Michel Therrien took over as coach of the Penguins in mid-December, 2005.
By his reckoning, Sidney Crosby might well have been the NHL's premier player at that time.
More than a decade later, Therrien's job has changed _ he now coaches Montreal _ but his perspective on Crosby hasn't.
"At 19 years old, he was probably the best player in the league," Therrien said Saturday. "Ten years after, and he's still the best. And even better, probably.
"Maturity, understanding the game. His passion, his work ethic. He became a really good leader.
"Not only for the Penguins, but he won Olympic gold medals. Just a terrific player."
Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty never has played on a team with Crosby, but seems no less impressed by him.
"He's so dominant every year," Pacioretty said. "That's so much harder than people think.
"He's a player who obviously wants to get better every year, and in the offseason. ... It's amazing that he's able to do it, year after year."
