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NHL Draft: Top 10 Number One Draft Picks of All-Time

By Matt Duscharme

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Sidney Crosby, 2005

Crosby has achieved everything imaginable in every level of hockey. 1 World Junior Championship Silver Medal, 1 QMJHL Championship, 1 World Junior Championship U-20 Gold Medal, 2 Olympic Gold Medals, 1 World Championship Gold Medal, 1 World Cup Gold Medal and 2 Stanley Cups. He’s also a member of the historic “triple gold club” that only 27 other people are a part of.

November 3, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) before playing against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 3, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) before playing against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

At the age of 19, Crosby became the youngest player to win the Hart Trophy since Wayne Gretzky did it back in 1980. During his first pro year Sidney became the youngest player to reach a 100 point season, and in his second year he tallied up 120 points for his first Art Ross trophy win as well as taking home the Hart Trophy too.

Crosby currently has 344 goals, 602 assists, and 946 points in 712 games played out of a possible 868. Which means he has missed 156 games due to injury, that’s almost two full seasons. Now with his career points per game average sitting currently at 1.33, if he was healthy every season he would be well over the 1,200 point mark by now. Let’s not forget that “Sid” is only 29 years old, with roughly 8-10 years left in him.

This season Crosby missed the first 6 games of the year, but has stormed back to post 8 points in 5 games so far. He’s on pace for 121 points in 76 games, that’s if he can stay healthy and his production rate stays consistent. Crosby will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest players to ever play the game, but where he will finish on that final ranking is still a mystery. Don’t count him out he’s literally capable of doing anything he wants.

Pittsburgh definitely got what they wanted when they selected him first overall in 2005. But they have a rich history of drafting top-tier talent, or at least getting themselves in a position to do so.

Will another appear on this list? You’ll just have to keep reading to find out!

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