Entering the league in 2005, expectations on Pittsburgh Penguins rookie sensation Sidney Crosby were enormous. As the consensus first-overall pick leading into the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Crosby was seen as the next face of the NHL. He was selected to the Pittsburgh Penguins and set to begin his career following a year-long lockout. This series will take a look at Sidney Crosby’s career, a retrospective look ahead of what may be his final three seasons in the NHL. Starting with his first season, fans were excited for hockey to be back, and the stage was set for an incredible rookie season. Even with seemingly insurmountable expectations, Crosby would find a way to exceed what was anticipated.
The Rookie Campaign: Sidney Crosby Exceeds Expectations
Sidney Crosby began his NHL career on October 5th, 2005. Although the Penguins were a struggling franchise, Crosby’s skill was a highlight throughout the season. He quickly established himself as an elite playmaker, with a blend of vision and hockey intelligence that was incredibly rare for a rookie. Crosby would notch an assist in his first NHL game.
Crosby ended the season having scored 102 points in 81 games. With this achievement, Crosby would become the youngest player in NHL history to score 100 points in a season. Additionally, Crosby’s 63 assists were the most in franchise history by a rookie, surpassing Mario Lemieux’s previously set record (57). Even more impressively, Crosby would finish the season ranked sixth league-wide in points.
Challenges Moving Forward
Crosby’s rookie season had its challenges. The Penguins struggled even with the teenage phenom. They finished the season last in the East, with a 22-46-14 record. This would introduce Crosby to adversity early on while under the leadership of players like Lemieux. Even through a difficult season, Crosby quickly established himself as the Penguin’s Most Valuable Player going forward, giving fans a reason to be excited for the future.
Sidney Crosby’s rookie season also highlighted his competitive fire. He was often targeted by opposing players and would be subject to torment on the ice. However, Crosby wouldn’t back down. Even as a rookie, he would fight back and became an easy target for the opposition to pester. His frustrations would often get the best of him, as he finished his first season with over 100 penalty minutes. Fortunately, Crosby would eventually channel this competitive fire more appropriately.
Comparisons and the Beginning of a Legacy
Sidney Crosby’s expectations coming into the league were sky-high. Met with comparisons to generational talents such as Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky, Crosby’s first season did not disappoint. His 102-point season stands as the fifth-best in scoring by a rookie in NHL history. Although Sidney Crosby did not win the Calder Trophy for best rookie, it was under extraordinary circumstances. Alex Ovechkin, a rookie, although 20 years old, would win the trophy with 106 points including 52 goals in the same season. Ovechkin and Crosby gained notoriety as two generational talents breaking into the league in the same season. Their Calder Trophy race, and close proximity as Ovechkin played for the rival Washington Capitals, intertwined the careers of these two talents right from year one.
By the end of Sidney Crosby’s first season, he had already cemented himself as a cornerstone of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Furthermore, being a Canadian talent playing under the wing of Mario Lemieux made Crosby a household face of the NHL right away. His dynamic play gave a struggling organization and its fanbase hope for the future. Instead of the threats of relocation, fans could look forward to seeing this new generational talent grow in Pittsburgh.
A Glimpse into the Future
Sidney Crosby’s arrival into the NHL marked a pivotal shift in the league. Emerging from a long lockout, the NHL was in desperate need of positive attention and marketable stars. Sidney Crosby, alongside players like Alex Ovechkin, represented hope for the future. Crosby’s rookie season was tumultuous. Although he had scored over 100 points, he had also accumulated over 100 penalty minutes. His team, the Penguins, still fell to last in their conference and second-last in the league. There was still more work to be done, and with players like Evgeni Malkin waiting in the wings, Crosby would not have to wait too long for support.
Sidney Crosby’s rookie season provided a glimpse of the excellence yet to come. His brilliance was clear from his first game, setting the stage for an illustrious career for one of the best players to ever play the game of hockey.
Main Photo Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
