Sidney Crosby re-signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins for another two years, which kicks in next season.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have their face of the franchise, Sidney Crosby, signed to a two-year contract extension.

Crosby's new contract with the Penguins kicks in next season, runs through the 2026-27 campaign and is worth $8.7 million per year.

The three-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time Hart Trophy winner and three-time Ted Lindsay Award winner would have been one of the NHL's top free agents available next summer. This contract extension prevents that.

“There are no words to properly describe what Sidney Crosby means to the game of hockey, the city of Pittsburgh and the Penguins organization,” Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said in a news release. “Sidney is the greatest player of his generation and one of the greatest players in the history of the game. His actions today show why he is one of hockey’s greatest winners and leaders. Sid is making a tremendous personal sacrifice in an effort to help the Penguins win, both now and in the future, as he has done for his entire career.”

Crosby, 37, is entering his 20th NHL season, the 18th as their captain. He's the Penguins' all-time leader in games played (1,272), even-strength goals (416), even-strength points (1,025) and game-winning goals (90). 

He's averaged a point per game in each season of his career. He recorded 42 goals and 52 assists for 94 points last season, which was one point higher than his 93 in 2022-23. And with Crosby choosing to keep the same $8.7-million cap hit as he's had in his current 12-year contract, he'll be their second-top-paid player behind Erik Karlsson. 

While 42 NHL players have a higher cap hit than Crosby, only 13 players had more points than him last season.

“His dedication to the Penguins through 2027 ensures that our franchise will have its Captain as we go through this phase of our project,” Dubas said. “Sid’s commitment reiterates our urgency to build a team around him that can return our team to contention and provide our players with Sid’s leadership and example of what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin.”

With more reaction, here's Avry Lewis-McDougall:

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