NHL careers can span a long-time. Sometimes we forget where it all started for guys like Sidney Crosby and Zdeno Chara. Sure they’re locks for the Hall of Fame now, but going into their first ever playoffs, we had no idea what their legacy would be. That’s what makes these images so cool.
It’s amazing to see how much these players have changed since their first playoff appearances. For Sidney Crosby, he first made the playoffs when he was 19 in the 2006-07 season. The Penguins lost to the Ottawa Senators in the first round in 5 games. Fourteen years later, Crosby has won 3 Stanley Cups and a long list of awards and honours.
Then there’s Patrick Marleau. His first playoff appearance was in the 90’s! Now he’s 40 years old playing in his 20th NHL playoffs. And yes, it’s still weird to see him out of a San Jose Sharks jersey.
The biggest juxtaposition goes to Shea Weber. That playoff beard has morphed into its own entity. Something that 20-year old Shea wasn’t quite able to pull off.
Which of these pictures is your favourite?
