Sidney Crosby once again surpassed the sky-high expectations set on him in his second season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. After an incredible rookie season, the 2006-2007 season was Crosby’s chance to establish himself as a top-tier player in the league. His performance did not disappoint. The Pittsburgh Penguins were beginning to exit their rebuild. Crosby was quickly surrounded by other top draft talent in the organization. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and centres Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, chosen 1st, 2nd, and 2nd overall in the years around Crosby’s draft respectively, would begin making their own mark in the league.
Sophomore Season: Another Dominant Performance
Sidney Crosby’s second NHL season was spectacular. Following a rookie season in which he scored 102 points, Crosby would outdo himself in his second year. He scored 36 goals and 84 assists for 120 points in 79 games. This incredible performance placed the young star first in the league for points ahead of veteran talent like Joe Thornton and Vincent Lecavalier. His Art Ross Trophy-winning season would also earn Crosby the honour of being the youngest player in NHL history to win the award.
Crosby’s 84 assists were also the highest in the NHL, establishing him as the top playmaker in the league. Crucially for team success, Crosby would begin building chemistry with rookie Evgeni Malkin. Malkin’s first season would see him score 85 points including 33 goals. The development of Evgeni Malkin would provide the Penguins with a strong 2C option capable of filling in for Sidney Crosby if needed.
Growing as a Leader
Offensive production wasn’t the only thing Crosby excelled in during his second season. He also gained maturity and grew as a player. During his rookie season, Crosby would often let his frustrations get the better of him. This was often stemming from an intense competitive streak that would lead to the star lashing out at opposing pests. This led to over 100 penalty minutes over the course of his first season. In 2006-2007, Crosby displayed a more calm and composed game, as his penalty minutes dropped to 60. However, he would keep his competitive fire, and would begin learning how to play in the tougher areas without losing his calm.
The Penguins, still coming out of their rebuild, significantly improved their record from the 2005-2006 season. With a 47-24-11 record, the organization finished fifth in the Eastern Conference. With Sidney Crosby at the heart of this turnaround, the youngest Art-Ross Trophy winner in NHL history would set another record. In May 2007, Crosby was given the title of captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins. As Crosby was just 19 at this time, he became the youngest captain in NHL history at the time.
A Short Playoff Experience, But a Valuable Lesson
Following a rebuild lasting over half a decade, the Penguins returned to the playoffs in 2007. Although the Penguins would fall to the Ottawa Senators in five games, this experience was invaluable for Crosby and the rest of the young Penguins group. Crosby himself had a strong first playoff series, scoring five points in five games. Although the team had an early exit, the 2006-2007 season highlighted that a new era had begun in Pittsburgh.
Comparisons and Legacy
Sidney Crosby’s sophomore season continued his comparisons to hockey’s greatest players like Wayne Gretzky and the Penguins own Mario Lemieux. His Art Ross Trophy win, especially at such a young age meant that he had a case for the best player in the league in just his second season. Additionally, being awarded the captaincy at such a young age reminded fans of Mario Lemieux. He was given the captaincy in his third season with the team.
Additionally, Crosby’s rivalry from the previous season with Alex Ovechkin only grew. Ovechkin continued to develop into a superstar known for his scoring prowess. His proximity with Crosby, playing for the division rival Washington Capitals, continued to build the rivalry between the two.
A Glimpse into Sidney Crosby’s Future With the Penguins
The 2006-2007 season was as great of a sequel to Sidney Crosby’s rookie season as could have been imagined. His first season saw him accomplish a lot personally but with the team around him struggling. Crosby’s second season, however, saw him blend personal and team accolades. His 120-point season saw him win the Art Ross Trophy. Meanwhile, leading the Penguins to the playoffs while demonstrating growth as a player led to team success and him being crowned captain of the Penguins.
Although there was much work to be done, this season was a turning point for the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. A new era began when Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Fleury and even Kris Letang all began playing together in this year. The organization would have a lot of success with this core soon, with the 2006-2007 season laying the foundation for it. Sidney Crosby’s contributions, stepping into the role of leader, would place the franchise in good hands for decades to come.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
