Ageless Wonder: Active NHLers still consider Sidney Crosby among the best

I don't think some people quite understand how amazing Sidney Crosby is. Even Penguins fans. Sometimes I have to check myself occasionally and say, "This guy really is the greatest hockey player of not only his generation, but the one after."

Consider the fact that he's been given this award in all but two years of his thirties and six straight years as he only gets older, mind you.

The only other player to receive a smattering of votes in his thirties this year was Anze Kopitar, who is certainly one of the more underrated stars in the game, but he's no Sidney Crosby.

The Philosophy of the Complete Player

The idea of "most complete player" has to do with well-roundedness. Skating ability, stick handling, defense, hockey IQ, scoring ability, passing, among other aspects - the 200 foot game is what makes a player complete.

You can ask a twofold question about Sidney Crosby:

What can't he do? And, what can he do that nobody else can?

It's evidenced in the fact that Crosby didn't just receive the most votes for most complete player, but he also won two other votes that supplement such a fact.

How often have we seen Sid see a play before it happens and preemtively act accordingly? I mean, just look at any number of his many assists and you'll see it on display.

Smarts are such an underappreciated aspect of sport, and I can always appreciate a smart athlete. You can succeed with brawn, but I believe the best athletes succeed much more with brain.

Think about Crosby's build for a moment. He's only 5'11", and while he's a sturdy 200lbs, he's outmanned by a lot of players in the league. Yet, his understanding of the game allows him to outclass players bigger, faster, and stronger than him with regularity.

Puck protection is one of Sid's many great attributes, and this one clip shows you everything you need to know about how smart Sidney Crosby is.

Unsurprisingly, this is not the only time he's done this.

There isn't a single iota of movement Sidney Crosby does that isn't calculated. Everything he does down to the finest detail is derived by lightning fast processing and application of understanding.

The defender was in the parking lot by the time he got turned around, and by then the puck was in the back of his own net.

This is also what makes Sidney Crosby more valuable than a pure scorer like Alex Ovechkin (something I'll flesh out in larger detail soon). He makes his teammates better. Playing on a line with Sidney Crosby immediately puts you into the Art Ross conversation, if Sid doesn't win it himself.

Hockey IQ met with the generational skillset Crosby possesses is simply unfair, and that's why he's bound to be on the Mount Rushmore of the NHL by the time it's all said and done.

Underappreciated Aspect of Sid's Game

I told you he won two more votes, right? Well, this one shouldn't be much of a surprise either.

This one Sid won by a landslide. Makes sense to go with the guy who's won the most faceoffs in NHL history to be the guy you'd want taking one in a must-have situation.

And I think this somehow gets overlooked. When a broadcaster says "Penguins win the faceoff," that's a big deal. Puck possession is necessary for success, and when you have it is even more important.

Both offensive and defensive zone draws have grand implications. Win one in the offensive zone and you're in a position to score. In the defensive zone you alleviate the pressure of the other team scoring.

Crosby sometimes has games where he doesn't lose much more than a couple faceoffs over the course of the full 60 minutes. There was a game this season where he won 21 of 25 faceoffs. That's ridiculous!

Ultimately, the fact that Penguins fans get to continue watching Crosby play at such a high level late into his 30's is a privilege, and should be cherished.

When Crosby slows down (I should probably say "if" he slows down), we'll look back on the wondrous career he had and think, "How the heck did he do it for this long?"

He's done it for 20 years so far. Who's to say he won't do it for another 20?