When they were young
[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVCkSMwaGGc]
As you may have heard, Sidney Crosby turns 21 tomorrow. No word yet if the Staals plan on hosting a party.
But let's forget for a moment that "Sid The Kid" can now legally buy a bottle of Sambuca in this country. Let's focus on "The Kid" part.
Only two players in the history of the sport have been more productive than Crosby before turning 21. Perhaps you've heard of them.
(Photo: Dennis Brodeur/Getty Images)
Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux are the only players with at least the equivalent of a full NHL season under their belt to record more points per game than Crosby before they turned 21.
Not bad company.
Here's a list of every player who averaged more than a point per game in more than 78 games before they turned 21.
| Player, Team | Games Played |
Points | Points Per Game |
| 1. Wayne Gretzky, Oilers | 159 | 301 | 1.89 |
| 2. Mario Lemieux, Penguins | 152 | 241 | 1.59 |
| 3. Sidney Crosby, Penguins | 213 | 294 | 1.38 |
| 4. Eric Lindros, Flyers | 126 | 172 | 1.37 |
| 5. Rob Brown, Penguins | 119 | 159 | 1.34 |
| 6. Alex Ovechkin, Capitals | 81 | 106 | 1.31 |
| 7. Dale Hawerchuk, Jets | 239 | 296 | 1.24 |
| 7. Denis Savard, Blackhawks | 156 | 194 | 1.24 |
| 9. Jimmy Carson, Kings/Oilers | 240 | 286 | 1.19 |
| 10. Ron Francis, Whalers | 210 | 241 | 1.15 |
| 11. Pierre Larouche, Penguins | 155 | 179 | 1.15 |
| 12. Evgeni Malkin, Penguins | 78 | 85 | 1.09 |
| 12. Barry Pederson, Bruins | 89 | 97 | 1.09 |
| 12. Joe Sakic, Nordiques | 150 | 164 | 1.09 |
| 15. Bryan Trottier, Islanders | 156 | 167 | 1.07 |
| 16. Steve Yzerman, Red Wings | 211 | 218 | 1.03 |
Lord knows how Rob Brown is on that list, let alone so high up on it. Other than, being on Mario Lemieux's line that is.
EMPTY NETTER ASSISTS
Penguins
-Groundbreaking for the Penguins' new arena will take place Aug. 14.
-Undrafted forward Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll, who had the fourth-most goals in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season with 43, will attend the Penguins training camp.
Atlantic Division
-The Devils re-signed forward Pascal Rheaume. He spent last season in Austria.
Northeast Division
-New Bruins forward Michael Ryder hates moose. And we're not talking about Johan Hedberg.
Southeast Division
-Hopefully you don't have Panthers forward Chad Kilger in your fantasy keeper league.
-Miami Arena, the original home of the Panthers, is near the end of its life.
Adams Division
-This is very loosely connected to hockey, but check out this really cool gallery of Olympic torches dating back to 1936.
-By the sounds of things, watching KHL games in the United States, won't be that much tougher than watching anything on Versus.