Mark Recchi: Crosby might be closest NHL comparison to Michael Jordan

Hockey Hall of Fame member Mark Recchi believes Sidney Crosby is hockey's closest comparison to NBA legend Michael Jordan.

"Obviously, there's some great ones along the way, but in terms of the work ethic, I heard somebody say Sidney, and Sidney's probably about as close as you're gonna get, except he's not as confrontational as Michael Jordan was, it seems like," the Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach said on Sportsnet's "Hockey Central." "Sid's work ethic is the hardest, the teammates have no choice but to follow."

Recchi has had a front-row seat to the Crosby show over the last several years. In 2014, he was hired as the Penguins' player development coach before being named an assistant coach in 2017.

One of the main reasons Recchi chose Crosby is due to the 32-year-old's desire to keep improving on his game while helping his teammates do the same.

"Our practices are unbelievably fast. When we get new guys in, they're not used to practicing at that pace and it takes them about three weeks to a month to catch up to that pace, and Sid leads the way every day," Recchi said. "After practice, he tries to get better at something every day. It's almost, like, lead by example: 'Guys you gotta stick with me and follow along and do the things I'm doing and we're gonna get there.'"

Crosby and Recchi were teammates for three seasons from 2005 until 2007.

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