Mark Madden: Sidney Crosby’s trophy case earns respect from peers

The NHL Players’ Association asked its membership to select hockey’s creme de la creme. The 588 who responded to the poll chose Edmonton’s Connor McDavid as the NHL’s best forward.

They also picked the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby as the league’s most complete player and the player you’d most want on your team if you needed to win one game.

The NHLPA could put together a decent high school yearbook. Who got biggest flirt, class clown and life of the party?

During McDavid’s five NHL seasons, he has 469 points in 351 games. In the current season, he has 97 points in 64 games.

During those same five campaigns, Crosby has 410 points in 357 games. Before disease interrupted this year, he had 47 points in 41 games.

It’s hard to argue against McDavid as best forward.

But, if you had to win one game, why wouldn’t you want the player with the most points? Most goals wins, right?

Crosby being named most complete player was obvious. He’s the only choice. It’s almost like the categories were designed so Crosby and McDavid were both guaranteed to get something. (Maybe more than “almost.”)

Much of the 200-foot excellence and effort that got Crosby voted most complete player also figures into him being recognized as most likely to win.

But mostly, it’s because Crosby has won: three Stanley Cups, two playoff MVPs earned in the pursuit. Five international championships, too. Crosby’s last two Cups, two playoff MVPs, World Cup of Hockey gold medal and that competition’s MVP occurred within the timeline of McDavid’s pro career.

During that span, McDavid has made the playoffs once and won one series. That’s not necessarily an indictment: McDavid has been betrayed by a bumbling organization and a poorly-assembled team. Mario Lemieux’s Penguins didn’t make the playoffs until his fifth season.

Crosby’s championships are particularly valued by players, even more so by ham-and-eggers who have no shot at individual honors like scoring titles. That makes how the vote went even less surprising.

Crosby’s work ethic, leadership and personality make him all the easier to praise. Coach Mike Sullivan said Crosby’s teammates “gain a whole other appreciation” for Crosby during the pandemic.

Why? Does he wash his hands more than anybody else? But respect breeds respect.

The vote — which would be much less significant if there were games to talk and write about — reignites the debate over the significance of winning in judging individual greatness.

Tom Brady is widely regarded as the G.O.A.T. when it comes to quarterbacking. He has great career numbers compiled via excellence and longevity.

But there are a half-dozen quarterbacks I consider better, including Dan Marino, who never won a Super Bowl. But those who support Brady wield his six rings like a bludgeon, and it’s a compelling argument.

Another interesting debate cropping up amid the stultifying boredom is Crosby vs. Lemieux.

I had never considered such a discussion, and certainly the numbers don’t allow one.

Using the easiest direct comparison, Lemieux averaged 1.883 points per game, the second-best mark in NHL history. Crosby is at 1.284, ranking him sixth.

Crosby’s figure is amazing given his era. Lemieux’s figure is just plain amazing.

Crosby’s all-around play closes the gap.

Lemieux’s defensive acumen (especially in crucial situations) is underrated. Lemieux scored 13 shorthanded goals in 1988-89, still the NHL record. That’s defense, too.

Crosby’s absolute mastery on that side of the puck can’t possibly be overrated, however. Crosby would have won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward several times if his scoring didn’t keep getting in the way.

Crosby has three Cups, Lemieux two. Crosby has five international championships, Lemieux three. But Crosby has had far more international opportunity. He may have beaten Russia but never CCCP. Lemieux helped Canada beat the Soviet machine in the 1987 Canada Cup, netting both of Canada’s winning goals in the best-of-three final. (But Crosby’s “Golden Goal” to win the 2010 Olympics carries much cachet.)

It’s tough to compare Lemieux and Crosby because they’re so contrasting: different body type, different skill set, different style.

Lemieux nonetheless gets the edge, though the gap is closer than I might have thought when Crosby joined the Penguins.

It’s just great that both played in Pittsburgh. Both are top five all-time.

My top five all-time: Lemieux, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, Crosby and…boy, one feels almost obligated to say Gordie Howe. But I’m not sure it isn’t Rocket Richard.