Crosby Total Points Dream Scenario

[Theoldpenguin]

Let me rumble over the line with this dream scenario:

Sid just ended the 2025 season with an amazing 91 points at age 37! This exceeded our expectations.

Next season 2026, he gets 87 points at age 38.

The season after that 2027, the last year of his contract, he gets another 79 points at age 39.

He signs on to play just 1 more year in 2028 and gets 69 points at age 40.

Sid now has 1922 career points, 1 ahead of Jagr's 1921 total. Sid ends his career #2 all time in points, only behind The Great One Mr. Wayne himself.

let's start the countdown together, one point at a time!!

[Coffey Break]

This just makes me sad all over again at how Sid was robbed of his prime because of David freakin Steckel. He would be runaway #2 all-time if it wasn't for that incident - and probably already on the chase for #1 all time. He was playing at an incredibly sublime level up to that point too, likes of which we had not seen in a very long time in this league.

[Antonio]

No chance he would have been 1 all time. No one else is even close to 99. Only player i think that could have ever thought about it if health had cooperated was Mario. Crosby wasn't hitting 1st in any universe.

[Michael74]

No chance he would have been 1 all time. No one else is even close to 99. Only player i think that could have ever thought about it if health had cooperated was Mario. Crosby wasn't hitting 1st in any universe.

Yeah, Crosby is a great player but pales in comparison to Mario and Wayne. It's not even close!

[Coffey Break]

Yep - a bit hyperbolic on my end For my money, #66 is the greatest of all-time and I don't think there is even a debate. Pure on-ice dominance, speed, skill, shot, and size all warped into one.

As for #87:

2010-2011: 1.6 PPG pace
2011-2012: 1.68 PPG pace
2012-2013 - NHL Lockout: 1.56 PPG pace

If he were to keep that pace for a full 82 games at arguably the height of his dominance, by my count, he would have added 239 points to his illustrious career - putting him at 1,908 points at the moment.

I know that it's coulda shoulda woulda but really unfortunate we didn't get to experience the full Sid "in his prime" aura during those 3 seasons (despite how good he has continued to be since).

[Theoldpenguin]

Agree with the sentiment. Either way finishing #2 all time would be an incredible feat, so let's start counting every point and hope for the best.

Also, this is not to slight Wayne's achievements, just something else to consider:

"While Gretzky played the bulk of his career in the highest-scoring era in NHL history, Crosby spent a significant chunk of his career playing in one of the lowest-scoring eras in NHL history.

Keep in mind that includes an especially low-scoring era between the 2010-11 and 2015-16 seasons were only four players in the entire NHL that played more than 100 games and averaged more than a point-per-game: Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Patrick Kane and Steven Stamkos. That was it."

[stonewizard51]

This just makes me sad all over again at how Sid was robbed of his prime because of David freakin Steckel. He would be runaway #2 all-time if it wasn't for that incident - and probably already on the chase for #1 all time. He was playing at an incredibly sublime level up to that point too, likes of which we had not seen in a very long time in this league.

Steckel's hit was asinine as hell. He knew what he was doing and Sid paid for it. That being said, don't forget Hedman's hit a couple nights later. That didn't help either.

[john66]

Sid plays until he's 45 and ends up with 2300 points.

[ahawk9]

Mario (including his 3-season retirement and the shortened season he took off to heal) lost nearly 500 games of his career, which means to me that he could have had almost 1,000 more total points. He and Sid both lost some prime stretches and still have these gaudy numbers. I also really wish Lemieux had managed one more point the year he 199 in 76 games.

[Zalapski33]

Mario (including his 3-season retirement and the shortened season he took off to heal) lost nearly 500 games of his career, which means to me that he could have had almost 1,000 more total points. He and Sid both lost some prime stretches and still have these gaudy numbers. I also really wish Lemieux had managed one more point the year he 199 in 76 games.

He might have reached 200 Points in the 1992-93 Season as well.And had a legit shot at Gretzky's 92 Goals record for a season.

He had 69 Goals and 160 Points in 60 Games missing 24 due to his Hodgkins Disease.If he played 20 of those Games he likely gets those numbers.

[Michael74]

Mario (including his 3-season retirement and the shortened season he took off to heal) lost nearly 500 games of his career, which means to me that he could have had almost 1,000 more total points. He and Sid both lost some prime stretches and still have these gaudy numbers. I also really wish Lemieux had managed one more point the year he 199 in 76 games.

He might have reached 200 Points in the 1992-93 Season as well.And had a legit shot at Gretzky's 92 Goals record for a season.

He had 69 Goals and 160 Points in 60 Games missing 24 due to his Hodgkins Disease.If he played 20 of those Games he likely gets those numbers.

He was on pace for 213 points, I remember it well. 2.67 points per game!

[pcmforless]

Mario (including his 3-season retirement and the shortened season he took off to heal) lost nearly 500 games of his career, which means to me that he could have had almost 1,000 more total points. He and Sid both lost some prime stretches and still have these gaudy numbers. I also really wish Lemieux had managed one more point the year he 199 in 76 games.

He might have reached 200 Points in the 1992-93 Season as well.And had a legit shot at Gretzky's 92 Goals record for a season.

He had 69 Goals and 160 Points in 60 Games missing 24 due to his Hodgkins Disease.If he played 20 of those Games he likely gets those numbers.

He was on pace for 213 points, I remember it well. 2.67 points per game!

Wow, there are probably some NHL teams this year that aren't averaging a lot more than that for a whole team

[Antonio]

Mario (including his 3-season retirement and the shortened season he took off to heal) lost nearly 500 games of his career, which means to me that he could have had almost 1,000 more total points. He and Sid both lost some prime stretches and still have these gaudy numbers. I also really wish Lemieux had managed one more point the year he 199 in 76 games.

He might have reached 200 Points in the 1992-93 Season as well.And had a legit shot at Gretzky's 92 Goals record for a season.

He had 69 Goals and 160 Points in 60 Games missing 24 due to his Hodgkins Disease.If he played 20 of those Games he likely gets those numbers.

He was on pace for 213 points, I remember it well. 2.67 points per game!

Such an incredible talent. He did that with just a little pesky thing like cancer and radiation to deal with in the middle of it all. A true legend. Imagine if he had been healthy and wasn't fighting potentially deadly disease and destructive treatment for that disease. He would have likely shattered all the records that year. If I remember right, he came back and played the same day as his last treatment and put up 2g1a (I think?). Insane.

[ahawk9]

Oh, man, great call! I totally forgot about '92-'93. He was headed toward 210 points (at his pace then).

He came back from treatment and received a standing ovation in Philly. Goosebumps!

[Michael74]

Mario (including his 3-season retirement and the shortened season he took off to heal) lost nearly 500 games of his career, which means to me that he could have had almost 1,000 more total points. He and Sid both lost some prime stretches and still have these gaudy numbers. I also really wish Lemieux had managed one more point the year he 199 in 76 games.

He might have reached 200 Points in the 1992-93 Season as well.And had a legit shot at Gretzky's 92 Goals record for a season.

He had 69 Goals and 160 Points in 60 Games missing 24 due to his Hodgkins Disease.If he played 20 of those Games he likely gets those numbers.

He was on pace for 213 points, I remember it well. 2.67 points per game!

Such an incredible talent. He did that with just a little pesky thing like cancer and radiation to deal with in the middle of it all. A true legend. Imagine if he had been healthy and wasn't fighting potentially deadly disease and destructive treatment for that disease. He would have likely shattered all the records that year. If I remember right, he came back and played the same day as his last treatment and put up 2g1a (I think?). Insane.

Greatest hockey talent ever.

[Michael74]

Mario (including his 3-season retirement and the shortened season he took off to heal) lost nearly 500 games of his career, which means to me that he could have had almost 1,000 more total points. He and Sid both lost some prime stretches and still have these gaudy numbers. I also really wish Lemieux had managed one more point the year he 199 in 76 games.

He might have reached 200 Points in the 1992-93 Season as well.And had a legit shot at Gretzky's 92 Goals record for a season.

He had 69 Goals and 160 Points in 60 Games missing 24 due to his Hodgkins Disease.If he played 20 of those Games he likely gets those numbers.

He was on pace for 213 points, I remember it well. 2.67 points per game!

Wow, there are probably some NHL teams this year that aren't averaging a lot more than that for a whole team

[longtimefan]

I always believed that Lemieux was more motivated than perhaps ever in his life when he returned from cancer. When he had to step away, he had 39 goals and 104 points in 40 games. Which is unfathomable. But he returned by scoring a goal and receiving a standing ovation in the Spectrum. He had just flown in privately after his final chemo treatment. Later that season he received a standing ovation in MSG after a 5 goal performance. But the numbers after coming back...20 games 30 goals 26 assists 56 points. For fun, over 82 games that extrapolates to 123G 104A for 227Pts. He was amazing. That doesn't do him justice. I got my season tickets his second season. I witnessed some great stuff.

Ultimately, the cancer took a lot from Lemieux. As did his back problems. Mike Lange said the one thing he never could get back was his incredible stamina. He was still great, on another level from everyone else. But what might have been. He never played a full season. Never played 1000 games. I so badly wish there would have been more. At least we got Sid as a consolation prize.

[Theoldpenguin]

Sid has passed the first barrier to #2 all time with 87 points on the season and 3 games to spare. Every point matters!!

[Victor]

Retiring when he hits 1987 points would be the superstitious thing Crosby could do

[Theoldpenguin]

Sid ends the season with 91 points and a career total thus far of 1687 (wouldn't you know).

I've updated the OP with the current stats and let the countdown begin!

[Puck-Lurker]

Retiring when he hits 1987 points would be the superstitious thing Crosby could do

I had thought he might end with 87 this season for similar reasons

[Stillerz Bar]

Truly amazing!! With 91 points this year, at 37 he is now tied for 2nd oldest to score 90 points with Gretzky, Mario, Sakic & Johnny Bucyk trailing only Gordie Howe who did it at 40 (which is just crazy). Sid & Gretzky are the only ones to do it twice at 36 or older.

Honestly, by mid February, the only reason I was watching was to see Sid get his 20th point per game season and see how high he can climb on the all-time list. He's currently at 9th with 1687. Here's how many points he needs to pass each of the players in front of him:

8 Mario Lemieux at 1,723 - 37 more points to pass
7 Steve Yzerman at 1,755 - 69 more points to pass
6 Marcel Dionne at 1,771 -85 more points to pass
5 Ron Francis at 1,798 - 112 more points to pass
4 Gordie Howe at 1,850 - 164 more points to pass
3 Mark Messier at 1,887 - 201 more points to pass
2 Jaromir Jagr at 1,921 - 235 more points to pass
1 Wayne Gretzky at 2,857 - 1,171 more points to pass

Mario is obviously well within reach and if he plays anything like he did this year, he could pass Yzerman & maybe even Dionne next season. Beyond that, it all depends on how high of a level he can continue at as he ages.

Obviously, Gretzky’s number is our of reach, but as Theoldpenguin said, all of the rest are potentially passable if he has 3-4 more good season. If he gets just 69 more points, he will be the leader in points who played with a single team as he, Mario & Yzerman are the only ones in the tops 10 who didn’t play for multiple teams (though Howe got 1809 of his with the Redwings but then added 421 more with Hartford).

Between Mario & Sid, we have been so fortunate to have had out team led for the last 40 years by these two highly skilled players that are also good human beings.

[IntangibleBeer]

Fabulous thread! Thanks.

[FLPensFan]

Truly amazing!! With 91 points this year, at 37 he is now tied for 2nd oldest to score 90 points with Gretzky, Mario, Sakic & Johnny Bucyk trailing only Gordie Howe who did it at 40 (which is just crazy). Sid & Gretzky are the only ones to do it twice at 36 or older.

Honestly, by mid February, the only reason I was watching was to see Sid get his 20th point per game season and see how high he can climb on the all-time list. He's currently at 9th with 1687. Here's how many points he needs to pass each of the players in front of him:

8 Mario Lemieux at 1,723 - 37 more points to pass
7 Steve Yzerman at 1,755 - 69 more points to pass
6 Marcel Dionne at 1,771 -85 more points to pass
5 Ron Francis at 1,798 - 112 more points to pass
4 Gordie Howe at 1,850 - 164 more points to pass
3 Mark Messier at 1,887 - 201 more points to pass
2 Jaromir Jagr at 1,921 - 235 more points to pass
1 Wayne Gretzky at 2,857 - 1,171 more points to pass

Mario is obviously well within reach and if he plays anything like he did this year, he could pass Yzerman & maybe even Dionne next season. Beyond that, it all depends on how high of a level he can continue at as he ages.

Obviously, Gretzky’s number is our of reach, but as Theoldpenguin said, all of the rest are potentially passable if he has 3-4 more good season. If he gets just 69 more points, he will be the leader in points who played with a single team as he, Mario & Yzerman are the only ones in the tops 10 who didn’t play for multiple teams (though Howe got 1809 of his with the Redwings but then added 421 more with Hartford).

Between Mario & Sid, we have been so fortunate to have had out team led for the last 40 years by these two highly skilled players that are also good human beings.

I was looking at his numbers a little closer this morning. His highest points per game seasons were actually his post concussion years when he played half a season if that, 10-11 season he was 1.68 pts/gm in 41 games, 11-12 he was 1.61 pts/gm in 22 games, and in 12-13 he was at 1.56 pts/gm in 36 games. Taking the average points per game of those 3 seasons (1.61) and then multiplying by 225 (75 games for 3 seasons), you get 364 points. Without injury, in his prime years, Crosby was playing at a 364 point pace...but he only earned 159 points in 99 games.

So in those seasons, he earned only 44% of his projected point total playing in 44% of the games. You add in those projected points, that would add another 205 points to his total. He'd be a little over 30 points behind Jagr right now.

Sid will need to play roughly 75 games a year, remain at a point per game pace, and add at least 1 more year to his contract to realistically catch Jagr. If he averages 75 games played and 1 point per game over the last 2 years of his contract, he'll be a few points behind Howe in 5th place.

If I were to place a bet, I would put money down on him passing Howe and moving into 4th place. He needs an extra year added to his contract to have a real shot at Messier and Jagr.

[Theoldpenguin]

Nice post, this is the stuff I love.

So next year, let's hope for an 85 point season to pass Marcel and take #6... but hope for more to whittle away at that all time #2.

Next season is going to be a fun one to root for on the way up the list. Hopefully these new young guys will help Sid have another offensively productive year.

The big question, if things go well the next 2 years of the final contract term, what % do you give Sid signing on for that extra year to reach #2?

Truly amazing!! With 91 points this year, at 37 he is now tied for 2nd oldest to score 90 points with Gretzky, Mario, Sakic & Johnny Bucyk trailing only Gordie Howe who did it at 40 (which is just crazy). Sid & Gretzky are the only ones to do it twice at 36 or older.

Honestly, by mid February, the only reason I was watching was to see Sid get his 20th point per game season and see how high he can climb on the all-time list. He's currently at 9th with 1687. Here's how many points he needs to pass each of the players in front of him:

8 Mario Lemieux at 1,723 - 37 more points to pass
7 Steve Yzerman at 1,755 - 69 more points to pass
6 Marcel Dionne at 1,771 -85 more points to pass
5 Ron Francis at 1,798 - 112 more points to pass
4 Gordie Howe at 1,850 - 164 more points to pass
3 Mark Messier at 1,887 - 201 more points to pass
2 Jaromir Jagr at 1,921 - 235 more points to pass
1 Wayne Gretzky at 2,857 - 1,171 more points to pass

Mario is obviously well within reach and if he plays anything like he did this year, he could pass Yzerman & maybe even Dionne next season. Beyond that, it all depends on how high of a level he can continue at as he ages.

Obviously, Gretzky’s number is our of reach, but as Theoldpenguin said, all of the rest are potentially passable if he has 3-4 more good season. If he gets just 69 more points, he will be the leader in points who played with a single team as he, Mario & Yzerman are the only ones in the tops 10 who didn’t play for multiple teams (though Howe got 1809 of his with the Redwings but then added 421 more with Hartford).

Between Mario & Sid, we have been so fortunate to have had out team led for the last 40 years by these two highly skilled players that are also good human beings.

I was looking at his numbers a little closer this morning. His highest points per game seasons were actually his post concussion years when he played half a season if that, 10-11 season he was 1.68 pts/gm in 41 games, 11-12 he was 1.61 pts/gm in 22 games, and in 12-13 he was at 1.56 pts/gm in 36 games. Taking the average points per game of those 3 seasons (1.61) and then multiplying by 225 (75 games for 3 seasons), you get 364 points. Without injury, in his prime years, Crosby was playing at a 364 point pace...but he only earned 159 points in 99 games.

So in those seasons, he earned only 44% of his projected point total playing in 44% of the games. You add in those projected points, that would add another 205 points to his total. He'd be a little over 30 points behind Jagr right now.

Sid will need to play roughly 75 games a year, remain at a point per game pace, and add at least 1 more year to his contract to realistically catch Jagr. If he averages 75 games played and 1 point per game over the last 2 years of his contract, he'll be a few points behind Howe in 5th place.

If I were to place a bet, I would put money down on him passing Howe and moving into 4th place. He needs an extra year added to his contract to have a real shot at Messier and Jagr.