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From Celebrini to McDavid: Crosby's Impact on Next-Gen Stars - and the Penguins
There is no denying the considerable impact that Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has had, not only on Pittsburgh but on Canadian-born players.
One of the draws for the Pittsburgh Penguins this year is not only to see longtime captain Sidney Crosby continue to put up big numbers even at 38, but to see Evgeni Malkin's potential last year in the NHL.
Additionally, Crosby will not only be leading the Penguins on the ice but will also be doing so for Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
Why Crosby's Mentorship Extends Far Beyond Team Canada
Not only has Crosby been the leader of the Penguins for almost 2 decades, but he's also been captain of Canada both in the Olympics, the IIHF World Championship, and in the 4 Nations Faceoff.
He's regarded as a Canadian hockey icon, especially after his thrilling "Golden Goal" to capture the gold for Canada in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
His example will be on full display for young Canadian players like Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard, both of whom will try and make the roster.
Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart, who will play for Canada, acknowledged Crosby's influence on Canadian hockey:
It's not lost on us, our generation. It doesn't look like the window's closing for him any time soon. He's a day-by-day kind of guy, focused on the now, and that's motivating for us.
Connor McDavid also spoke of Crosby's influence:
«What Sid means to me, I think that's been well-documented. For our generation, and for him to still be here and being the captain and still playing a massive role, it's special. It's special for all of us.
How the Penguins Can Leverage Their Captain's Lasting Influence
It's not a secret that Crosby's NHL career is beginning to wind down, as he's now 38 years old and won't be playing forever.
The good news for Pittsburgh, as they begin to turn the page from that era of hockey, is that young players on the team who will soon be shouldering more of the load can learn from one of the best players in NHL history in Crosby as they begin to establish themselves.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 4 | 27 ANSWERS From Celebrini to McDavid: Crosby's Impact on Next-Gen Stars - and the Penguins Is Sidney Crosby the top Canadian-born player of the modern NHL era? | ||
| Yes | 26 | 96.3 % |
| No | 1 | 3.7 % |
| List of polls | ||