Top 5 Penguins Players With Most Assists From Sidney Crosby

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby just collected his 1,033rd assist, tying Mario Lemieux for most in franchise history.

When Crosby dishes off to another teammate who scores a goal, he’ll break Lemieux’s trifecta on the team’s record book and have 12th place on the NHL’s assist list alone.

Considering that he has skated in more games than any other Pittsburgh player, Crosby is bound to impact several player’s career totals.

Today, we look at the skaters who have benefitted the most from a pass from Crosby.

Top 5 Penguins Players With Most Assists From Sidney Crosby

5. Bryan Rust (59)

Bryan Rust was initially drafted by the Penguins in the third round (80th overall) at the 2010 Draft. Since his debut in 2014-15, he’s closing in on 600 games, 200 goals, and 400 points with the club.

At 23, Rust won the first of back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. Throughout his 11 seasons, he’s benefitted from 59 of Crosby’s passes, the fifth most among any player.

First assist: Nov. 12, 2016 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (Goal No. 7)

4. Kris Letang (62)

Kris Letang has been a member of the Penguins since 2006-07 and is the franchise’s leading scorer as a defenseman with 758 points.

Related: Penguins: Inside The Crosby, Malkin, & Letang Connection

In addition to three Stanley Cup wins, he’s been skating with Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for 19 seasons, the longest trio of teammates in North American sports history. Letang and Crosby are one of the most dynamic duos in NHL history.

First assist: Oct. 12, 2006 vs. New York Rangers (Goal No. 1)

3. Chris Kunitz (81)

Chris Kunitz won the Stanley Cup four times, including three with the Penguins, thanks to his undeniable chemistry with Crosby, who helped him become a multi-time 20-goal scorer.

He played in the NHL for 15 seasons, nine of which were spent in Pittsburgh. By the time he left in the summer of 2017, Kunitz had the second-most assists from Crosby.

First assist: Mar. 15, 2009 vs. Boston Bruins (Goal No. 85)

2. Jake Guentzel (114)

No offense to Malkin, Crosby’s long-time teammate, but the argument could be made that Jake Guentzel was the best natural goal scorer that Crosby has ever skated with.

Related: Analyzing The Penguins Christmas Break Records In The Salary Cap Era

In his eight seasons in Pittsburgh, Guentzel was a two-time 40-goal scorer and departed with 219 goals in 503 games. Perspectively, Crosby set up 52% of his goals in black and gold.

First assist: Feb. 14, 2017 vs. Vancouver Canucks (Goal No. 6)

1. Evgeni Maklin (140)

When two players have skated side-by-side for almost two decades, they are bound to impact each other’s careers profoundly. Hence the case with Crosby and Malkin. As only the third player in Penguins history to score 500 goals, it’s no surprise that Crosby set up 140 of them.

As great as the duo of Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr was, there’s a debate that Crosby and Malkin’s successes supersede those of the pair who led the team to its first two Stanley Cup titles.

First assist: Oct. 19, 2006 vs. New York Islanders (Goal No. 2)

Since Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Recchi was the recipient of a Crosby assist and Philip Tomasino scored on his 1,033rd helper, who will be the one to help the captain break the record?