How do Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid compare all-time?: Penguins mailbag

New York Times

12-06-2025

Good morning, everyone, and thank you for the wonderful array of questions, as always.
Hopefully you're enjoying the Stanley Cup Final and the U.S. Open, if you've got tickets. We'll start in that direction before moving to more Penguins-centric questions.
Part 2 of this mailbag is coming soon.
Away we go.
Do you think it's silly to root against McDavid to win a cup to keep him a peg below Sid? —@beancantfly
No, not really. I get it. If you're from Pittsburgh and/or a Penguins fan, you aren't just rooting for championships. You've had the privilege of watching some of the greatest players of all time, from Mario Lemieux to Jaromir Jagr to Sidney Crosby to Evgeni Malkin.
It's completely natural to get territorial and to want your guy to be considered the best. And if you're a Sid fan and are very prideful in him being the best player of this century, then I imagine you feel a bit threatened by Connor McDavid. Deep down, you know McDavid's overall talent probably exceeds Sid's. But then again, Lemieux was twice as talented as Gretzky, and most hockey experts like to say Gretzky is the greatest player of all time. I was so, so happy when the Canadiens beat the Kings in the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. I just didn't want Gretzky to get another one. Mind you, I was 13, but still, it's fair.
Advertisement
While McDavid might be more talented than Sid, the fact is, Sid's accomplishments in terms of winning utterly dwarf McDavid's. I believe the five greatest players who ever lived are Lemieux, Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Crosby and McDavid. I can't imagine anyone else cracking that top five, with all due respect to Gordie Howe, Jagr, Alex Ovechkin, Rocket Richard or whomever else you want to put on this list. You can make an argument for anyone in that top five. There's no right or wrong answer.
It's yet to be seen, but if McDavid wins the Cup this year, does he jump over Sid as an all-time great, or does it take more? How many Cups do you think McDavid wins before he retires? — @skiab94
Well, we're talking about public opinion now. Many people these days like to say, 'McDavid is the greatest player of all time!' And hey, maybe he is. He's remarkable. But I also think we fall into the trap of always wanting the person we're currently watching to be the greatest. There's no real joy in taking your son or daughter to a game and saying, 'Look at that, the eighth-greatest player who ever lived!'
We tend to forget how great Crosby was in his prime. His prime was cut terribly short because of concussions. But I suspect that McDavid will exceed him in the opinion of many if indeed he does win the Cup.
What was your favorite Stanley Cup Final series that did not involve the Penguins? — @cgibson724
Other than this one? Because this one has been insanely entertaining.
I'd probably say the 2015 series between Chicago and Boston. That was great stuff with a stunning ending.
Josh, how surprised were you that Dan Muse was the coaching choice? Where does it rank among surprise coaching and management hires in Penguins history? — @jlkaplan7
Oh, I was surprised, Jake. Many people in my line of work like to come across as knowing everything and refuse to act surprised as a result. But yeah, I was surprised.
Advertisement
I knew Muse was interviewed early on, so I guess it didn't come as a total shock. I never sensed he was a front runner and I was certainly not expecting him to be the choice.
Do you think one of Rust, Rakell, or Karlsson will be moved this offseason? Kyle Dubas acknowledged he's getting tons of calls on them. — @DustinDiGenio
Anything is in play with all three of them.
Of the three, I think the most likely to be dealt this summer is Karlsson. My guess is all three will be with the Penguins when next season begins but at least one will be dealt before the deadline.
I think Rust is the most likely to finish his contract in Pittsburgh. The Penguins could certainly receive plenty in return for him, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's a lifer. They really love him.
As for Rakell, he could go at some point. Interestingly, there wasn't the level of interest in him before the deadline that you would have expected.
I struggle with the segment of Pens fans who are dying to just make the playoffs. We rightly criticize the Steelers for their perpetual 10-7/9-8 records while never winning playoff games. Why not strive for a return to a Cup contender like KD wants? The Penguins should always shoot for cups — @nathan_lewy
Everyone has their opinion on this topic. Personally, I agree with Dubas' line of thinking. He's shooting big. He doesn't just want to be a wild-card team. I get it, and I like it. That's what I would do if I were the GM.
That said, nothing is much worse than a spring without playoff hockey.
Do you think that, with the new coaching staff, the Pens give Tristan Jarry and Ryan Graves 'one last chance' to get back to the level of play that won them those contracts? — @TheAndoman
I don't think they have any choice. No one is going to trade for them, and the Penguins don't want to buy them out.
Advertisement
It will be very interesting to see how Graves plays with a new set of eyes on him. Expectations will be disturbingly low, mind you, but it can't hurt to have some new coaches working with him.
For the last three seasons, the Pens have lost so many games while leading. I'm certain this was very frustrating to players and coaches. Do you believe Dubas thought Sully's methods had anything to do with this? This team had enough talent to get leads just couldn't hold them…. — @cooljerdoc
I have no doubt that the Penguins' defense has been troubling to Dubas since he took over two years ago. But I don't think he ever blamed Sullivan for it. I truly believe he thinks Sullivan is a great coach.
What do you think is the best path forward for the Penguins on goalie? Sit tight and hope someone develops? Ride out Jarry's contract then trade for a 1G? Draft more? — @Lemieux67
Sergei Murashov is the future. At least, that's what the Penguins are hoping for. He's probably one year away from being NHL-ready.
Playing Jarry heavily this season probably makes sense. As putrid as he was for most of the last season, he actually was the Penguins' best goalie and, to his credit, was good in the season's final month.
I think you play Jarry until Murashov is ready, and you hope Murashov is the guy. If he's not, worry about it at that point. A good goalie is often the last thing a hockey team needs. It's like a closer in baseball. You don't really need a great one until you're ready to win. The Penguins just aren't there yet.
Is Doc Emrick as awesome in real life as he was on the call? — @LetangCult
Oh yeah. One of the kindest people I've ever met.
In May 2020, I showed him a Pirates face mask that my girlfriend's aunt had made. She was selling them, and he asked me if he could have one. Naturally, I mailed him one and told him not to worry about the money.
Advertisement
A week later, I received $30 in cash in an envelope and a handwritten note on a PNC Park letterhead. Doesn't get any better than that. He's the epitome of class.
How do you go about acquiring reliable sources as a sports journalist who specifically covers a team? — @BigSaveEh
There's no direct answer to this one. Sometimes, when people start to learn who you are, they come to you with information. Sometimes, people want you to write nice things about them — assistant coaches who want to be head coaches are always great for this — so they'll give you information so that, in turn, you might write nice things about them. The ol' 'I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine' approach. (I absolutely hate this. It makes me feel dirty.)
In other cases, you just treat people well and get to know them over the years, and they'll help you out.
The best thing you can do is treat people with respect. Don't quote them when it's off the record. Use common sense. Check with them before you write something. Do that, and you'll be fine.
Wings: Bone-in or boneless and what flavor? — @KMarker14
Bone-in, and with conviction. Are they really wings if they aren't bone-in? And I like flats better than drumsticks.
I'm so boring and tame with sauces. The Big Sexy sauce (Mark Madden's trademark) at Big Shot Bob's is sensational. I like any kind of garlic parmesan as well. Or honey mustard. Anything but Cajun-y sauces. Not my thing.
Thanks for all the great questions. Another mailbag is on deck.
(Photo of Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)