Sidney Crosby is a star who, at 38, continues to captivate fans, experts, and even NHL legends who examine his remarkable legacy with the Pittsburgh Penguins. So much so that a former Stanley Cup champion with the Calgary Flames, who also shined with the Toronto Maple Leafs, gave a strong endorsement of the veteran forward.
Recognition from legends who were peers in the league is undoubtedly extraordinary for a star like Crosby, who will look to lead the Penguins during their rebuild in the 2025-26 NHL season. The three-time Stanley Cup winner aims to keep making a strong impact on the ice.
In the lead-up to the Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina in 2026, Crosby has been praised by several NHL stars who see him as the team’s undisputed leader. However, one of these stars, who made history in Canadian hockey playing for the Flames and Maple Leafs among others, singled out the Penguins captain above all other current players.
Who chose Crosby as the greatest of all time?
The legend who named Crosby the best NHL player of all time is none other than Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald. “Sidney is my all-time favorite player, with all due respect to Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon and others,” he said during a charity golf tournament at Le Mirage, via NHL.com
Sidney Crosby takes the ice during the 2024–25 NHL season
In addition to choosing Crosby over stars like McDavid and MacKinnon, McDonald explained his reasoning by saying the Penguins forward “does everything right. He makes everyone on the ice better just by being Sidney.”
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NHL News: Sidney Crosby gets encouraging messages from Canadian legends, including Stanley Cup champions
McDonald in the NHL
McDonald won the Stanley Cup in 1989 with the Flames, scoring a decisive goal in the sixth game of the finals against the Montreal Canadiens. Over the course of his career, he also shined with the Maple Leafs and is considered a legend of both Calgary and Toronto.
His number 9 was retired by Calgary in 1990, and after his retirement, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992. He also served as the Hall of Fame’s chairman for a decade. Even with this impressive résumé, he did not hesitate to name Crosby as the greatest.
