to say that if he didn’t miss 2 prime seasons of hockey, he’d be at least 200 points up on Ovi (a conservative estimate).

[@atex6175]

This whole top 5 thing is way to complicated to even discuss. There are so many people to make an argument for it’s insane.

[@NordicDartfrog]

I totally agree. We also have players like Hasek, Roy in goal. Mogilny who escaped Soviet. Jagr, Nick Lidstrom. Salming who paved the way for europeans. There's more than scoring goals. And how the game has evolved.

[@cliffbowls]

@@NordicDartfrog you almost have to separate goalies though. They’re so different

[@emmittmatthews8636]

​@@NordicDartfrogSalming and Mogilny should never be anywhere near any top 5 discussion. Mogilny SHOULD be in the Hall, but he's not even top 100, let alone top 5

[@alid7192]

My top 5 would be 1. Lemeuix 2. 99 3. Orr 4. Hasek 5. Crosby

[@Hunter-fd3eg]

Sid is the most complete player of all time…

[@laronda10]

sids goat, he did it all in the hardest most competitive era. Nhl didnt even have the Russians till the 90s so i dont really think 80s success holds up to modern standards. and continues to do it in a different era in his later years

[@CipherSerpico]

_Every era_ is “the hardest & most competitive” era. _Every future era_ will be “more competitive” than every _previous_ era. The Level of Competition gets better with time. And that’s true for every other Sport and/or form of Competition; whether it’s _Hockey, Basketball, Baseball, Football, MMA, Boxing, Chess, Poker,_ or anything else… The Game evolves. The new era-gets to learn from all of the past eras-and then build off of that. Then, the generation after the next one-learns from the previous one-and expands on what that era did… And on, and on.

[@laronda10]

@CipherSerpico yeah but there's a difference when they didnt even have the some of best players in the world at that time in their league. Also Sid being able to remain elite to remain elite and dominant in different eras is Goated imo. Sids combination of NHL success alongside international success is unmatched. I get they couldn't play in the Olympics back then, but Sid as a captain has no international losses. That's weights huge in my book

[@justinpederson2217]

@@laronda10I as a crosby fan since 07 did not ever realize that international accomplishment. That’s crazy. I always placed him high on my list. But that definitely warrants much higher consideration into this debate!!

[@AJP_17]

No order: Gretzky Orr Lemieux Howe Sid (If Connor mcdavid finishes his career with the way he’s playing and with a ring on his finger. Ohhhh boy)

[@limegreenpatato]

McDavid needs to win something to be considered even close to sid

[@AJP_17]

@@limegreenpatato yep, that’s what I was thinking

[@glissyman]

Where is Ovi

[@stephen9302]

Yzerman instead of Sid. DEFINITELY Top 10 though!!

[@garyb7262]

@@stephen9302not even top ten yzerman messier Richard Beleveau, Harvey not to mention Goalies.

[@johncrispino8502]

I couldn’t agree more Sid has been doing and accomplished sooo many things in hockey that pretty much any players wishes they did what did has done and can do esp on a nhl ice inevitable

[@b1pawh]

So hard to compare different eras so many greats but for Crosby's era he is the best and one of greats of all time but thier ate many.

[@turkturkleton2671]

"What, no jagr?" please tell me someone remembers that meme

[@Don-Bullo]

Sid has more Cups

[@TeamOT]

Sid is, to hockey, much more than what LeBron is to basketball.

[@Barrymacockkiner3050]

No no Jordan, Kobe, Magic, Bird then Lebron.

[@sebastianmasucci221]

what Lemieux is to hockey is what lebron is to basketball 2nd best all time. Gretzky is the Jordan of hockey

[@HoweyJR_]

@@sebastianmasucci221 how is Gretzky Jordan & Gretzky has all the records??

[@sebastianmasucci221]

@@HoweyJR_ bruh Jordan number 1 all time stop it and so is Wayne

[@HoweyJR_]

@@sebastianmasucci221 so you just ignored what I said & responded with absolutely nothing. OK

[@tymacdougall3140]

200 foot game he’s the goat

[@lyricalgenius23]

Anyone who knows anything about what makes a hockey player great would never put OV ahead of Sid. OV is one of the greatest goal scorers of all time, Sid is great at everything. Sid is right there with Mess, Richard, Beliveau and Stevie Y for the battle of the rest of the top 10.

[@nhchel]

I would definitely put Ovi over Sid. Im sorry but as talented as Sid is he hasn’t proved himself as dominant over the rest of the league as McDavid and Ovechkin has and on top of that he’s played for a powerhouse team over his entire career.

[@tylerjennings8242]

@@nhchel They’ve been a powerhouse team because of him though. I don’t think the Pens win any of their last 3 cups without Sid on the team. I’m saying this as a Pens fan. I don’t even know if we would have made the finals any of those years without him.

[@anonymanonym6236]

@@tylerjennings8242 they literally won 2009 because Malkin carried them.

[@abowla7187]

Ovechkin doesn't back check. He scores goals. That's it.

[@nhchel]

@@abowla7187 bet you can’t find a clip of crosby back checking either. Definitely talented, but gets too much defensive credit imo

[@rolieg81]

Don't forget if Gretzky picked Sid for the '06 Olympic team and there were NHLer's '18, '22 thats 5 gold medals and possibly 6 if he plays at the '26 games.

[@benjaminholt6640]

Tie Domi has got to be in the discussion

[@jameshetu6885]

If we were ranking personality!

[@paulkellygolf3671]

How do you possibly ignore Jagr and Messier? Esspecially Messier who has 6 cups, is 3rd all time in scoring and also has multiple Canada Cups

[@hellofalife9495]

Messier played in the 80s and 90s during the easiest era to score in ever while on the best offensive team ever (the Oilers) for his almost entire prime and struggled to put up 100 points for most of it. Crosby has 600 less games played and only has 400 less points despite playing in a way harder league and time. Messier has cups on Crosby but that’s it, he obviously benefitted hugely from winning 4 with the greatest player of all time and possibly the greatest team of all time. Jagr should be 6th or 7th but Crosby is the better player. Jagr was absolutely useless on the defensive end of the ice and offensively he wasn’t any better than Crosby. Jagr was also never able to lead a team and win a cup without Lemieux, Crosby had Malkin but let’s be honest he’s no Mario.

[@abowla7187]

​@@hellofalife9495 fuckin facts dude.

[@paulkellygolf3671]

@@hellofalife9495 if you think playing in an era where hooking, holding, interference and in front of the net cross checking was part of the game then you don't know much about hockey.

[@hellofalife9495]

@@paulkellygolf3671 If you think the 80s and mid 90s weren't the easiest time to score in hockey history YOU are the one who doesn't know much, this is very basic

[@paulkellygolf3671]

@@hellofalife9495 I guess everyone from that era has 2000 points

[@rodhenson7657]

People that don't put Orr first never saw him play

[@lynobird9197]

Sid is the best all around hockey player of all time

[@CipherSerpico]

*Peter Forsberg* is the Best All Around Player of All Time.

[@drunkviggo7263]

He is definitely one of the best to ever play.

[@nostalgicdragonballtv3032]

@@CipherSerpicoPeter Forsberg scored 40 goals in a season how many times?

[@CipherSerpico]

@@nostalgicdragonballtv3032 1. What does ‘scoring 40 goals’ have to do with anything? 2. ‘Alex Ovechkin is The Greatest Player ever-since he’s had more 40 Goal Seasons than Gretzky and Lemieux’…? That’s your argument?

[@johnv17v54]

@@CipherSerpicobuddy Crosby just better

[@thundercookie1303]

Yzerman is a better leader than all those guys, and he's a top all time scorer but no one ever talks about him

[@TADMG]

Yea, gotta be one of the best leaders of all time. I remember reading some thing about how Bowman got him to change his playstyle and be more defensive. Basically asked if he wanted personal accolades or Cups. He choose Cups.

[@kylermurray3543]

Sidney is the greatest he won at every level and the assists say the rest . Also the length of his career on top of the league is insane . I can only see Mcdavid or Mackinnon coming close but not the same amount of chips

[@bradenthacker6226]

Where's the full video for thos

[@BWalker9313]

It’s really hard to determine that in the NHL because there’s so many greats with incredible legacies. I think Sid’s amazing, he’s a great player but when I hear top 5 that’s tough. I really can’t decide. Such a hard choice

[@northeastfishing8496]

I'd say sid is 5th best all time cups points and 3 or more occasions players tried to end his career and he kept on killing it after he recovered so yea easily top 8

[@cheetolics]

Ovi and Crosby top five now you can't deny it

[@Monkey_13]

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

[@logandavies5950]

The problem is your never gonna wanna put a player over any of these legends so with people thinking like this no one will ever been better than anyone

[@dvon1097]

Gretzky, Lemieux, Orr, Jagr, Crosby

[@mjg6874]

Mess is right there in top 5..Mr hockey was in a class of his own so arguably still no 1/2 considering the 6 team era and the conditions players played under, the savagery…gordie’s toughness, his will,tenacity, the intimidation factor..etc

[@TheHappybilmore]

pretty good defensively.

[@tarntarn8227]

In no order, Lemeuix, Howe, Gretzky, Sid, Orr

[@TheClumsyChicken]

Hard to compare all these players in different eras

[@christnyr25]

Ehhh maybe yeah, he needs to get into the top 5 in points to really solidify it

[@robertheron7017]

If he didn't miss those 2 nhalf season's he would be sitting at 18000 point's easy the man is a machine at the age of 35 or 36 he still puts up 80 to 100 points season. I mean that's just fantastic.

[@KINGPOOPS]

18,000 points might be pushing it a little

[@chadgrov]

Crosby is 100% a top 5 all time. Living up to the expectations and exceeding them. The way he carries himself, 3 cups, GWG in OT for Olympic gold, he is the perfect ambassador for Canadian hockey just like Gretz and Mario and Bobby and Gordie. Class all the way and having a career year at 35.

[@Tansle620]

Sid is like 6 or 7. He is easily my #4 or 5 had he not suffered from those concussions. Gretz Lemieux Orr Lidstrom/Howe Jalen Ramsey

[@jameshetu6885]

Wayne, Mario, Bobby Orr, Patrick Roy, Gordon Howe First three are pretty undisputed. Roy changed how the position was played and dominated during the wide open 80’s and early 90’s and During the dead puck era. Howe is the prototype hockey player and he played for decades and held all the records Wayne broke. He adds grit that hockey is known for and that the top two lacked. Orr and Roy had some… although Roy may have been positively crazy rather than gritty.

[@cheetolics]

Yeah but you can take goalies out they have their own list

[@KINGPOOPS]

Gretzky, Orr, Lemieux, and Howe are the obvious top 4. Number 5 is a toss up between Crosby and Hasek in my opinion.

[@brownjoosive_]

That top 5 is legit in no order. Howe cros Gretz Mario Orr.

[@johnv17v54]

He’s the goat

[@curious2624]

Not a top 5. It would be hard pressed for him to crack top 10. Gretzky Lemeiux Orr Howe Yzerman Messier Lafleur Beliveau Jagr Richard

[@whoisjaaxn2587]

what ep is this from

[@omegablack80214]

1. Gretzky 2. Howe 3. Hasek 4. Orr 5. Lemieux That's my top 5, Sidney and Ovi are in the top 15 of my list though. It's just that there's been alot of great players and I rate goalies higher than others

[@strahinjagov]

Mario fifth? You're high, lmao. Also comparing goalies to skaters makes zero sense.

[@briang6994]

Pfft

[@mikeikeda1208]

Ovechkin for sure. When will he gain respect? When he breaks Gretzky's goal record? Especially in a harder era? Connor McDavid will be on that list in the future.

[@Dr.Frankensteen]

Ovi is the greatest goal scorer of all time no doubt. But defense and the ability to control the puck is a huge part of the game and Sid is better at that than Ovi. However, Sid isn't top 5

[@tyb7519]

People say sid is more rounded but they really sleep on the fact ovi is also 4th all time in hits as well.

[@tyler.harford6479]

Sid excels significantly more in the defensive aspect of the game than ovi. Ovi and Sid also have the same amount of points and Sid has played 200 less games. Sid easily better overall IMO

[@scooter29]

Saying Ovi doesn’t get respect is delusional.

[@BobBob-et9io]

I think Ovi is rated exactly where he should be. A step behind Crosby, but still one of the best of all time, and for sure the best goal scorer of all time

[@ryanatkinson9622]

I feel like there’s 10 top 5 players of all time and 20 top 10 players of all time and 200 top 100 players of all time.

[@trevwaz8177]

The players that have played in the NHL, that can be considered for top 20 is insane, I could easily name 50

[@trevwaz8177]

Bobby Orr/Paul Coffey is the only Defenceman that should be considered for top 20

[@trevwaz8177]

and #4 is #2

[@davidianson1182]

Lidstrom

[@gumbojones3133]

Ovechkin is a better goal scorer, Sid is the better player overall though.

[@cbskwkdnslwhanznamdm2849]

He is GOAT….there is no doubt folks. Stop denying it.

[@BG-ez4fg]

Stevie Y!!!!

[@user-eh6my3vh7t]

The best all around hockey player all time is Pavel Datsyuk

[@alschmidt8963]

Top ten maybe....Kariya, Melanie, lindros

[@Damphouse]

Sid is in the argument for top 5 along with guys like Bobby Hull, Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau, Roy and Hasek. However, I think if McDavid keeps at it, he'll be the de facto #5. If it wasn't for injuries, Crosby and McDavid might be interchangeable when it's all said and done. I'd put Ovi no higher than 12-13 tbh

[@lavluvlov]

There's much more than 5 outstanding players in the history of NHL, multiply by 10 at least...

[@nezzy70]

Why people so pressed about opinions

[@thetruthhurts6652]

These lists are dumb. Why not a Bergeron type of guy that doesn’t have the points but does everything else? You can make the case for many players.

[@jamiekoh6113]

I have to squeeze Messier into the top 5 somehow. The fact he won two cups without Gretzky while Gretzky failed to win one without him speaks volumes, IMO.

[@RowanDank]

if you put Ovi over sid I feel bad for you😂

[@user-rf5vp4uc2e]

You guys just dismissed people like Messier, Yzerman…Steven’s….what they weren’t leaders to multiple cups? These guys were the face of the league for 20 years and your like we’ll sid is better……get off his knob!

[@alschmidt8963]

Jager

[@sjsj9106]

So y’all just took at least 3 Russians outta that list💀 or we talking just NA

[@steffenb4615]

Gretzky Lemieux Orr Crosby Ovechkin

[@alschmidt8963]

Crosby isn't even close

[@dylanbrady4117]

Maybe a top 20 definitely not a top 5

[@alschmidt8963]

Selanne

[@alschmidt8963]

Sakic

[@Connor8609]

Yes , he already is

[@alschmidt8963]

Steve yzerman

[@navaronehartman8880]

I love Crosby but better than Jagr?

[@rickczainski9856]

No way Sidney should be ahead of Mr. Hockey.

[@pauluusitalo6299]

Gretzky, orr,lemieux, howe,ovi,crosby

[@hellofalife9495]

Ovi isn't a top 5 player with or without the record, Crosby has been the clear cut better player for 15 years now

[@shon9474]

Makar

[@Beezer1742]

Top 5? Probably. Sid over Ovechkin? Easy.

[@michaelm.6043]

Top 5 out of 6 teams vs top 5 out of 30 teams How do deal with this Put the best players of the current era on 6 teams what would that be like 😮😂?

[@tysonleblanc8862]

No and not even a top 5 center let alone a top 10 player. If we're adding dman and goalies. Just at center alone. Gretzky Lemieux Esposito Messier Beliveau Forsberg Sakic Yzerman. Dman Orr Harvey Lidstrom Bourque. Goalies Roy Hasek Plante Sawchuk Brodeur.

[@flanky1210]

Love how everyone is bringing up non NHL achievements...

[@northface-3044]

Whit blows aid wayyyy too much to have a say

[@vandersmilez]

Sid is a top five... with OV. And why hate on LeBron? Childish rant, "for me no way" 😅 like a child eating vegetables.

[@IGirt1]

How anyone could put ovi above sid. Like get real

[@markussivertsenhagen8339]

Wat about ovenskin

[@Damphouse]

If you don't have Gordie Howe in your top 4, you don't know hockey. Period. We're talking about a guy who won 6 art rosses, 6 harts, lead the league in goals 4 times and scored 97 points in 70 games (in an era that would put the DPE to shame) when the next closest non teammate wasn't even a point per game. He also scored 100 points at the age of 40 in the same season where Esposito and Orr were playing. He was a top 5 player in the league every year for basically 20 years. Greatest longevity of all time, an amazing offensive talent with a great 2 way game, and dominated his peers at a level nobody other than Gretz, Orr, Lemieux and McDavid have done. When you play in the same league as Gretz 3 years before he enters the league and produce just as much as he did in your mid 40s, all that "it was a different era" crap goes out the window.

[@Pitou2K22]

Jean Béliveau, Rocket Richard are definitely ahead of Gordie Howe. So there I took him out of the top 5 for you guys!

[@robertbrown8900]

A perfect example of recency bias. Many people consider Sid top 5 all time, only because he's the greatest of the current generation. It's pretty much set that the top 4 skaters all-time are Gretzky, Orr, Howe, Lemieux. Putting Sid above Rocket freakin Richard is a joke. Beliveau, Lafleur, Jagr, Esposito, Bobby Hull, Messier, Bourque, Potvin.. you can also put Doug Harvey, and Eddie Shore in the top 10 or 15. The point is, Crosby is not even top-10. I would say he's in a category with Bryan Trottier and Bobby Clarke around top 20 or 25. AND if you include goalies, then Hasek, Plante, Roy would push Sid even further down the list.

[@headflat449]

I am not a fan of Crosby, but I can't argue with this. Crosby is certainly top 5. I will also not take Howe out.

[@flytheskymyway]

Gordie Howe’s results came from both longevity and talent. He played for 26 seasons in the NHL until 52 years old. More than anyone. He was definitely great but not even top 5.

[@abowla7187]

Nobody is playing that long anymore.

[@hegodamask7384]

@@abowla7187Jagr is still playing. Left the NHL in 2018. But he’s still lacing up.

[@mobeefus]

Top 5? Meh. Top 10 definitely.

[@TangysYT]

probaly top 3

[@jeremyshingoose6052]

Crosby is definitely a top 5 player all time. On top of this he had three seasons messed up from injuries. He was on pace for 130 points in each of those season, not to mention the residual effects the concussions had after. He would already be top 10 points and finishing top 3 when he retires if he didn’t lose that time. Regardless, I think he still finishes top 5 points with all the other accolades and cups.

[@craigjones8666]

Not in the top five! 1 Gretzky 2 Jagr 3 Howe 4 Orr 5 Lemieux Yes maybe 6! Or top 10 for Crosby where will Mcdavid end up after a cup win!

[@penzeyt]

He is top 5

[@caltabat8313]

Dude what ?? The stats don’t lie plus 3 cups!? All his trophies regular season post season. You play to win cups. So mcdavid is out unless he rattles off 3 cups. Which I doubt ovechkin has one and that’s pry it for him. The great one had 4 and all the stats. Mario has 2 and stats. How the hell can you not put Sid in top 5?? To me those who don’t are crazy and just wanna hate. But guess what you’ll miss hating him when he’s gone. I hated Kobe Bryant for years. But I miss his greatness. Appreciate Sid while we have him. We’ve watch one of the best players to ever touch the ice. My rant is done lol

[@shon9474]

Sid definitely earned a spot on the top 5 list. He has had a target on his back ever since the first time he laced his skates up. When you are that good & you start embarrassing star players on opposing teams.. you are going to make some enemies. If they can't match that kind of skill.. then the cheap shots will begin!

[@maggiew689]

The fact that Yzerman is just a better Crosby and he wasn’t mentioned is crazy

[@313sparks]

For real

[@realeyesrealizereallies1194]

Hahahahahaha, thats funny.

[@maggiew689]

@@realeyesrealizereallies1194 what’s funny about it?

[@kanegarvey848]

He's in my top 5 all fucking day

[@realeyesrealizereallies1194]

@Maggie W Stevie definitely top 100 but crosby is the complete package. He's leading the league in even strength goals this year. You already know his accomplishments. The real question is why they didn't mention Mcdavid

[@ThePhilly501]

Absolutely!

[@Christopher.Charles]

Nicklas Lidstrom is above Sidney Crosby.

[@thebhawks39]

Nope.

[@LorentzHallMusic]

My list 1. Forsberg 2. Crosby Far behind comes all the rest Jagr didn’t win without Lemieux and we’re pretty self centered for the first half of his nhl carrier. He focused mainly on scoring, rarely defended and didn’t make teammates better. Forsberg always made teammates better, skated back to help, had a lot of puck steals, played PK and helped guys to score 50 goals per season. Without him Milan Hejduk and Simon Gagne wouldn’t have scored 50/season. Forsberg is easily a much more complete player than Crosby. Crosby can’t keep his balance like Forsberg could or dish out tackles like Forsberg. He also doesn’t have the most insane winning mentality as Forsberg. If you would put 5 x Crosby up against 5 x Forsberg, we both know that Crosby might win 3 games out of 10. Gretzky would win 0 games. Lemieux perhaps 1 game. Jagr 0 games. Bobby Orr 0 games. Gordie 0 games. McDavid 2 games. Let’s be real. Forsberg is the ultimate warrior, the ultimate hockey player, the teammate everyone wants. He dominates and sets up teammates. If it wouldn’t have been for his foot problems he probably would have won a few more cups. He became a superhuman during playoffs. Points per game doesn’t reflect who is best. He saw the ice just as well as Gretzky and made quarterback passes over the defense players. He could go through a whole teams, run over people, defend the puck like no other, defend like few others, pass like no other(perhaps Gretzky) and mentally he could make the opposition unbalanced. I’d rank Forsberg as #1 and Crosby as a close # 2. Far behind comes Lemieux as # 3. Gretzky as # 4. After that I’m not sure. But nobody can say that Gretzky and Lemieux were total packages. They never defended, sacrificed themselves to block a shot or played PK. That’s not an ultimate hockey player to me. I put them as 3 and 4 because of their offensive skills, but they were not complete like Forsberg and Crosby. Jagr is not even in the debate even though I love Jagr. I prefer complete players that unselfishly helps the team to win without trying to shine. If Datsyuk wouldn’t have been so uneven in his engagement to the games and could take/dish out tackles, I’d rank him #3. Some games he was invincible and he didn’t have that insane fire like Forsberg and Crosby. Forsberg always played as if his life depended on it, or his legacy. Forsberg is the GOAT Tell me one player that would win against 5 x Forsberg. 5 x Gretzky? Hell no. Forsberg would tackle him, steal the puck and never let Gretzky get the puck again. Nobody. 5 x Forsberg would win against 5 x of any player that you could think of, and you know it.

[@nezzy70]

Longest troll comment in history

[@willcronberger1637]

Gretzky at 4 is criminal and insane he should be nothing lower than one your crazy

[@scoutullreich-ov9xf]

Penguins fan. Sid isn’t top5 not even close

[@nhchel]

I put Ovi over Sid every day of the week. Sorry but as talented as Sid is he hasn’t proved himself as dominant over the rest of the league as McDavid and Ovechkin has and on top of that he’s played for a powerhouse team over his entire career. (Just my opinion you probably won’t agree)

[@patrickhall6627]

I think Crosby is the better player overall, though in their prime Ovi was more dominant. They play different positions, so direct comparisons don't make the most sense, but Ovi is the best LW in NHL history, and Crosby is (at best) the 3rd best C. The main difference between them, is that Ovi has been better at goalscoring, than anyone has been at anything else in the NHL, over the course of his career. He has 50% more goals than #2 (Crosby, fyi). I challenge anyone to find any stat where a player leads 2nd place by 50%, over the course of Ovi's career. No one, Crosby included, can make such claims.

[@Childofbhaal]

@@patrickhall6627Even with Ovi scoring all those goals Crosby still has more points than him at far fewer games played.

[@patrickhall6627]

@@Childofbhaal You have stated a fact, which in no way at all refutes any argument I made. I see you completely ignored my challenge, btw. Ovi, on a relative basis, is better goal scorer than almost anyone has been at almost anything in the entire history of the NHL, and that fact is completely dismissed by huge chunks of hockey fans. That's hilarious to me. And not that I'm even denigrating Crosby either. He's one of the greatest to ever play. He just wasn't as dominant in his prime; he has been consistently excellent like almost no one has ever been.

[@nhchel]

@@Childofbhaal A lot of those points wouldn’t happened if Crosby wasn’t on such a good team though. I mean look at the Pens compared to the Caps throughout most of Ovi and Crosby’s career. The Pens had Malkin, Guentzel, Letang, Dumoulin, While the caps had Backstrom, Wilson, a struggling TJ Oshie.

[@asdfg2489]

Gretzky-Lemieux-Orr-Howe-Bossy

[@scooter29]

Top 5 easy

[@dpgerais2592]

100%

[@LGRW313]

Great analysis

[@tadeashudak9092]

He is the GOAT at this point in time

[@natesanborn4408]

Sid isn't on Gretzky, orr, lemieux level. Mcdavid could get there but that level is so reserved for the truly special it's no dig to sid to put him at 4 or 5. He's a generational player and this era since the lockout is the Crosby era.

[@Dr.Frankensteen]

No he's not.

[@Recon6delta]

This is not a debate Sid ALL DAY Long!!!!! He has to be #5 he will continue to put up big numbers! He is #6 in the league now in his 18th season! Think about how high of a level you have to be at to be in that category. Not to Mention the talent is wayyyyyyyy better than it was back in the day! Those guys would score 5 goals at ease all the time!

[@NathanAndersonE]

Certainly top 10 if not top 5

[@penzeyt]

He is top 5

[@mosalad7176]

If ovi was Canadian they wouldn’t even question putting him top 5

[@tylerstephenson8886]

but he isnt and he supports Putin which is going to stain his legacy like a mofo.

[@Dr.Frankensteen]

I'll do it, I'll take Howe out. As great as Howe was and even though no one was as influential to hockey as Howe until Gretzky, I'd put him just out of the top 5. Jagr needs some love ahead of Crosby.

[@harrykruse5808]

Crosby over ovi. More cups more points, better overall player