Why they rank here
The most complete player of his generation, Sidney Crosby has carried the Pittsburgh Penguins and Canadian hockey for two decades. Drafted first overall in 2005 amid impossible hype as The Next One, he delivered: three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017), two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP, two Hart Trophies, and the 2010 Olympic gold medal, which he clinched with the Golden Goal in overtime against the United States, the most famous goal in Canadian hockey since 1972. Through the 2024-25 season he has amassed more than 1,650 points and over 600 goals, and remains a point-per-game player deep into his thirties. Crosby's genius is his two-way command and his puck protection down low, where his low centre of gravity and strength make him nearly impossible to dislodge. A relentless competitor and a model captain, he elevated the Penguins into a modern dynasty and stands as the defining North American star of the post-lockout era, bridging the game's past and present.
Career profile
Each bar shows how this athlete compares with the strongest in our all-time list for that metric.
Head-to-head
Compare career numbers side by side.