From USA Today's Kevin Allen:

The most impressive aspect of Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby approaching 1,000 career points is that we may not have seen his best work.

Pittsburgh general manager Jim Rutherford said he believes Crosby, with 998 points in 753 games going into Thursday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche, is still finding ways to refine his game.

“I don’t know if there is any other athlete in the world who is more prepared to be successful,” Rutherford said. “It started at a young age, and it has never dropped off. And it never will.”

At 29 years, 185 days through Wednesday, Crosby is in position to become the 12th youngest to reach 1,000 points. He would also rank 12th fastest with 753 games entering Thursday's meeting.

Nobody has done it faster since Jaromir Jagr reached 1,000 points in 2000, not long before Jagr’s 29th birthday.

“(Crosby's) at a level all by himself right now,” Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. “Can he take it to another level? I wouldn’t put it past him.”

Continued