By Jacob Messing

Earlier this month, Sidney Crosby turned 30 years old, and even at that benchmark age the Pittsburgh Penguins captain still remains at the forefront of any argument about who is the best player in the world.

However, that’s not to say a new generation of budding stars won’t be entering the conversation soon.

The NHL is becoming increasingly younger, and 20-year-old phenom Connor McDavid highlights the future of the game. So, rather than compare them -- given that Crosby has 10 years on the Edmonton Oilers’ young captain -- we decided to break down the best players by age groups, those above 30 and those below.

Over 30

Sidney Crosby, 30 years old

Pittsburgh Penguins

Career Stats: 782 GP, 382 G, 645 A, 1,027 Pts., plus-165

It’s merely a coincidence that Crosby tops this list (it’s in alphabetical order), but the only other candidate to top him is Jaromir Jagr. Crosby’s last two years have really cemented his name among the best in NHL history, and he’s got plenty left in the tank.

Crosby now has three Stanley Cups, back-to-back Conn Smythe Trophies, two Hart Trophies, two Art Ross Trophies, two Olympic gold medals, and a World Cup of Hockey gold.

Crosby has come a long way from the recurring concussion and injury problems he faced earlier in his career, and his ability to put them behind him and play his game further shows his dominance.

Jaromir Jagr, 45

Free Agent

Career Stats: 1,711 GP, 765 G, 1,149 A, 1,914 Pts., plus-316

Jagr is an ageless wonder and was an easy choice on this list. He may not score at the pace he used to (I mean, he is 45), but he’s close to 800 goals and 2,000 career points, which he has stated he wants to reach.

That makes him motivated for two more seasons, seeing as he won’t reach either milestone in 2017-18, once he signs a contract, which teams should lining up to do this offseason.

Jagr’s two Stanley Cups, five Art Ross Trophies, and Hart Trophy make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Evgeni Malkin, 31

Pittsburgh Penguins

Career Stats: 706 GP, 328 G, 504 A, 832 Pts., plus-75

One can argue that being in Crosby’s shadow has helped Malkin grow into the player he has become, but his career accomplishments are still nothing to balk at. He’s had a lot of injury issues but continues to dominate when he’s in the lineup.

Malkin has three Stanley Cups, two Art Ross Trophies, a Calder Trophy, a Hart Trophy, and a Conn Smythe Trophy to his resume and is only adding accolades at the age of 31.

There’s hardly a comparable second-line center in the game, and Malkin would be the top-line guy on almost any other team in the league.

Alex Ovechkin, 31

Washington Capitals

Career Stats: 921 GP, 558 G, 477 A, 1,035 Pts., plus-84

As the top goal scorer of a generation in which goals are at an utmost premium, Ovechkin can be argued as the greatest goal scorer of all time. Ovechkin is coming off of a slow year, but it’s up in the air whether he’s declining or can return to his past production.

He’s been knocked for his playoff performance and lack of a Stanley Cup, but one man can’t win it alone. He also has 46 goals and 90 points in 97 postseason games.

Even without a Stanley Cup, the sniper has amassed a Calder Trophy, three Hart Trophies, and six Maurice Richard Trophies.

Henrik Zetterberg, 36

Detroit Red Wings

Career Stats: 1,000 GP, 326 G, 578 A, 904 Pts., plus-159

Many won’t agree with Zetterberg’s inclusion on this list, but he’s certainly deserving of it. Zetterberg is not only a true captain but also a incredibly respected individual. His career consistency and slow-aging play helped him beat out other considerations for this spot.

In regard to individual trophies, Zetterberg only has one Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe but has been among the NHL’s greatest playoff performers during his career.

At 36, and on the worst team of his career, Zetterberg showed a resurgence to his game in 2016-17, tallying 17 goals and 68 points in 82 games, his first full season since 2011-12.

Considerations: Duncan Keith, 34 (Chicago Blackhawks); Carey Price, 30 (Montreal Canadiens); and Joe Thornton, 38 (San Jose Sharks)

Under 30

Jamie Benn, 28

Dallas Stars

Career Stats: 585 GP, 218 G, 299 A, 517 Pts., plus-17

The former fifth-round pick burst onto the scene during the 2013-14 season with 34 goals and 79 points in 81 games. Benn’s sheer ability to reach the NHL had low odds, but he has dominated in Dallas in each of the past four seasons.

Benn doesn’t hold a lot of individual trophies aside from an Art Ross Trophy in 2015 (and near repeat in 2016).

He’s a full-package player who does everything and does it consistently and treacherously. He and Tyler Seguin have formed one of the game’s strongest duos and have put the Stars in a position to contend for the Cup.

Patrick Kane, 28

Chicago Blackhawks

Career Stats: 740 GP, 285 G, 467 A, 752 Pts., plus-79

After a turbulent summer in 2015, Kane exploded his game to the next level and established a career-high 46 goals and 106 points to lead the league and win the Hart Trophy.

A three-time Stanley Cup champion, who also owns a Conn Smythe, a Calder Trophy and an Art Ross Trophy, Kane has become one of the most decorated players under the age of 30.

The Blackhawks remain Cup contenders for the foreseeable future, and Kane is what leads the offense every night. It will be interesting to see how he plays moving forward without linemate Artemi Panarin, but odds are Kane will be just fine.

Erik Karlsson, 27

Ottawa Senators

Career Stats: 556 GP, 117 G, 339A, 456 Pts., minus-12

Arguably the best defenseman in the game and certainly the most well rounded since Nicklas Lidstrom, Karlsson nearly paced his Ottawa Senators to the Stanley Cup Finals on a broken heel and foot.

A two-time Norris Trophy winner, Karlsson has continually matured his game on both sides of the puck and is freshly 27 years old.

The Senators weren’t a flash in the pan last season, as pretty much their entire team is returning. As far as players go who make their teammates better, Karlsson just may be at the top of that list, too.

Connor McDavid, 20

Edmonton Oilers

Career Stats: 127 GP, 46 G, 102 A, 148 Pts., plus-26

There’s not a whole lot that can be said of McDavid that he hasn’t already made a case for through his play. As a sophomore, he led the league with 100 points and is just getting started. As he matures into his body, the speedy center will get stronger and even more confident.

His unpredictability is off the charts, and he’ll continue to add to his repertoire, as well. In just his second season, he already has a Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy.

McDavid’s teammates are no slouches, either, and playing with solid linemates will only push him into a higher level.

Tyler Seguin, 25

Dallas Stars

Career Stats: 508 GP, 189 G, 238 A, 427 Pts., plus-55

Seguin is hardly just Benn’s linemate. Over the past three seasons, only four players have more points than Seguin and only 10 have more goals. He also happens to have played in fewer games than each name above him throughout those three years, too.

Seguin took the next step in Dallas after he was traded by Boston in 2013 and, as mentioned above, has created a ridiculously strong duo with Benn.

Seguin is another who that isn’t swimming in individual awards, but as Dallas nears a Stanley Cup, he’ll add to his resume.

Considerations: Nicklas Backstrom, 29 (Washington Capitals); Nikita Kucherov, 24 (Tampa Bay Lightning); and Vladimir Tarasenko, 25 (St. Louis Blues)

Have a question or a comment for Jacob Messing? You can find him on Twitter @JMessing23.