Sidney Crosby, More Penguins Rank In ESPN’s Top 25 Since 2000

The last two decades have been special for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Since 2000, the Penguins have won the Stanley Cup three times as the National Hockey League champions — winning in 2009 and back-to-back seasons in 2016 and 2017.

ESPN has been releasing top 25 lists for each sport since 2000, with the latest being the NHL. After placing as the highest hockey player on the top 100 athletes list since 2000, Sidney Crosby comes in as the top NHL player in the 21st century.

Throughout his 19-year career, Crosby has won three Stanley Cups while being a two-time Hart Trophy winner, two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner, two-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and is an eight-time All-Star. The Penguins captain has also won two gold medals as part of Team Canada.

With so many great teams since 2000, Crosby isn’t the only current or former Penguins player to make the list. Evgeni Malkin, who won the 2011-12 Hart Trophy, ranked ninth on the list. Erik Karlsson landed at No. 16 on the list and was the third overall defenseman to make it.

Former Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury placed 18th on the list as well. The Penguins selected Fleuary with the first overall pick in the 2003 NHL Draft. He went on to win three Stanley Cup championships with Pittsburgh while adding a Vezina Trophy win in 2021 as part of the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Penguins were well-represented for good reason. Crosby and Pittsburgh will try to add a fourth Stanley Cup in the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.

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