Before the 2023-24 season started, the NHL gathered some of the league’s best players in Las Vegas for the NHL Player Media Tour. Longtime captain Sidney Crosby represented the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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Considering this was a first-time event for the league, it allowed superstars to mingle and renew old friendships. Moreover, it gave Crosby a chance to meet first-overall pick Connor Bedard just weeks before their clash would kickstart the new NHL season.
I don’t put a lot of stock in the IIHF World Championships, but seeing Sidney Crosby and Connor Bedard together would be cool. Bedard grew up idolizing Crosby.
Let’s make it happen. pic.twitter.com/5bJO7V7RWc
— The Sidney Crosby Archives (@87crosbycareer) April 18, 2024
In addition to all their media responsibilities, this time together allowed each former top pick to connect and share their love of the sport.
After the success of last year’s event, the league headed back to the Strip, allowing Crosby to meet with the San Jose Sharks‘ recent first-overall pick, Macklin Celebrini.
For perspective, Bedard was 80 days old (July 17, 2005) when Crosby skated in his first regular-season hockey game on Oct. 5, 2005. Meanwhile, Celebrini wasn’t even born (June 13, 2006) by the time Crosby finished his first season or collected his 100th point.
Related: 7 Fascinating Statistics About Sidney Crosby’s Career
At some point in 2024-25, Sid the Kid, beginning his 20th season in the league, will face off against both former first-overall picks. If Celebrini makes the Sharks lineup out of training camp, he’ll become the 21st active first-overall pick in the league, joining:
Next summer, when Crosby rolls into Vegas for the next NHL Player Media Tour event and snaps a photo with the top pick from the 2025 Draft, that player will mark the 20th first overall pick taken since his selection in 2005.
However, in 12 months, who will still be playing from this list, and who may be retired?
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