Crosby Closing In on Lemieux as the Greatest Penguins Legend Debate Reignites
There’s a moment unfolding right now in the NHL that feels bigger than just another milestone, and it revolves around Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux—two names forever tied to the Pittsburgh Penguins and to hockey greatness. As things stand, Crosby is just one point away from tying Lemieux for eighth place on the NHL’s all-time scoring list, and that alone has reignited one of hockey’s most passionate debates: who has had the more impressive career?
What makes this moment special is how naturally it’s arrived. At 38 years old and in his 21st NHL season, Crosby hasn’t looked like someone slowing down. It’s been shown by his production this season, with goals and assists piling up at a pace that still leads the Penguins. His career total now sits at 1,722 points, split between 644 goals and 1,078 assists, and that number has been built with remarkable consistency across two decades.
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The comparison with Lemieux is unavoidable. Lemieux’s numbers were otherworldly, especially when you consider how few games it took him to reach 1,723 points. Injuries, back surgeries, and even cancer treatments interrupted his prime, yet his scoring rate remained staggering. In far fewer games than Crosby, Lemieux matched a point total Crosby is only now reaching after years of durability and longevity. That contrast often defines the argument—Lemieux as the most dominant force at his peak, Crosby as the most complete and enduring superstar of his era.
Crosby’s career hasn’t been without hardship either. Concussion issues once threatened to derail everything during his prime years, and entire seasons were partially lost. Still, he returned and adapted, evolving into a player whose game aged gracefully. Faceoffs, defense, leadership, and playoff intensity became just as important as raw scoring, and championships followed. Three Stanley Cups were delivered under his captaincy, with Conn Smythe performances that cemented his legacy.
What makes this story even more poetic is how closely their paths crossed. Lemieux didn’t just precede Crosby—he mentored him. They shared the ice during Crosby’s rookie season, and Lemieux later watched from the owner’s box as Crosby lifted the Cup multiple times, carrying forward the standard that had been set in Pittsburgh decades earlier.
As Crosby prepares to pass Lemieux on the franchise scoring list and climb even higher in NHL history, the debate may never be fully settled. What’s clear, though, is that Penguins fans have been privileged twice. One legend built the foundation, and another sustained it for a generation. And right now, history is quietly being rewritten, one point at a time.
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