Pittsburgh Penguins’ center Sidney Crosby should already be considered one of the best NHL players of all time. At least according to Hall of Famer Bobby Orr.
Orr, widely accepted as the best defenseman in history, recently had a chat with The Athletic, and at one point he discussed Crosby’s place among NHL greats. According to the 72-year-old Hall of Famer, Crosby belongs side by side with himself, Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, and Mario Lemieux.
“I want you to be very comfortable putting Sidney Crosby’s name with the rest of us,” said Orr. “Just trust me on that one. He’s so, so special. If you ask those other guys on the list, I know that they’ll tell you the same thing I’m about to tell you: Sid belongs on that list.”
Orr explains that Crosby’s ability to return from multiple injuries and still play on the high level alongside numerous career accomplishments makes him deserving of the title.
“Look at the injuries he’s dealt with, especially earlier in his career. He’s been beat up, hurt, been through so, so much. And through it all, look at what he’s accomplished,” he added. “He’s won all of those Cups. He’s won the Olympics; scored the goal to win it, in fact. The World Cups he’s won. The numbers he’s put up. Everything he’s done. He’s one of the greatest hockey players of all time.”
Since making his NHL debut in 2005, Sidney Crosby scored 528 goals and contributed 921 assists (1,449 points) in 1148 games in both regular season and playoffs. He has eight All-Star appearances, two Art Ross trophies, and Hart Memorial trophies. Crosby also led the Penguins to three Stanley Cups and Canada to two Winter Olympics gold medals.
Bobby Orr played only 12 seasons in NHL, with Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks, but that was enough for him to get his name in the conversation for the greatest player of all time. Orr won James Norris Trophy, given to best defenseman, eight consecutive times while also being awarded Hart Memorial Trophy three consecutive times. He also has two Stanley Cups with Bruins.
