PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – ESPN: “It was Sidney Crosby’s decade, but you already knew that.”
From leading the Pens to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins, to winning back-to-back Conn Smythe Trophies (only 3rd player in NHL to do so, and first since Mario Lemieux in 1991 and 1992), Sid had quite the decade. Those are just a few of the accomplishments he had over the ten years—he also led the NHL in goals (174) and wins (32.3); oh, and he won his second Hart Trophy in 2014.
But it wasn't just the stats and trophies that made this "Sidney Crosby's decade." ESPN also notes that Crosby's impact went beyond the ice.
“The concussions he suffered in early 2011 put a renewed focus on player safety," ESPN writes, "and the potentially devastating effects of hits on the head in hockey.”
-- SIDNEY -- CROSBY -- IS -- SUPER -- HUMAN -- pic.twitter.com/bS3fxzhrHN
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins)
October 24, 2018 Joining Crosby in the top ten is Evgeni Malkin.
ESPN notes that “it’s fascinating, and a bit depressing, to think Malkin could be higher on this ranking were it not for injuries.” Despite the injuries, here’s why ESPN has Malkin as the sixth best player in the NHL during the 2010's:
"The Penguins star was third in the decade in points-per-game average (1.15) and ninth in goals scored (284). His 50-goal, 109-point campaign in 2011-12 is as good as you'll find in the decade. He led the Penguins with 28 points in 25 playoff games during their second Cup of the decade.”
Adding to his list of accomplishments, Malkin scored his 400th goal on Tuesday, joining Lemieux, Crosby, and Jaromir Jagr as the only players in franchise history to score 400.
With his 400th goal, Evgeni Malkin joins Mario Lemieux (690), Sidney Crosby (451), and Jaromir Jagr (439) as the only players in franchise history to score 400.Congratulations @emalkin71geno! pic.twitter.com/DGO8HCnL8a
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins)
December 18, 2019 Kris Letang also joined the list, coming in at #23.
“Few players have as many cheerleaders in the traditional and fancy stats communities,” ESPN writes. “Letang is third among defensemen with a 0.73 points-per-game average this decade. He's also third in shot attempt differential for the decade and tied for eighth in goals above average per 60 minutes (0.38). An elite puck-moving defenseman who has excelled with a variety of partners. Health was an issue, which is one reason he had only one Norris Trophy nomination.
Kris Letang is now the franchise leader in points scored by a defenseman (98G-343A-441PTS). Hall-of-Fame defender Paul Coffey held this record for 27 years.Letang is rewriting the record book: https://t.co/AvJB9nmSJa pic.twitter.com/JjpugQn6g1
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins)
October 7, 2018 Joining Sid, Malkin, and Letang on the list are former Pens players Phil Kessel (#38), Marc-Andre Fleury (#42), Marian Hossa (#67), Jarome Iginla (#70), and Jaromir Jagr (#98).
