Sunday December 3, 2023

Sidney Crosby Joins 500 Club, But Is He Worth $156M?

  • The Penguins captain became the 46th NHL player to reach the 500-goal milestone.
  • Injuries have kept Crosby from reaching truly stratospheric heights among the greats in the game.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

On Tuesday, Sidney Crosby scored his 500th career NHL goal in the Penguins’ 5-4 victory over the Flyers, becoming the 46th player to reach the milestone.

He’s a surefire Hall of Famer, but this latest achievement is deceptively underwhelming — he’s only the 25th-fastest to reach 500 (Wayne Gretzky did it in 575 games) — and injuries have kept him from reaching truly stratospheric heights.

Has the 2005 No. 1 pick truly justified the $156 million Pittsburgh will have committed to him by the time his current contract expires?

  • The 34-year-old has missed nearly 200 games in his 17-year career. 
  • Though his 871 assists are second-most among active players (Joe Thornton, 1,106), he ranks just 24th all time.
  • However, he ranks seventh in NHL history in points per game (1.273).
  • He was the seventh-fastest in league history to reach both 500 goals and 800 assists (1,077).

Those missed games have likely robbed Crosby of the chance to become just the second player behind Gretzky (2,857) to record 2,000-plus career points. He has three years remaining on the 12-year, $140.4 million contract extension he signed in 2012, at which point he’ll be 37.

With a resume that includes three Stanley Cup championships and two gold medals for Team Canada, Crosby is a generational talent and the face of the franchise — though Mario Lemieux remains the GOAT in Pittsburgh.  

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NHL Is Latest Pro League To Rethink Its All-Star Game

League joins NBA, NFL in looking to revamp midseason showcase.
A view of a game ball and the Bally Sports logo on the stanchion post before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Orlando Magic at the American Airlines Center.

Bankruptcy Judge Approves NBA, Bally Sports Deal, But It’s Complicated

The NHL has a similar deal, but MLB and SBG are balking.
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger and center Matt Duchene celebrate after the Stars defeat the St. Louis Blues in the overtime shootout period at the American Airlines Center.

The Dallas Stars Want to Be Part of NHL’s Mexico Movement

The NHL shortlisted Mexico City as a future host city.

Streaming Might Be The Future, But Over-The-Air Sports Aren't Going Away

Sports broadcasts are experiencing a major shift in how fans consume them.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

CFP Looking to Super Bowl for Media Rights Plan

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers

Ohtani's Future Deal Takes Center Stage As Winter Meetings Kick Off

The two-way phenom is expected to sign the largest-ever player contract in U.S. team sports.
November 30, 2023

Tracking Devices and Bags of Cash: A Soccer Scandal in Turkey

Former Atletico Madrid player Arda Turan is involved in the scandal.
Shaquille O'Neal
exclusive
December 1, 2023

A.I. Shaq? Authentic Files Trademarks Hinting at Virtual Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal and licensing group claim “ASK SHAQ” and “SHAQ A.I.”
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
November 30, 2023

Ronaldo Sued For $1B In Latest Fallout From Athlete Crypto Deals

Soccer superstar latest to be hit in legal fallout from crypto decline.
Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands celebrates his victory of the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
November 30, 2023

The 10 Highest-Paid Formula 1 Drivers For 2023

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen tops the list with $70 million.
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi smiles as he walks on the field against the New York Red Bulls during the second half at Red Bull Arena.
November 16, 2023

The Results of Messi Mania Are In

A million people per match tuned in for Messi and Inter Miami.
Rory McIlroy reacts to his putt on the third green during the third round of the TOUR Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club.
November 15, 2023

Rory McIlroy Resigns From PGA Tour Policy Board

The 34-year-old served on the Board for two years.