Gretzky praises Crosby: 'I think he's the best player in the game'

Kind words from one generational talent to another.

Before he was drafted, many deemed Sidney Crosby the next "Great One" in comparison to Wayne Gretzky, and though many of No. 99's records are safe from Crosby's reach, Gretzky lauds what "Sid the Kid" has accomplished, and what he's doing this postseason.

"I watch him play a lot because I admire the way he plays," Gretzky told Sportsnet, according to Chris Johnston. "It's not a big secret: I think he's the best player in the game. He just sees the game the right way, he always has.

"He's on a different level when he's playing like he is right now."

Gretzky went on to compare him to additional hockey immortals.

"What Sid has is a little bit of an extra gear as far as his passing ability, his playmaking ability, the ability to make players around him on his team that much better," Gretzky said. "Guys like Bobby Orr did it and Mario (Lemieux) did it and obviously Crosby's doing it. He's just making his team better."

Through his 11-year career, Crosby has averaged 1.33 points per game, which is fifth all-time behind Gretzky, the aforementioned Orr and Lemieux, and Hall of Famer Mike Bossy.

The generation's best player - and a Hall of Fame lock at the age of 28 - has done nothing but meet the expectations of an incredibly hyped career, according to Gretzky.

"He came into the NHL under the microscope and with a great deal of pressure on him, and he's answered pretty much every question there is," Gretzky said. "He's made a franchise really strong, he's won a Cup, he's won two (Olympic) gold medals and it just seems like the bigger the game the better he plays and that's always the sign of a true superstar."