Sidney Crosby Leading Penguins by Example
Ever since being drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby has been the face of the organization, both on the ice and off.
Over the duration of his 19-year career, the Penguins captain has been the face of the NHL and has more than lived up to the hype that surrounded him when he arrived.
As Crosby’s 19th season is in full swing, he continues to lead his team in every way imaginable.
The Penguins sit with a 8-6-0 record and much of the recent success is thanks to the work being put in by Crosby himself.
Crosby is riding a nine-game point streak and recently rattled off his 16th career hat trick.
Everyone in the Penguins locker room knows the kind of leader he is and he’s been setting the standard for the whole team.
“He obviously wasn’t happy with how things went last year, I don’t think any of us where,” linemate Bryan Rust said. “He took it personal. You can see how focused he is, how driven he is to have success. He’s leading by example.”
Rust himself has turned into a veteran with the Penguins, now playing in his 10th season with the team, but he says Crosby has always made sure to be a true leader in every aspect for the team.
“It’s been the same ever since I’ve been here,” Rust said. “Any new guys he makes sure we come together as a team and gain that chemistry off the ice, too.”
Head coach Mike Sullivan said before that he felt like Crosby had another level to reach; soon after Crosby notched that hat trick against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Sullivan echoed the statement of ‘leading by example’ and doing everything he can to win.
“He’s essential,” Sullivan said. “His leadership manifests itself in so many ways. It’s not just his voice in the locker room. It’s his example in the way he plays.”
In 14 games this season, Crosby is leading the Penguins in goals (10) and points (19) and is on pace for well over 100 on the year.
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Crosby, like many of his returning teammates, weren’t happy with how the 2022-23 season ended; the first missed postseason from the Penguins since Crosby’s rookie year.
This time around, the core players have been a major key to the early success, especially Crosby who found that next level against Columbus.
“Obviously, there’s times where he elevates that,” Rust said. “This is just one of those times.”
Crosby is hungry this season, maybe more so than others and the Penguins are surely going to reap the benefits of their captain finding new levels.
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.
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