Even before McDavid’s greatest scenes, Sidney Crosby knew

Crosby has been looking at McDavid for some time and has identified McDavid to be his replacement.

By Josh Yohe

Jun 21, 2024 11:54 AM

Sidney Crosby is well-known for many things, among them is his willingness and patience in dealing with media that can be a bit obnoxious.

For a long time I’d watch Crosby sitting at his locker, and take in questions. A particular type of question seemed more predictable and reliable than the other. Every time they Penguins met with the team who was selected at No. 1, as Crosby was in 2005. Crosby was asked about his comparisons and opinions to the newest hotshot to join the league.

Patrick Kane. Steven Stamkos. John Tavares. Taylor Hall. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Nail Yakupov (remember him? ).

Crosby was regarded as the top athlete on the planet at the time, but he was still gracious and elated about his draft selections. He didn’t sneer and sneer at the draft picks, but that wasn’t his style. There was a distinct feeling that Crosby was not a fan of the questions. Crosby is among the few superstars who aren’t egocentric ever to grace sports however, to be a superstar one still needs an personal ego. He was aware that he was more than the other players, although he admired them tremendously. He knew that he was wearing the crown.

In the autumn of 2012, Crosby knew exactly whom his successor would be.

That year, the NHL was embroiled in one of its periodic work stoppages, this one a lockout.

Players were allowed to use practice facilities, however team officials weren’t. Crosby assumed the position of director of media relations. In advance he would inform the media the exact time Penguins athletes — typically about a dozen would be exercising. Once was a very funny moment, players cancelled the following day’s workout. Then, Crosby reached me by phone and requested that I inform the journalists not to attend. It was an extremely strange moment for hockey, and particularly for Crosby who had lost 100 games during his prime because of an injury to his head. Then, he was being delayed further during his prime due to the lockout.

In addition, due to the shutdown, Crosby was able to take time to think about his thoughts, as well as his media relations responsibilities. He was able to be attentive to the other hockey players also, which is a luxury he usually doesn’t get granted in the month of October.

A little over two hours to the north of Pittsburgh the 15-year-old star was arriving at Erie, Pa. -The 15-year-old McDavid. McDavid took his place in the Ontario Hockey League by storm. I’d decided to go to Erie along with Penguins reporter Paul Steigerwald on Saturday, the night of McDavid’s first home game. Erie Otters were facing London Knights. London Knights.

In the game’s initial shift, McDavid shattered the defense duo of Olli Maatta and Scott Harrington and then scored to complete the highlight reel shot.

Dan Bylsma, then coaching Dan Bylsma, who was coaching the Penguins and was in attendance. After his game gnashed off Maatta and Harrington who were Penguins draft players, for allowing the goal in the first shift. After watching the exchange I joked with Bylsma that something like, “I don’t know, that McDavid kid is kinda good.”

Bylsma turned to me and replied: “He’s 15. He shouldn’t have to be split in this way.”

I told this tale to Crosby and he asked whether Bylsma truly said that. He then took my side.

“Doesn’t matter what age he’s at. He’s a different person,” Crosby said.

Oh?

Crosby always responds politely to questions about players, however He doesn’t do anything in this manner.

Then I realized I should mention that Erie Otters games aren’t televised in Pittsburgh. I thought that Crosby was never a fan of watching McDavid play.

“Got some time on my hands these days,” Crosby declared smiling. “I’ve seen him. I’ve seen him in highlights.”

The best athlete in the world is watching YouTube videos of 15 year old hockey player?

“Yep,” Crosby said.

He then said something that you’ll always remember. Incredibly, he noticed some thing in McDavid that was unique I asked him whether McDavid inspired him in any way. In a manner that was not arrogant, Crosby quietly said, “He reminds me of me.”

There is no doubt that He was awed by all the players that were compared to him. He once said to me that should he shoot like Alex Ovechkin, the player wouldn’t have as many passes as the other players do. I’ve seen Ovechkin shake his head as watching Patrick Kane stickhandle around an opponent on television.

However, he did not anoint others players, even though the players would be awestruck.

With McDavid visually, Crosby saw himself. He saw talent that was completely out of the realm of possibility.

Crosby didn’t feel threatened. He understood that someone else always comes along.

I’m guessing Wayne Gretzky felt the same when he went in Laval, Quebec, to watch Mario Lemieux play a junior game in 1984. Lemieux knew Gretzky was there and was playing, scored four goals in the first quarter. At the exact moment, a few months before being awarded the Stanley Cup for the first time, Gretzky knew the identity of his successor.

During the 2012 lockout McDavid could not have realized that Crosby was watching him from afar however, it was. There’s a sense of understanding, I believe among the greatest players of all time. They can recognize characteristics that only they are able to recognize since only they know the innate talent required to be historically great.

We’re watching McDavid become the king of Stanley Cup playoffs by storm and become the first player ever to record consecutive games with four points in the Stanley Cup Final. It’s remarkable. It’s fantastic for the sport. A superstar gets the most the spotlight in his prime and that’s something is something the NHL badly requires.

A lot of Crosby’s best was taken away by concussion as well as the lockout. However, his hockey-related sense and vision were impeccable even when he wasn’t skating that fall.

He was always aware that McDavid was his next generation, and McDavid played in the same manner which suggests that his physical abilities even surpassed his own.

He was on the right track. McDavid is in the same group with Gretzky, Lemieux, Crosby and Bobby Orr. Now, we’re waiting to find out what happens if McDavid will be able to make this comeback a success and take home a championship.

Crosby certainly will be watching. He has always been.

(Photo: Codie McLachlan / Getty Images)