Aaron Crouse - "The Next One"???

There is a constant debate amongst NBA analysts regarding whether LeBron James or Michael Jordan will be seen as the better player in the eyes of history.  While many of us have heard these arguments countless times (more than we would have liked to), the same debate can be made in the NHL between Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky.  Using the criteria that most NBA critics use of individual statistics, supporting cast, and overall public image and influence I have compared Gretzky and Crosby to determine whether or not Sidney Crosby could truly be “The Next One”.

Individual statistics

During his 20-year NHL career, Wayne Gretzky played in 1,487 regular –season games recording 894 goals, 1,963 assists and 2,857 points (all NHL records).  He holds the records for goals in a season (92), assists in a season (163) and points in a season (215).  Additionally, he played in 208 playoff games recording 122 goals and 260 assists for 382 points.  “The Great One” captured 9 Heart Trophies (league MVP), 10 Art Ross Trophies (most points), five Lady Byng Trophies, five Lester B. Pearson Awards, and two Conn Smythe Trophies (playoff MVP).  In total, he holds over 40 regular-season records, 15 playoff records, and six All-Star records.  Gretzky won the Stanley Cup 4 times (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988) each of them coming with the Edmonton Oilers although he twice lost in the finals.  Internationally, Gretzky won 3 gold, 2 silvers, and 2 bronze medals playing in the World Cup, Canada Cup, and World Junior Championships but never medals at an Olympic event.

Throughout his 7-year NHL Career, Sidney Crosby has played in 434 games registering 223 goals, 386 assists and 609 points.  He has also participated in 68 playoff games and accumulated 33 goals and 57 assists for 90 points.  Crosby has won 1 Hart Trophy and 1 Art Ross Trophy.  Crosby has captured 1 Stanley Cup championship (2009) in two total appearances.  Internationally, Crosby lead Canada to a Gold Medal at the 2010 games located in Vancouver by scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat the United States (his “signature” moment to date).

Verdict: Gretzky by a mile (except for international play).

Supporting Cast

All through his illustrious career, Wayne Gretzky was fortunate to play along side some other legends in NHL history (though he played a major part in helping to boost their stats).  During his time with the Edmonton Oilers, Gretzky played with Hall of Famers Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Jari Kurri, and Paul Coffey (along with goaltender Grant Fuhr).  Together, this group captured all of Gretzky’s four Stanley Cup Championships.  With the Los Angeles Kings, he played alongside another group of current and future Hall of Famers including Luc Robitaille, Bernie Nicholls, and Rob Blake.  In St. Louis Gretzky teamed up with Brett Hull and Al MacInnis and later joined the New York Rangers to play with Mark Messier (again), Adam Graves, and Brian Leetch.

During his brief time in the NHL, Sidney Crosby has been privileged to play with the great Mario Lemieux and top draft picks including Jordan Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury (goaltender), James Neal, and 2011 MVP Evgeni Malkin.  However, a constant theme throughout his time in the NHL has been Pittsburgh’s inability to find the “perfect” wingers to play alongside Crosby.  With the rule changes that the NHL has gone through in limiting obstruction plays and offense in general, it would be nearly impossible for Crosby to post the type of stats Gretzky did regardless of the surrounding talent.

Verdict: Gretzky’s 1980s high-flying Oilers teams and many of his future NHL stops allowed him to be surrounded by greater talent that Crosby’s current Pittsburgh team.

Public Image:

The list of Wayne Gretzky’s endorsements is second to only Michael Jordan (and possible Peyton Manning) in terms of athletes.  It includes Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi-Cola Canada, McDonald's Canada, JVC, McFarlane Toys, Wayne Gretzky clothing line at Hudson's Bay Co., Ford, Wayne Gretzky's Restaurant, Toronto, Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey (video game), NBC cartoon "Prostars", Head and Shoulders Shampoo, Bud Light, Imperial Oil, and EA Sports.  In a 2004 series launched by the CBC, Gretzky was tabbed as the 10^th greatest Canadian of all-time (the 2^nd highest rated athlete behind Terry Fox).  His only public downfalls were the trade that sent him along with Marty McSorley and Mike Krushelnyski, to the Los Angeles Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, $15 million in cash, and the Kings' first-round draft picks in 1989, 1991 and 1993 and his failure as the coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.  "The Trade" upset Canadians to the extent that New Democratic Party House Leaders demanded that the government block it.  Gretzky was considered a "traitor" by many Canadians for turning his back on his country and Edmonton as the trade was widely rumored to be largely linked to his wife’s career as an actress, although he did receive a standing ovation upon his first return to Edmonton as a member of the Kings.

Sidney Crosby has endorsement deals with Reebok (largest endorsement deal in NHL history at $10 over 7 years), Tim Horton’s, Bell Canada/Verizon USA, Frito Lay, and Gatorade. While some hockey fans have called him “Sid the Kid” or “The next one”, others have deemed him “Crysby”, “Cindy Crosby”, and “Cry Baby”.  These terms are a reference to his perceived tendency to complain to refs about hits against him and the belief that he “dives” to draw penalties.  During the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons, Crosby missed a total of 101 games due to concussion-like symptoms stemming from a soft neck tissue injury.  Many fans questioned his toughness at this time and a few wondered if he would ever be cleared for game action again.  However, he eventually returned and started right where he had left off, earning him a 12-year $104 million extension after the 2012 season.

Verdict: Gretzky is regarded as the more respected, influential figure.

At this time, there seems to be strong similarities between Gretzky and Jordan and James and Crosby.  Like Michael Jordan, Gretzky has the edge in individual accomplishments, statistics, championships, and endorsements.  It can also be argued that he played on better teams for the majority of his career.  The trade of Gretzky can be compared to Jordan attempting baseball or signing with the Wizards, and both of these historic players made terrible coaches and GMs/owners.  Like LeBron James, Crosby was drafted with the burden of hype that would be nearly impossible for any 18-year old to live up to.  Both have been perennial all stars, put up great individual numbers, and captured a championship and gold medal already as well.  As people question LeBron’s “clutch” abilities so too do they question Crosby’s toughness.  Clearly Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan currently stand in a class by themselves as figures for the NBA and NHL respectively.  However, it is not out of the question that within the next 10-15 years, LeBron James or Sidney Crosby could surpass them.  There are several circumstantial differences in the era that these athletes played in that will always lead to debate and questioning.  Regardless of what side you take, the one thing that is certain is that when a fan has the privilege to watch any of these four athletes, they were watching something special.