Sidney Crosby leaving the Penguins: The star finally gives his verdict

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Cooper Godin
September 11, 2024 (9:59)

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Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is set to be without a contract next summer and it's led to speculation about his future in the Steel City.

As of July 1st, Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby has been able to sign a contract extension with the team and so far, a deal hasn't been completed, with some people questioning if the future Hall of Famer could move on to another organization next summer.

Because the Penguins haven't made the playoffs in the last couple of seasons, along with the fact that Crosby is aging, turning 37 last month, Elliotte Friedman wondered recently if that's weighing on the Cole Harbour native and if he wants another shot at a Stanley Cup elsewhere.

Despite speculation on his future and if he could potentially leave Pittsburgh, the Penguins captain squashed rumours and told reporters at the NHL Players Media tour in Las Vegas that he's optimistic that a contract extension will be signed pretty soon.

"No, no," Crosby said, "I'm pretty optimistic it's going to get done [before the season]. I don't know what day specifically, but it's been really positive. It hasn't been a difficult process at all." Crosby said.

If Crosby were to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent next summer, 31 other National Hockey League teams would've been interested in signing him, there's no doubt about that. Crosby is a generational talent, one of the greatest players the game of hockey has ever seen and even though he's in his late-30s, he's still producing at an high level, registering back-to-back 90+ point seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

With Crosby expected to be locked up to an extension before their opening game of the season against the New York Rangers, the Penguins management group are going to do everything in their power this year to surround their captain with a solid core that'll give him a shot at hoisting another Stanley Cup.