Wayne Gretzky calls Sidney Crosby NHL’s Tom Brady, LeBron James
· Yahoo Sports
Wayne Gretzky believes Sidney Crosby belongs in the same conversation as Tom Brady and LeBron James when it comes to longevity and sustained greatness.
Speaking during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, the NHL legend praised Crosby’s ability to remain elite deep into his career while still carrying the Pittsburgh Penguins and Team Canada on the biggest stages.
Visit freshyourfeel.org for more information.
“He wants to continue. And listen, he’s our Tom Brady. He’s our LeBron James, a guy that can still bring it at an older age,” Gretzky said. “Face facts. He’s not 18 anymore. He’s getting older.”
MORE: Penguins’ Sidney Crosby gets honest about contract plans after 21st NHL season
The comparison carries weight. Crosby just completed his 21st NHL season and still produced at a point-per-game level. The 38-year-old recorded 74 points in 68 games during the 2025-26 regular season while helping Pittsburgh end its three-year playoff drought. He also added five points in six postseason games despite the Penguins falling to the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round.
Gretzky’s comments came while discussing Crosby’s desire to keep playing as long as possible. “You play as long as you want to make them tear that jersey off you,” Gretzky said. “Because once you quit, it’s all done.”
Sidney Crosby still drives winning hockey
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) warms up before a game at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesGretzky’s Brady (23 NFL seasons, 7 Super Bowls) and LeBron (NBA’s all-time leading scorer, played his 23rd NBA season in 2025-26, four NBA championships) comparison fits because Crosby’s impact (3 Stanley Cups) extends far beyond raw production. Like Brady late in his NFL career, Crosby continues to dictate structure, pace, and accountability inside Pittsburgh’s locker room.
The Penguins still rely heavily on Crosby in every situation. He remains their top matchup center, first power-play option, and emotional leader. Even with Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang aging alongside him, Crosby continues to elevate the roster around him.
That became clear again during Canada’s recent international run. Playing alongside Macklin Celebrini at the IIHF World Championship, Crosby showed he can still control games through positioning, puck protection, and elite hockey IQ rather than pure speed. So far, he has five points in the tournament, including a four-assist game against Denmark.
MORE: Fans slam NHL’s choice of Jelly Roll for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs song
Wayne Gretzky saw Sidney Crosby’s greatness early
Gretzky also shared a story from Crosby’s teenage years that highlighted how obvious his talent looked even before junior hockey.
“I said, ‘Who’s that little guy out there? He’s the best player out there,’” Gretzky recalled from a development camp in California. “They said, ‘That’s Crosby. He’s only 14.’”
Impressed by Crosby’s skill, Gretzky joined the next day’s skate just to play alongside him. Afterward, Crosby and his father visited Gretzky’s house, where Crosby’s dad jokingly questioned why Sidney shot instead of passing to the NHL legend on a two-on-one. Gretzky laughed it off and said he already knew Crosby was special, noting how far ahead he was from players his age.
“I said, ‘Mr. Crosby. It’s OK. He’s going to be fine.’ But I could see it then, when he was 14 or 15, how good he was and how much better he was than everyone else at that age,” Gretzky said.
He then added, “But Sid’s remarkable. He’s going to play.”
The story reinforced why Crosby’s career arc remains so rare. Few players sustain dominance for two decades while adapting their game as the league changes around them.
Crosby now sits seventh on the NHL’s all-time scoring list with 1,761 career points (654 goals, 1107 assists) in 1420 games. Like Brady and LeBron, his longevity is no longer just about statistics. It is about staying relevant, competitive, and indispensable long after most stars decline.