I think that really depends on Sid's mindset. If he averages a point per game the last 2 years of his contract....do you go out on top, quitting while you were still playing at a high level, or do you keep pushing it until you suddenly realize your skills are declining and you shouldn't be playing anymore.Theoldpenguin wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 1:20 pmNice 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?
FLPensFan wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 11:13 amI 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.Stillerz Bar wrote: Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:52 amTruly 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.
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.
I think only Sid knows how to answer that as he gets closer to the end of his deal.
