Sport

Sidney Crosby Falls to 14th in TSN's Top 50 NHL Players List as He Enters 20th Season

2024-09-26

As the NHL kicks off a new season, TSN Hockey has revealed its annual ranking of the Top 50 players, providing an exciting preview ahead of its full reveal. The latest update showcases players ranked from 19th to 11th, and we spotlight the ever-iconic Sidney Crosby.

At 37 years old and entering his 20th season, Crosby is a legend in every sense. With two Hart Trophy wins (in 2007 and 2014), three Ted Lindsay Awards (2007, 2013, and 2014), and a reputation for being among the NHL’s premier scorers—he led the league in points in 2007 and 2014, and goals in 2010 and 2017—his accolades are unmatched. Additionally, he's played a pivotal role in leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to three Stanley Cup victories (2009, 2016, 2017) and has made history by winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in consecutive years, alongside fellow Penguins legend Mario Lemieux.

Crosby currently ranks 10th all-time in points with 1,596, just 45 points shy of surpassing Joe Sakic for ninth. Impressively, he enjoyed a remarkable 2022-23 season, finishing with 42 goals and 94 points—his best offensive performance in five years. His consistency and durability are evident, as he participated in all 82 games during the last two seasons.

While Crosby dominated the TSN Top 50 rankings for the first seven years of the list's inception in 2010, he's seen a shift with Connor McDavid now leading the charge. Crosby's recent drop to 14th comes after two consecutive seasons without playoff appearances for the Penguins. Nonetheless, with a fresh two-year, $17.4 million contract extension, he remains resolute in his commitment to return the Penguins to their former glory.

Here's a quick overview of other elite players listed from 19th to 11th:

19. Adam Fox, New York Rangers

Fox is widely regarded as one of the NHL's elite defensemen and boasts a strong last season performance, contributing 17 goals and 73 points.

18. Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning

After scoring 46 goals and 90 points last season, Point has forged a successful partnership with Nikita Kucherov and could see further synergy with freshly acquired Jake Guentzel.

17. Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers

Shesterkin had a solid season with a 36-17-2 record and was instrumental in the Rangers' playoff run, showcasing his capabilities as one of the league's leading goaltenders.

16. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators

Josi continues to shine as a defender, amassing 23 goals and 85 points, and his performance late in the season lifted the Predators to playoff contention.

15. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild

Kaprizov lit up the ice with 46 goals and 96 points, demonstrating clutch performance towards the end of the season, though the Wild ultimately fell short of postseason play.

14. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

As mentioned, Crosby had a strong offensive showing last season and remains one of the league's top talents despite the Penguins' struggles in recent playoffs.

13. Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers

Even though Tkachuk's regular season scores dropped, his playoff prowess was on full display as he helped guide the Panthers to their first-ever Stanley Cup victory.

12. Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils

Despite battling injuries, Hughes still tallied 27 goals and was impactful when healthy, showcasing his potential for future seasons.

11. Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers

Barkov’s versatility helps make the Panthers a formidable team, reflecting his talent through consistent performances.

As the season progresses, fans will eagerly watch Crosby and his peers compete for glory, anticipating whether Crosby can reclaim his spot among the top of the ranks and lead the Penguins back to postseason success.