{
  "id": 8980588,
  "title": "NHL Network ranks Crosby 12th best player in NHL right now",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/nhl-network-ranks-crosby-12th-best-player-in-nhl-right-now",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-21T18:32:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nhl-network-ranks-crosby-12th-183239991.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The NHL Network has released its annual ranking of the top players in the National Hockey League for the upcoming 2026-27 season, and Sidney Crosby has been ranked 12th among the league's best. The Pittsburgh Penguins' center, who is 39 years old and entering the final year of his contract with the team, was previously ranked 7th last year and 11th the year before that. Former NHL goaltender and NHL Network analyst Cory Schneider praised Crosby's impressive career, stating that it's rare to see such a consistent top-tier performance for 21 years. Last season, Crosby achieved an NHL record by maintaining a point per game average or higher for 21 consecutive seasons. The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to begin their preseason on tonight, hosting the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.",
  "summary": "Sidney Crosby has been listed as the 12th best player in the National Hockey League, according to the NHL Network’s “Top 50 Players Right Now” series. Ahead of the upcoming 2026-27 NHL season, the NHL Network is releasing its annual ranking of the top players in the league, and once again, Crosby is near the […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Sidney Crosby ranked 12th among NHL's best for 2026-27 season",
    "Crosby praised for consistent top-tier performance over 21 years",
    "Pittsburgh Penguins to start preseason on August 1 against Buffalo Sabres"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}