The early goings of the 2016-17 NHL season have given us some brilliant moments from the wave of star players. Auston Matthews had a four goal debut, Connor McDavid is electric just about every shift he takes, Patrick Laine can score from anywhere, Zach Werenski is a point per game player for Columbus, and Travis Konecny has a 3.44 5v5 points per 60. The sport seems to be in great hands moving forward.
However, the biggest star in the league isn't ready to give up the mantle of being the best player on the planet. Sidney Crosby is out of control again. He is producing offense with ease, dominating possession, and driving scoring chances. He has only played in five games so far this season and already has six goals (including the two from last night). That is one off of the league lead (7) which is shared by Artem Anisimov and Steven Stamkos.
So far in this young season this is what Crosby's sample size looks like
Crosby has figured in on 42.1% (8 of 19) of Pittsburgh’s goals in games that he's played in this season. pic.twitter.com/Km1l9aqkdS
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 4, 2016
Total domination. It is only a five game sample and offensive output will eventually regress, but if you take a look at a larger sample the results are encouraging and point to Crosby having a Hart caliber season in 2016-17.
The biggest thing that has happened to Crosby has been the coaching change. He has been on fire since the change. In 57 regular season games under Mike Sullivan he has 36 goals and 74 points. Over 82 games that is a 51 goal and 106 point pace. He is consistently generating offense under Sullivan.
Sidney Crosby has recorded points in 25 of his last 26 regular season games (17G-20A). 🔥🔥
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 4, 2016
There aren't too many blanks on there.
Sidney Crosby has also mixed in his second Stanley Cup and his first Conn Smythe Trophy under Sullivan as well.
Aging impacts every player and Sidney Crosby will be no exception. Although Sid is almost scoring at the same rate he did during the Bylsma era which should be considered his statistical prime.
Anything above 2.0 is considered top line production. Under Bylsma and Sullivan Crosby is on another level. Even when Mike Johnston snuffed the life out of Crosby he was still producing among the game's best players. Nothing points to Crosby slowing down at the age of 29. The style of play and the quality of roster is only going to help Crosby continue to dominate.
One change this year that can help boost Crosby's offense even more has occured on the man advantage. Mike Sullivan has moved Crosby off of the half wall he has inhabited for many years and now Sid finds himself closer to the goal line area. This is paying huge dividends not only for the Penguins power play but for Sidney Crosby himself. Few players are as good as he is around the goal cage and now Mike Sullivan has positioned Crosby to be near there more often. It allows Crosby more attempts at tipping pucks, screening the goalie, winning rebound battles, retrieving pucks in the corner, finding passing lanes from down low and keeping plays alive. This plays to Crosby's strengths.
There was also a change at even-strength. It remains to be seen if this change will stick, but if Mike Sullivan sticks with the Hagelin-Crosby-Hornqvist line we will probably continue to see astronomical numbers from the Penguins captain.
The young players in the NHL have been impressive this year, but the time for Sidney Crosby to be dethroned as the best hockey player on Planet Earth has yet to come.
Thanks for reading!