The better career: Crosby or Ovechkin?

[SeanMoneyHands]

When it's all said and done, who will go down as having the better career?

Sid:

3 cups
4 nation's gold



Ovy:

All time leader in goals in NHL history. A record that will likely never be broken.
1 cup

 

[TheLegend27]

are you trying to make Daver’s and Midnight Judges day busier?.

 

[Colezuki]

As a team fan you’d say Sid, he won championships like no other in a generation as a fan of the player you’d likely pick ovi, ex Canadians who will pick Sid because he was there in so many big moments

I think fondly both sides will look back and be happy we got to watch both

 

[centipede2233]

Crosby international resume destroys ovie’s and that’s why you could never ever have ovie ahead of Sid.

 

[centipede2233]

Crosby international resume destroys ovie’s and that’s why you could never ever have ovie ahead of Sid.

A prime ovie and malkin couldn’t even get Russia to medal in 2010 or 2014.

 

[Bouboumaster]

I don't want to take anything from Ovechkin, since hes a living legend in his own right, and the sole fact that he's even compared to Crosby is a honor that only he has

But it's a real easy answer: it's Crosby

More points in less games, more cups, arguably the best international hockey player ever and the proud owner of the Golden Goal, the second most important goal ever behind Henderson's
Crosby was the face of the NHL for over 15 years

 

[Turin]

In their 20 years in the league so far Ovechkin was arguably a better hockey player than Crosby for about 4 seasons. Ovechkin has had an amazing longevity as a shooter, a very strong early peak and he’s an all time great player but after his 25 year old season he was never in conversation for best player in the world.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

This screams Rocket Richard vs Jean Beliveau

I thought the Alltime goal record might've given OV the edge, till I realised Sid might end up 4th Alltime in points.

20 years from now, the kids are gonna look at these stats, and all of us geezers telling them the nuances of different seasons high and low.

 

[Acallabeth]

I think Ovechkin's personal legacy is greater than Crosby's: the goals record and claim to the title of best goal scorer overall is really unique.
Crosby's teams' success has of course been greater, particularly on an internetional stage.

Ovechkin has had an amazing longevity as a shooter, a very strong early peak and he’s an all time great player but after his 25 year old season he was never in conversation for best player in the world.

Ovechkin won a Hart at 27 and was a runner-up at 29. Hart isn't technically the 'best player in the world award', but to say that AO was never in a conversation when he was voted the most valuable skater twice is factually incorrect.

 

[GlitchMarner]

In their 20 years in the league so far Ovechkin was arguably a better hockey player than Crosby for about 4 seasons. Ovechkin has had an amazing longevity as a shooter, a very strong early peak and he’s an all time great player but after his 25 year old season he was never in conversation for best player in the world.

It's asking about better career, though. I agree Crosby's been the better player. He's been more consistent since 2010.

People judge careers differently. If you just look at things like awards won, historical significance etc and give no credit for games missed (Crosby lost a lot of time during his peak), you can make a case for Ovechkin.

But Crosby does have all those PPG seasons, numerous deep playoffs runs and three SCs.

 

[bobholly39]

Crosby.

But I have to say Ovechkin has been extremely impressive past few years. I don't think it'll be enough to top Crosby, but it's enough to consider raising him a couple of spots vs where I ranked him in all-time standing ~3-4 years ago for me. Here are things I think are very impressive from Ovechkin lately:

1. After 2021 (24 goals, some injury) - you figured he's 36, finally slowing down....nope, pots 50 goals following year

2. After 2024 - (31 goals, age 38) - you figured he's 38, finally slowing down....nope, 35 goals so far this year, pace of 53 over 82 (#2 in NHL).

3. ~6-7 years ago, majority of hockey world realized is was likely inevitable Ovechkin would break Gretzky's record. But - majority of people figured he'd slow down with age, and hang on long enough to have seasons of ~20-25 goals in his mid 40s till he broke it....nope. On pace for 50+ again this year, he hasn't slowed down. He's going to beat the record while still going very strong, which is significant

4. In 2021-22 season, ~mid-way through the season, he was leading the league in Ross/Hart race at age 36, above McDavid/Drai. He did slow down in 2nd half (but had hoisted Caps firmly into playoff spot, so it didn't impact team in standings), but a terrific start to season.

5. In 2023-2024 - Capitals were dead in the water, out of playoff position, big sellers at trade deadline and Ovechkin having his worst season of his career....and then he flipped a switch, and ended the season really strong, and against all odds led his team to final playoff spot. Before all-star break, he had 9 goals in 44 games (pace of 17 in 82). After all-star game, he went on a run of 22 goals in 35 games (pace of 52 goals in 82).

All that to say - Ovechkin from ages 36-39 has been extremely impressive, and it adds to his all-time resume.

But - I'm very high on Crosby, who I have #5 all-time, so he's going to stay ahead.

 

[TageGod]

Crosby is the best player of the post-lockout era, and it isn't really close.

 

[Coffee]

Crosby is the best player of the post-lockout era, and it isn't really close.

Is Patrick Kane #5?

 

[Toby91ca]

It's asking about better career, though. I agree Crosby's been the better player. He's been more consistent since 2010.

People judge careers differently. If you just look at things like awards won, historical significance etc and give no credit for games missed (Crosby lost a lot of time during his peak), you can make a case for Ovechkin.

But Crosby does have all those PPG seasons, numerous deep playoffs runs and three SCs.

I suppose you can differentiate between better player and better career, but it’s probably an even easier decision about better career in Crosby’s favour.

 

[gtrower]

The argument for “better overall player” is one that’s been debated for 2 decades but even the most staunch Ovi fans will concede that Crosby’s defensive game (outside of the last 5ish seasons) separates him in this debate and lost production due to injuries is a big factor in his resume.

But that’s not what this threads about. When measuring a career you only care about what happened. Lost time do to injuries doesn’t matter anymore. It’s what did you do. And Ovi’s individual trophy case is just undeniably better than Crosby’s by any measure. The only thing keeping Crosby in this specific conversation is 3 cups playing alongside several other HOFers and international success playing on stacked teams.

But the real reason the answer is Ovi is because perceptions of careers change over time. And perceptions of Ovi are going to age like fine wine.

895+ will be an immortal number. The legacy of that number alone will just grow and grow over time. The Great One is about a week away from following Ovi around the country so he can join him mid-game to celebrate immortality.

Ovi’s name will be plastered on every scoring metric put up on a screen for the next few generations at least. Goals, Rockets, PPGs, GWGs, 30+ goal seasons, goals with one franchise, etc. It’s going to be hard to put something up without him on top of it. There going to have to make a category of stats for “since #8 retired.”

Arguably the best highlight reel goal of all time. His cup raise is iconic. Hell even his Cup celebration lives on. So many moments that will just gain power over time. 20-30 years from now I don’t think this will be much of a debate.

 

[895]

How did you get the idea to compare these two players? Intriguing poll

 

[TageGod]

Is Patrick Kane #5?

My initial thought was Crosby Kane and Ovi. Maybe we get into the Thornton's but he was around pre-lockout for a while.

 

[Coffee]

My initial thought was Crosby Kane and Ovi. Maybe we get into the Thornton's but he was around pre-lockout for a while.

Crosby, Kane, Ovi, Malkin and McDavid ?

 

[authentic]

I suppose you can differentiate between better player and better career, but it’s probably an even easier decision about better career in Crosby’s favour.

Crosby is both, but Ovechkin from 2007-10 was a force. Crosby at his peak was on that level but for shorter periods, but beginning at the age of 18 and including his 2006-07 season he was a better player than Ovechkin who was 2 years older, and still was right there with him in points per game for 2 seasons of Ovechkin’s 3 year peak. After that it was Crosby clearly for a while, but beyond the durability of Ovechkin and including playoffs (not just team success but their individual play over a sustained period) I don’t see how Crosby doesn’t get the nod for better player.

 

[tfwnogf]

Ovechkin with ease. Beats a gretzky record, more durable, wins the first cup for Washington ever, list of personal trophies is superior, and the legacy of the best goal scorer ever is cooler than a really good Canadian center with 3 cups (not unique). In the history books 50 years from now, Ovechkin will be more widely known and talked about. AINEC.

 

[filinski77]

In their 20 years in the league so far Ovechkin was arguably a better hockey player than Crosby for about 4 seasons. Ovechkin has had an amazing longevity as a shooter, a very strong early peak and he’s an all time great player but after his 25 year old season he was never in conversation for best player in the world.

2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022

If you want to add "had a better season even if Crosby was the better player", tack on 2011, 2012, 2013

 

[filinski77]

Crosby international resume destroys ovie’s and that’s why you could never ever have ovie ahead of Sid.

arguably the best international hockey player ever

Once again people looking at one single goal, and/or the success of the greatest hockey nation overall to boost Crosby as if he was actually ever as dominant at the international stage as he was at the NHL stage.

Fun fact: Between Crosby and Ovechkin - only Ovechkin has ever made an Olympic all-star team. The reality is, if Crosby was Russian and Ovechkin was Canadian, there would most likely be no change in the international success of either Russia or Canada.

Analysis:
Crosby wins a ton at the international stage - but the question of this is how much of that winning is due to him vs. his team being juggernaut Team Canada.

Crosby is one of the best players of all-time, and is a decorated player at the international level. BUT - he is nowhere near one of the best international players of all-time. You can comfortably say he has never been a top-2 player on his own team at any true best-on best.

True best-on-bests:
2004 WJC Silver: Young, but still not one of the top players on the team
2005 WJC Gold: Anywhere from 3rd to 5th best player on Canada
2010 Olympics Gold: At best Canada's 5th best player
2014 Olympics Gold: At best Canada's 4th best player

Other Tournaments:
2006 World Championships: Best player on Canada
2015 World Championships Gold: At best Canada's 4th best player
2017 World Cup Gold: Best player on Canada
2025 4-Nations Gold: At best 4th best player on Canada

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Crosby is top 5 all time

 

[Bouboumaster]

Once again people looking at one single goal, and/or the success of the greatest hockey nation overall to boost Crosby as if he was actually ever as dominant at the international stage as he was at the NHL stage.

Fun fact: Between Crosby and Ovechkin - only Ovechkin has ever made an Olympic all-star team. The reality is, if Crosby was Russian and Ovechkin was Canadian, there would most likely be no change in the international success of either Russia or Canada.

Analysis:
Crosby wins a ton at the international stage - but the question of this is how much of that winning is due to him vs. his team being juggernaut Team Canada.

Crosby is one of the best players of all-time, and is a decorated player at the international level. BUT - he is nowhere near one of the best international players of all-time. You can comfortably say he has never been a top-2 player on his own team at any true best-on best.

True best-on-bests:
2004 WJC Silver: Young, but still not one of the top players on the team
2005 WJC Gold: Anywhere from 3rd to 5th best player on Canada
2010 Olympics Gold: At best Canada's 5th best player
2014 Olympics Gold: At best Canada's 4th best player

Other Tournaments:
2006 World Championships: Best player on Canada
2015 World Championships Gold: At best Canada's 4th best player
2017 World Cup Gold: Best player on Canada
2025 4-Nations Gold: At best 4th best player on Canada

Team Canada is Indeed a juggernaut, but the most effective player on this team was Crosby

Who was better than him in 2010 and 2014?

 

[Turin]

2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022

If you want to add "had a better season even if Crosby was the better player", tack on 2011, 2012, 2013

Lmao. Ovechkin was not a better hockey player in any season after 2010.