History was made in last night’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Utah Hockey Club. Sidney Crosby, the Penguins captain and franchise icon, became the 21st player in NHL history to record 600 goals in his career.
Given that Crosby is still signed for two more years beyond this season in Pittsburgh, it’s a guarantee he will finish much higher than 21st on the all-time goal list. Should he continue to average between 30-40 goals a season, avoid injury, and retire after his extension, Crosby could finish his career 12th all-time in goals and potentially catch another franchise legend Mario Lemieux at 690.
It’s another impressive milestone in arguably the best career of the salary cap era. Crosby is already top-10 in the all-time points list and should pass the likes of Joe Sakic, Lemieux, and Steve Yzerman before he finally decides to hang up his skates.
Other notes from the Eastern Conference:
- The Detroit Red Wings may be light up front in tomorrow night’s contest against the New York Islanders. Ansar Khan of MLive reported this morning that forwards Patrick Kane and Michael Rasmussen weren’t on the ice for practice. Rasmussen’s absence is likely tied to the body check received from Boston Bruins’ forward Mark Kastelic in last night’s loss. There should be more context regarding Kane’s absence after the practice.
- TSN Ottawa reported this morning that the Ottawa Senators are without defenseman Artem Zub and forward Zack MacEwen at practice. No additional context was provided regarding the availability of either player for Ottawa’s game tomorrow night against the Calgary Flames. Still, it likely explains the Senators’ call-up of forward Zack Ostapchuk a few hours ago.
One of only two franchises with homegrown 600 goal scorers…
The Yinzgrates who want to trade everyone understand that statistically we’re due for a Nail Yakupov instead of a Mt. Rushmore player, right? That we are not owed another generational player by divine right of birth? 4 plus decade old “City of Champions” talk, notwithstanding.
Sid will play beyond his current contract. He will pass Mario (who only played 915 games) for the Pens all time scoring records. He will pass Jagr for second on the all time points list behind Wayne.
If he can stay healthy enough to play 70 plus games a year, he can probably get to 2,000 points.
Unless we make him play with absolute scrubs (Mario finished a year with Eric Meloche and Guillame Lefevre on his wings once) to placate some Yinzgrates, that is.