Sidney Crosby, the long-time captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been at the center of contract extension talks this off-season, sparking widespread speculation. At 37 years old, many believe Crosby will continue his career with the Penguins, possibly with a three-year deal. However, his delay in signing has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike.
The anxiety started when Crosby didn’t ink a deal on July 1, the beginning of free agency. However, an update from The Athletic’s Rob Rossi on July 8 reassured fans, indicating that both sides were close to reaching an agreement. There were even rumors that Crosby, known for his superstitions, might sign on his birthday, August 7. When that didn’t happen, Rossi clarified that his birthday was never intended as a signing date and emphasized that both Crosby and the Penguins were confident a deal would be finalized. Sources close to Crosby also indicated that he intends to remain in Pittsburgh.
Josh Yohe, another writer for The Athletic, echoed this sentiment on August 13, asserting that there is no scenario where the Penguins would risk losing Crosby, though he acknowledged the prolonged negotiations were unusual. Kelsey Surmacz of The Hockey News noted the panic that ensued when Crosby didn’t sign on his birthday, but pointed out there was no real evidence suggesting Crosby was considering leaving Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette commented on the “weird amount of silence” surrounding the contract talks, labeling the situation as “far more worrisome.” He suggested that it might be time for Crosby and the Penguins to part ways, arguing that Crosby’s best shot at another Stanley Cup might lie with a different team. Despite this, Mackey doesn’t believe either party is ready to make such a drastic move.
The secrecy surrounding Crosby’s contract talks has led some fans to question whether he still wants to stay with the Penguins, especially if the team is no longer a strong Cup contender. They also speculated on what a potential trade could look like. Yohe believes Crosby wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh, but if a trade were to happen, it might involve a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 first-round pick, a top prospect, and a young NHL player. The Penguins would likely have to absorb part of Crosby’s salary to make the deal work.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty, it still appears likely that Crosby will sign an extension before the start of training camp next month. However, the longer the negotiations continue, the more questions will arise, and the more anxious Penguins fans will become.
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