By the Numbers: The NHL in 2005 - Crosby's First Coaching Camp

It has been 20 years since Pittsburgh Penguin captain Sidney Crosby attended his first NHL coaching camp. Since then, Sid the Child has climbed to tenth place on the league’s all-time scoring listing whereas bringing the Stanley again to the Metal Metropolis on three events.

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Earlier this week, Crosby signed a two-year extension that runs out in 2027, simply months earlier than his fortieth birthday. Within the meantime, hockey followers get to look at a generational expertise attempt to win yet another championship and climb as excessive as he can on the scoring charts.

Related: Contract Extension Would Allow Crosby to Chase Rarely Discussed NHL Record

After 1,272 video games and 1,596 factors, it is fascinating to see the adjustments within the league since Crosby debuted in September 2005. Listed here are 10 fascinating NHL statistics from twenty years in the past.

1,701: Mario Lemieux, who would turn out to be Crosby’s boss, linemate, and roommate, had 1,701 factors earlier than the rookie’s first coaching camp. Sadly, he was compelled into retirement 26 video games into the 2005-06 marketing campaign, gathering solely 22 extra factors.

403: Martin Brodeur, the NHL’s all-time winningest goalie with 691 victories, solely reached 403 wins after the 2003-04 season. He would tack on one other 288 after the lockout and his retirement in 2015.

52: Earlier than Crosby’s rookie season, defenseman Dick Tärnström led the Penguins in scoring in 2003-04 with 52 factors in 80 video games. A 12 months later, Crosby would have practically doubled that whole, with 102 factors, as an 18-year-old.

44: The Mellon Area, previously the Civic Area, was 44 years outdated when Crosby attended his first coaching camp. Finally, the group procured the funds to construct PPG Paints Area (previously Consol Vitality Middle), which opened in 2010.

Related: 7 Fascinating Statistics About Sidney Crosby’s Career

40: Future Corridor of Famer Dominik Hasek, who defeated Crosby and the Penguins throughout his first Stanley Cup Closing look in 2008, was 40 firstly of the 2005-06 season.

30: When Crosby made his debut, there have been solely 30 groups within the NHL, with the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets thought-about the latest growth groups. Solely 12 years into his profession would the Vegas Golden Knights be a part of the league in 2017, adopted by the Seattle Kraken in 2021.

21: Marc-Andre Fleury made his NHL debut in the course of the 2003-04 season and received to play in 21 video games. Quick ahead twenty years later, and he is one in all 4 goalies to skate in 1,000 video games.

10. After the 2003-04 season, solely 10 gamers scored 1,500 factors in league historical past: Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Gordie Howe, Ron Francis, Marcel Dionne, Steve Yzerman, Lemieux, Phil Esposito, Ray Bourque, and Paul Coffey. In 2024, that listing now contains 16 names.

5: The Detroit Pink Wings had one of many league’s most threatening lineups, that includes 5 future Corridor of Famers, together with Pavel Datsyuk, Brendan Shanahan, Nicklas Lidström, Chris Chelios, and Yzerman.

3: Jaromir Jagr was a member of the New York Rangers in 2005, simply his third NHL group moreover the Penguins and Washington Capitals. After leaving for the KHL from 2008 to 2011, he returned to play with Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, New Jersey, Florida, and Calgary.

Related: Say It Ain’t So! Former Penguins Legend Jaromir Jagr Set to Retire in 2025

(Bonus) 1: Earlier than 2005, the NHL had performed just one regular-season out of doors sport (2003) earlier than it turned a yearly occasion, beginning with the Winter Traditional in 2008. Crosby scored one in all his most memorable targets, successful the sport in a shootout. Heading into the 2024-25 season, the NHL has hosted 41 out of doors video games.

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