Sidney Crosby Will Stay In Pittsburgh
Speculation arose about Sidney Crosby’s future with the Pittsburgh Penguins after general manager Kyle Dubas shipped Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes before the March 8 trade deadline.
Guentzel spent most of his career in Pittsburgh as Crosby’s left winger. The duo enjoyed several productive seasons together, including a Stanley Cup in 2017.
Crosby was understandably terse in his response to reporters when asked what message Dubas was sending by trading Guentzel. “I don’t know. It’s probably a better question for them,” he said.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
Last month, Crosby told The Athletic’s Rob Rossi that trading Guentzel wouldn’t affect his decision to remain with the Penguins. He also said that he wouldn’t offer any unsolicited opinions to Dubas regarding his long-time winger.
Crosby is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. It’s assumed he’ll sign a new contract to finish his career with the Penguins, possibly as early as this summer.
Some observers wondered if the Guentzel trade might change Crosby’s mind. For the first time in his 19-season NHL career, the Penguins are poised to miss the playoffs for the second straight season. Trading Guentzel signals Dubas’ intent to retool the roster at the very least.
TSN’s Martin Biron suggested the odds of Crosby re-signing with the Penguins dropped from 100 percent to 50 percent, citing the club’s change in direction.
Before the Guentzel trade, TNT’s Paul Bissonnette imagined what it would be like if the future Hall of Famer joined his buddy and fellow Cole Harbour, NS native Nathan MacKinnon in Colorado with the Avalanche, though he prefaced his post by saying, “I know it won’t happen but…”
Meanwhile, some fans took to social media dreaming up possible trade or free-agent destinations for Crosby. The Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens (his boyhood team), Boston Bruins (to play alongside long-time friend Brad Marchand), and Toronto Maple Leafs (to replace John Tavares when his contract expires next year) were among the proposed destinations.
I hate to burst your bubble, folks, but Crosby’s not leaving Pittsburgh.
Don’t take my word for it. Rossi hit back against the speculation, tweeting that Crosby will sign a contract extension on July 1. Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski tweeted he confirmed with people who spoke with Crosby that he’s not leaving. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman also believes Crosby will sign an extension, speculating it’ll be a two or three-year deal worth $10.5 million annually.
I get why some folks would question why Crosby would stick around with the Penguins now that they’re heading toward a rebuild of some kind, especially when he’s still playing so well. They envision him chasing another Stanley Cup with MacKinnon or Marchand or going out on a high note by helping the Maple Leafs end their long Cup drought.
Unless something dramatically changes in Crosby’s relationship with the Penguins front office, he’ll remain loyal to the only NHL club he’s ever played for. The one he saved from potential relocation, giving them nearly two decades of great hockey and three Stanley Cups.
My bet is Crosby will follow in the footsteps of Mario Lemieux and stick around to pass the torch on to the next generation of potential Penguins stars.
This doesn’t burst my bubble at all!
This will be met with joy from most penguins fans, and by any other fan of a team in the metropolitan.
I don’t see a way that this team turns it around before Crosby retires, and that’s just fine by me.
This team isn’t a piece or two away, this team is setting itself up for a decade away.
About a decade. Yes. But either we are destined to have another generational talent or bettman makes it happen… by magic or voodoo or something. There are more important things than the cup over time. I’d know. I’ve gotten to enjoy both.
If the Great One can leave what he had in Edmonton ,Sid might eventually think about it!
The great one was sold. Different times my friend.
This is what must of inspired the Penn to win tonight. Start making the statue!
If Crosby wants to remain a Penguin for Life, that is fine, but people need to give up the expectation of some fairytale ending. Penguins likely need a full rebuild, the window is closed.