Would it be unprecedented for Crosby...

[Henry Hank]

...to finish in the top ten in scoring as an 18-year-old? As of now, he's tied for 11th with Marian Hossa. Has an 18-year-old ever been able to do that? Whether he wins the Calder Trophy or not, what he's done has been pretty impressive considering how bad the team has been.

[Stoosh]

With 65 points in 58 games, Crosby is scoring at a clip of 1.12 ppg. With 23 games remaining in the Pens' season, he's looking at another 26 points, which would give him 91 for the year (39G, 52A).

To put this in some perspective, here are how some other top-name players did in their rookie seasons...

Ilya Kovalchuk debuted as an 18-year old in 2001-02. In 65 games, he scored 51 points (29G, 22A). At 19 the following season, he played in 81 games and scored 67 points (38G, 29A).

Rick Nash played in 74 games as an 18-year old in 2002-03. He scored 39 points (17G, 22A). The following season, he played in 80 games, scoring 57 points (41G, 16A).

Vinny LeCavalier played 82 games as an 18-year old rookie in 1998-99. He scored 28 points (13G, 15A). The following season, he played 80 games, scoring 67 points (25G, 42A).

Joe Thornton played in 55 games as an 18-year old in 1997-98. He had 7 points (3G, 4A). In 81 games the next year, he had 41 points (16G, 25A).

Alexandre Daigle debuted as an 18-year old with Ottawa in 1993-94. He scored 51 points (20G, 31A) in 84 games.

Eric Lindros debuted as a 19-year old in 1992=93. He scored 75 points (41G, 34A) in 61 games.

And as we all know...Mario Lemieux had 100 points in his rookie season as an 18-year old. He scored 43 goals and 57 assists in 73 games.

[FallenHero96]

Its interesting that Crosby and Hossa have the exact same totals, 28g, 37a, 65p.... 4 points less than Ovechkin.

Selanne's rookie season he was probably in the top 10 in scoring... but I dont know about others.

[guiner]

In 81' 82

First overall, Dale Hawerchuk scored 45 goals and 58 assists for 103 points as a 18 year old rookie.

dino ciccarelli and dave taylor were tied at 9th with 106 points. so he must have been pretty close to top ten in a time of huge offense, Gretz had 212 points that year.

g

[FuturePens]

...to finish in the top ten in scoring as an 18-year-old? As of now, he's tied for 11th with Marian Hossa. Has an 18-year-old ever been able to do that? Whether he wins the Calder Trophy or not, what he's done has been pretty impressive considering how bad the team has been.

He alredy is in the top 10 tied with Hossa for 10th spot

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/statistic ... asontype=2

[FallenHero96]

Oh you had to put Daigle on that list didnt you?

And FYI sake, In Gret's first year in NHL in 79/80, he had 51,86... 137 total... but that was after years in the WHA and im not sure how old he was when he made his NHL debut.

[Stoosh]

I tried to limit my list to guys who made their debuts around the age of 18, which is why I put Daigle on there. Selanne was 22 when he played his rookie season. That's a huge difference in age.

That's the scary thing about Crosby. For as good as he is now, most skaters don't begin to hit their production peak until about 27 or 28. He's still ten years away from his peak years.

[FuturePens]

Peter Stastny was also a great player, as a rookie in Quebec in 1980/81 he scored 109 points, 39 goals and 70 assists. However, he was an older rookie, 24 I believe. However, worth mentioning the accomplishment, as being any rookie and getting 100+ points is special.

[FallenHero96]

Ya any way you cut it, Crosby is having an amazing season.

And he is only going to get better, folks.

[netwolf]

Selanne scored 76 goals as a rookie. Talk about a record that will never be broken...

No matter how you frame it Crosby is having a great season that is amplified by the fact that he's just 18.

[DelPen]

Selanne scored 76 goals as a rookie. Talk about a record that will never be broken...

No matter how you frame it Crosby is having a great season that is amplified by the fact that he's just 18.

Malkin could have a shot next year if the top D pair goes against Crosby.

[netwolf]

Malkin could have a shot next year if the top D pair goes against Crosby.

Maybe, but I doubt it. Malkin may be the better player by some accounts, but I've never seen any scouting report that said he's a better goal scorer than Ovechkin. Ovechkin is putting up huge numbers, and he's nowhere near that record.

I'd be perfectly happy to be proven wrong on this however.

[FuturePens]

Are you saying that Malkin could be better than Crosby????

If yes, you must be loosing your mind, Crosby is WAY better !!!

[Rohit]

thats not necessarily true. malkin has size and experience on crosby being larger and older...granted, that experience isnt nhl experience. at this point in time, malkin may be the better player.

[FuturePens]

NEVER, he may be the better goal scored, but not a better player. Crosby's got the touch, the instinct and the ability to score when he wants to. He's a much better play maker I believe. I 'am so confident even though I have not seen Malkin play alot. If Malkin ends up being even close as good as Crosby, oh my, I will be really happy, as will our new owner!!! It would be nice to have 2 all star Centers.

[Rohit]

dude, that makes no sense at all, if you havent seen malkin play.

crosby is good, yes, but how can you call him better than a player you havent seen play

[abigFATAss]

dude, that makes no sense at all, if you havent seen malkin play.

crosby is good, yes, but how can you call him better than a player you havent seen play

This seems like a flawed argument on both sides. There's limited footage of Malkin's abilities. On the other hand, Malkin is playing in the second best pro league outside of the NHL for the second year in a row.

[Scott]

Not only that....just think of where his stats would be if he was plying with JUST ONE FINISHER...

not to mention even a less restrictive system...or even a "system" period.

[tifosi77]

Iirc, Waynard Betzky made his pro debut with Indianapolis at a 17-year old, and was a 19-year old rookie in Edmonton (with two pro seasons under his belt). Mario was drafted at 18, but turned 19 right at the start of the 84-85 season, meaning he played pretty much the whole year as a 19-year old.

I think Ducky takes the honor for the best season ever by a 'true' 18-year old rookie.