g his stay Those same fans celebrated with gusto when news filtered through that Benitez was on his way to Tyneside on Wednesday afternoon to complete the paperwork and be unveil

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- A picture was taken a couple of years ago in the Pittsburgh Penguins dressing room.One of the owners of the Penguins, Mario Lemieux, is in it. So, too, is the Penguins captain, Sidney Crosby. In the middle, flanked by one Hall of Fame center and one sure-fire Hall of Fame center, is a highly touted and broadly smiling prospect named Connor McDavid.A moment in time, to be sure.Three No. 1 overall draft picks.And maybe more than that. Maybe the kind of intersection of greatness that transcends time.When McDavid steps into the PPG Paints Arena here Tuesday night, it will not be to pose for more pictures -- it will be in search of two points for his Edmonton Oilers (9-3-1) against the Penguins (8-2-2). The Oilers captain will no longer be an awestruck teenager imagining what it might be like to live the life, as was the case two seasons ago when that picture was taken.McDavid is still a teenager, at least for a few more months. But early in his second NHL season, he is the catalyst to a buzz that hasnt come out of Edmonton for a decade or more, as well as being the standard bearer of an unprecedented influx of world-class young talent populating the league.No doubt there will be butterflies as McDavid prepares for the first time to face Crosby, who has shaken off a concussion sustained before the season to explode for eight goals and two assists in just six games. Just as there will be more than a passing interest from Crosby, who is almost 10 years McDavids senior.Once you get out there, I think thats the best part, Crosby said Monday. The competitive side kind of takes over.Bob Nicholson has seen hundreds of the games best players, including McDavid and Crosby, come and go, playing on hockeys greatest stages at various points in their careers. The former longtime head of Hockey Canada understands the bond that exists between the best of the best, a kind of organic link that exists in spite of geography and age, and even experience.He recalled, for instance, Lemieux talking about the lessons he learned from having played with Wayne Gretzky during the 1987 Canada Cup. Nicholson knows that Crosby reached out to McDavid after McDavid was selected first overall in 2015 amid a tumult that hadnt been seen since Crosby himself was the first-overall pick after the 2004-05 lockout.Those guys, theyre there for each other, Nicholson said. They dont know each other real well, but they respect each other.Nicholsons words of advice for Tuesday night?Take a deep breath and enjoy it, said Nicholson, who now presides over the Edmonton Oilers renaissance, having two years ago taken over as vice chair of the Oilers Entertainment Group.Theyre generational players, he said of Crosby and McDavid. Theyre different players. Not too often do players like this come along.As time passes, Crosby and McDavid -- who broke his collarbone and missed more than half his rookie season, including a game against Crosby -- might well play alongside each other soon, whether its at the 2018 Olympics in South Korea or the 2020 World Cup of Hockey. But until that time comes, this stands as a chance to savor something unique, two iconic stars playing against each other, one well-established as the greatest player in the world, the other just starting to fulfill those kinds of lofty expectations.Maybe therell be a moment like the night Gretzky first played against his idol Gordie Howe, when Gretzky thought Howe was winking at him in warmups (it was more likely Howes constant blinking) or how Howe at one point gave Gretzky a sharp rap on his wrist after Gretzky stole the puck from him, the legendary Howe admonishing Gretzky not to do it again.Coming into the league and youre thinking, Geez, Ive got to show everybody I belong, Gretzky said. So each and every night it was, Wayne Gretzky and, well, can he play against Dionne? And then it was, Gretzky and can he go against Lafleur? Gretzky and Trottier? And you know those things kind of get you excited when youre a kid: Youre 18, 19 years old, youve got nothing to lose. Youre just going out there to play.Crosby always dreamed about playing against childhood hero Steve Yzerman, although Yzerman was injured during Crosbys rookie season, 2005-06, and the two never did play against each other.Peter Forsberg was another guy that growing up I really liked to watch, Crosby added. I got a pretty hard lesson, I think: One of the first couple times I played him, I was minus-5. So I think I was watching him a little too much that night.I saw him a lot and learned pretty quick that now Ive got to compete against him, not necessarily watch him.In a week, former Philadelphia Flyers great Eric Lindros will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2016.He recalled playing with his boyhood idol Mark Messier in the 1991 Canada Cup, even before Lindros had played a single NHL game. But in his subsequent rookie season with the Flyers, the path to acceptance, to understanding he belonged, went through Pittsburgh and Lemieux.Youve also got a job to do, Lindros said. You get over the situation and you try and just get yourself focused and win two points.Memories? Lifelong.But when you win a faceoff against Mark Messier and he crosschecks you, you know its on, Lindros said with a laugh.When Crosby and McDavid step onto the same ice for the first time Tuesday, its a chance to observe -- heck, celebrate -- those kinds of intersections.Why not care? Lindros asked. Why not celebrate it?And heres the thing. Mark the moment, savor it, because these moments pass quickly.It probably seems like yesterday that Sid was going through the same thing, being compared to guys ? when he first came in, Gretzky said. And before you know it, youre the guy thats on the other side of that.I remember all of a sudden thinking, Wasnt it just yesterday I was being compared to Lafleur? the games all-time leading scorer added with a laugh. And before Auston Matthews and Connor know it, theyre going to be in the same situation that Sid is in, that hes the old guy.But its more than that, according to Gretzky, who proved in a heartbeat that he not just belonged but that he belonged at the top of the hill.I always tell people, youre the king of the castle until someone knocks you off, and right now these kids are all pretty good, Gretzky said, but Sidneys still the best player in the game.Chuck Foreman Womens Jersey . Sulaiman, 44, was chosen unanimously Tuesday in a vote by the leadership, the World Boxing Council said. Sulaiman becomes the sixth president of the organization. Adam Thielen Vikings Jersey . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. http://www.authenticvikingspro.com/Irv-smith-jr-vikings-jersey/ .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Chris Doleman Vikings Jersey . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Kirk Cousins Jersey . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup.Sky Sports News HQ reporter Keith Downie lifts the lid on how Newcastle persuaded Rafa Benitez to stick with them in the Championship...When Rafa Benitez insisted on having a break-clause inserted in his three-year Newcastle contract in March, the Spaniard was making it clear he did not want to lower himself to the Championship.Fast-forward two months and the man who began the season in charge of Real Madrid has gone full circle: hes swapped the Champions League for the Championship. Rafael Benitez will continue to manage Newcastle and try and get them back into the Premier League The 56-year-old will lead Newcastle in Englands second tier next season, after the club gave him in writing the assurances he demands to continue in the St James Park hot-seat.The former Chelsea and Liverpool boss has been won over by the groundswell of support for him from the Newcastle fans, even though he failed to stave off relegation.An hour after a packed St James Park sang his name throughout a rather bizarre season-ending 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham, Benitez was given the promise of full backing by club owner Mike Ashley. But the Spaniard wanted it in writing. Benitez waves to the Newcastle supporters after a 5-1 win over Tottenham What followed was a succession of meetings between Sports Direct tycoon Ashley, managing director Lee Charnley and Benitez himself, as the finer details of a watertight contract were drawn up by lawyers.Benitez effectively made it clear to the St James Park power-brokers in the hours after that final-day win over Spurs that he would be willing to stay - provided he was delivered the assurances he felt would ensure he gets them back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking.What the Spaniard wanted, in essence, was to guarantee a structure was put in place that would mean if he made a mistake it would not cost Newcastle promotion.Although Benitez has managed in the lower leagues of Spain in his early days as a coach, he has never experienced the ultra-competitive, high-intensity English Championship. Benitez is expeccted to bring in a number of summer signings As Newcastles fans became increasingly worried about the wall of silence from their club last week, lawyers from both parties were working on a contract to ensure Benitez didnt suffer the same fate as some of his predecessors, who at times had to work with their hands tied.ddddddddddddThe former Real Madrid manager, who was keen to take a job in the north of England to be close to his family on The Wirral, wanted in writing the full control of transfers to a squad that will need overhauling in the years to come.Benitez also wanted inked promises that he could bring in his own scouting staff, and assurances of a budget for this summer and then again next January. A budget that will be the biggest in the Football League.This is a team whose net spend was second only to Manchester City last season; Mike Ashley will have to open his wallet once more. Rafa Benitez wanted written assurances of a budget for this summer and then again next January. A budget that will be the biggest in the Football League. Keith Downie He will also have to rip up the entire template thats to blame for taking Newcastle down.It is also thought that Benitez will make use of the loan market this season, with high-up contacts across Europe willing to allow their players to play in front of Newcastles passionate support.But aside from the written assurances, it was the full backing of those 50,000 St James Park fanatics that twisted Benitezs arm - and allowed him a vision of what can be achieved at this sleeping giant of a football club.They sang his name throughout the 5-1 win over Spurs. Benitez could at times be seen gazing out in bewilderment that this was coming from fans of a side who just four days earlier had been sent spinning down to the Championship. Benitez has asked for written assurances from the club before extending his stay Those same fans celebrated with gusto when news filtered through that Benitez was on his way to Tyneside on Wednesday afternoon to complete the paperwork and be unveiled for a second time.The arrival of Benitezs own scouting network will most likely mean an end to Graham Carrs tenure at the club.Carr, the man who brought Yohan Cabaye, Matthieu Debuchy and Cheick Tiote to Newcastle, was lauded by Ashley at first but the recent arrivals of Remy Cabella, Florian Thauvin and Seydou Doumbia have cast doubt over his eye for a player.Benitez promised the fans he would make his decision within a fortnight. Hes done just that, with three days to spare.He wanted to leave some time on the off-chance a bigger club came calling. There was interest from a couple of clubs in Spain, but neither got anywhere. Reported overtures from Everton didnt emerge, and Benitez pledged his future to Newcastle. A future that hes mapped out so that only a third of it will be spent in the Championship.Also See:Benitez to stay at NewcastleFrom the Bernabeu to Burton ' ' '