Sidney Crosby is a franchise staple in Pittsburgh, but could he be moved at the deadline if not re-signed? Plus, will the Canucks need to hunt for alternative goalie options or will Thatcher Demko and Arturs Silovs be good to go come training camp?
The lack of news regarding a contract extension for Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has some observers wondering about the 37-year-old center's future. It's even given rise to some trade speculation.
TSN's Travis Yost considers a Crosby trade unlikely. Nevertheless, he thinks the hockey community is underestimating the possibility.
Yost makes the case for moving Crosby at the 2025 trade deadline if the Penguins should struggle again. He believes the future Hall-of-Famer could fetch a significant return even as a playoff rental player that could accelerate the Penguins' rebuilding process.
The Penguins currently carry just over $874K in cap space entering this season, but they can accrue more throughout the season if no one lands on LTIR. Yost felt that would enable them to move some of Crosby's remaining cap hit to facilitate a deadline deal.
Crosby carries a full no-movement clause. Nevertheless, Yost suggests he might waive it to join a contender, pointing out that the Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche have the flexibility and the pedigree to contend with Crosby in their lineup. He also doesn't rule out the Vegas Golden Knights getting into the bidding given their history of making big moves near the trade deadline.
Yost also proposed the possibility of Crosby returning to the Penguins as a UFA following such a trade.
Trading Crosby does seem unlikely. For all we know, he and the Penguins are already close to a new deal that could be announced on the opening day of training camp.
Still, the longer Crosby goes without a new deal, the more speculation about his future, including potential trade scenarios.
Turning to the Vancouver Canucks, there was concern entering this week about the health of goaltenders Thatcher Demko and Arturs Silovs.
Demko, 28, has been sidelined since suffering a lower-body injury following the opening game of their first-round series with the Nashville Predators. He reportedly underwent a procedure during the off-season, raising questions about his availability for training camp and the start of the season.
Meanwhile, knee ligament inflammation kept the 24-year-old Silovs from playing for Latvia in their recent Olympic qualifier.
The Province's Patrick Johnston reports some good news for the Canucks' goalie tandem. Demko was back on the ice earlier this week while Silovs' is expected to be ready for training camp. President of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said they'll know more once both netminders undergo their training camp medicals.
Recent rumors had the Canucks considering a possible short-term goalie addition if Demko or Silovs are out longer than expected. Free agents Kevin Lankinen, Antti Raanta and Martin Jones were mentioned as targets.
Johnston reported the Canucks put out feelers to Lankinen and Raanta. He believes they'd prefer bringing one of them to training camp on a professional tryout offer. Lankinen, however, is said to be seeking a contract.