Crosby has a total of 1,925 points (716 goals, 1,209 assists) in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs, the most for the Penguins ahead of Lemieux (1,895 points; 766 goals, 1,129 assists). He is seventh all-time, trailing Gretzky (3,237), Messier (2,181), Jagr (2,122), Howe (2,010), Ron Francis (1,941) and Steve Yzerman (1,940).

“That just goes to show you what he’s meant to this team, to this organization, to the city, to the fans, to the team, to kind of everybody,” said Rust, often a linemate of Crosby’s. “How good he’s been and how long he’s been that good. Those two guys (Crosby and Lemieux) are the peak of Penguins hockey, and I just think that solidifies it.”

Named to the 100 Greatest NHL Players in January 2017, Crosby has won the Stanley Cup three times. At age 21, he became the youngest captain of a championship team when Pittsburgh defeated the Detroit Red Wings in seven games in the 2009 Stanley Cup Final before winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2016 and 2017.

Crosby won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP and the Art Ross Trophy as the League’s points leader in 2006-07 and 2013-14, the Rocket Richard Trophy as goals leader in 2009-10 and 2016-17, and the Ted Lindsay Award as the most outstanding player as voted by the NHL Players’ Association in 2006-07, 2012-13 and 2013-14.

“I love the game,” Crosby told NHL.com on Oct. 22. “I love the history of the game, you know, the tradition side of it. I think that you go throughout the history of hockey, everyone had people they looked up to or people that they feel like made an impact in the game. So, to be associated that way, I think that means more than anything, for sure.”

The native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, earned recognition on Dec. 29, 2022, as an Officer of the Order of Canada “for being one of the greatest hockey players of all time and for supporting community service initiatives for youth.” The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest honors, recognizing people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions.

“I think when you’re in the position we’re in, you have a pretty good opportunity to help make a difference on and off the ice,” Crosby said. “So, I think those things you try to keep in mind and those have been, regardless of in the NHL or not, those are things that I think when you grow up playing for teams or you’re playing for your community, your local team, you still try to represent them well and you try to help your community and represent your community.

“So, I think when you get to the NHL, it’s on a much greater stage, but it’s the same thing. So, I think that’s all part of it.”

NHL.com independent correspondent Sean Farrell contributed to this report