Crosby Comparison - He was only 16 (sing along)
I think it is difficult to compare offensive output from the Lemieux/Lafontaine junior era and in those days the Q did not know the meaning of the word "defence" as it was a run and gun league. Like the NHL, junior has seen the advent of sophisticated defensive systems which has stifled scoring compared to those days. Also the Quebec goalie factory is now in full swing and I was amazed to watch the two goalies in the game yesterday between Baie-Comeau and Rimouski. They handled pucks, played angles ,challenged shooters and butterflied as if they were seasoned pros.
Similarly the OHL was a much less systems/defensive oriented league when the Great One was starting out.
That said, Crosby appears further along than Mario at this stage in his career and pretty close to The Great One when comparing them at similar ages. He also plays with more of a physical edge than either of them and more like Lindros. Lafontaine was 18 months older when he was a rookie in the Q and set the CHL rookie scoring record.
Lemieux's first year with Laval was the 1981-82 season when he had just turned 16 similar to Crosby. His stats then:
64GP, 30G, 66A, 96PTS, 22PIM
Gretzky's stats as a 16 year old (seven months older than Crosby) when he played with the OHL Greyhounds:
64GP, 70G, 112A, 182PTS, 14PIM
Lindros' stats at 16 with the OHL Oshawa Generals whom he joined part way through the season after a battle with the OHL. He was 6 months older than Crosby:
25GP, 17G, 19A, 36PTS, 61PIM
When Lafontaine played his one year in the Q for Verdun in 1982-83 it was as a 17 year old and he was about 18 months older than Crosby.
70GP, 104G, 130A, 234PTS, 10PIM
Crosby:
49GP, 48G, 63A, 111PTS 60PIM
You can definitely see why Gretzky is touting him as the best player since Mario.