Is Sidney Crosby even close to Gretzky's talent?

Answer 1

Yes, Crosby brings more to the game then Gretzky ever did. Wayne could score but Crosby is definitely more physical and thats important in the game today. At the age of 19 Crosby will already have 2 100 point seasons under his belt in a league with more teams than Gretzky's time, in an era where goalie equipment is bigger, and on a team that has no where near the talent that Waynes did. Gretzky played in a scoring era, put Crosby in Gretzky's time and he owns every record. Crosby is and will be better than Wayne.

Answer 2

It is hard to say. For one thing, Crosby is so young, there is no telling how he will develop. In addition to this, the game is completely and utterly different now than it was in the 1980s.

I tend to think, "No, Crosby isn't." That said, it depends. Crosby definitely brings a few things to the table that Gretzky didn't, particularly a bit of an edge that Mr. Lady Bingzky lacked. Syd passes almost as good, leading the league in assists despite not really having any Jari Kurris, Paul Coffeys, or Mark Messiers to play with. That said, Crosby has yet to show that he can score goals like The Great One.

When you factor in how much tighter the defense is now compared to when Gretzky played, I have to think that Crosby is potentially close to his talent. I would definitely not call it a fact.

Answer 3

Only time will tell if he can hang with the Great One. There were a lot of things that happened right for Gretzky that help attribute to all his stats. He was on a great team for a large chunk of his career. He was also relatively injury free most of his career as well. There is no denying that Gretzky will be untouchable for a long time to come. But if Crosby remains injury free and plays alongside some other good players, based on his talent and hockey smarts, he will challenge Gretzky's numbers down the line. It will be fun to wait and watch!

Answer 4

His talent may prove to be close to Gretzky's-but probably not quite. Gretzky is the most prolific athlete in all north American sports history. Also, Gretzky played in a smaller-better league. The NHL is watered down now, Fewer great goalies, and less clutch and grab. Crosby can rack up some points-but we are not talking about points-we are talking about talent. This generation that is all psyched about Crosby never saw Gretzky-he was "the Great One". He was insane good. People always say nobody hit him-they never saw him play. Gretzky was untouchable-you couldn't line him up-you were just in awe. He fought through a lot of defense that would be penalties now. Crosby is good-will be a super star-but Gretzky-probably not.

Answer 5

Crosby is better than Gretzky hands down. Will he surpass Wayne's numbers? No way. The reason is because Crosby will bang. Unlike Gretzky who was never touched unless someone wanted "to go". He had so many body guards around him, the other players were afraid to go near him.

Answer 6

Crosby is only in his second year, so he deserves a bit more time in the league before the comparisons start.

Gretzky's big breakthrough year was his 4th season (3rd NHL season - his first year was in the WHA).

Having said the above, Sidney is not going to get the opportunity to play alongside the kind of talent Wayne did, nor is he going to play against the watered down competition Wayne did in the in the mid 80s. Nobody is ever again going to put up numbers like Wayne did in his Oiler days.

Answer 7

I think the next couple of years will tell the story. But look at it this way, he is playing for a team that is not doing to good, and he is on top of the scoring. The leader of it if I am not mistaken.

So in a couple of years if keeps playing the way he does and stays healthy, I could see him beating some of Gretzky's records.

Answer 8

Are you kidding? It appears that he may be close. Hard to put him with Gretzky yet though.

Answer 9

In a few years he very well could be. The Penguins could definitely be champions in a few years.

Answer 10

Beyond it!