The Pittsburgh Penguins' big comeback may lead to a playoff spot, but speculation remains on what could happen to Crosby and their goaltenders after this season. Alex Nedeljkovic and Tristan Jarry [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA1NjY0OTUzNzY2OTc5MDEz/usatsi_22773137_168400847_lowres.jpg] Alex Nedeljkovic and Tristan Jarry A late-season surge has the Pittsburgh Penguins jockeying with the New York Islanders, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers for one of the last two Eastern Conference playoff berths. Nevertheless, speculation persists over their off-season plans, especially for franchise star Sidney Crosby, who has a year remaining on his contract. The Hockey News' Nick Horwat [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-sidney-crosby-massive-decision-make#:%7e:text=The%202024%2D25%20season%20will,Crosby%20informed%20about%20decision%2Dmaking.] has noted before that Crosby seems to have no desire to leave the Penguins, but he'd be within his right to look elsewhere if he feels like it. Larry Brooks of the New York Post also doubted the Penguins captain wants out, but he pointed to some trepidation [https://nypost.com/2024/04/06/sports/sidney-crosbys-awards-reality-shouldnt-overshadow-his-season/] over Crosby's future in Pittsburgh. If he does want out, Brooks presumes Crosby would inform Kyle Dubas before this summer, allowing sufficient time for the Penguins GM to find a suitable trade partner. A Crosby trade this summer would be the biggest move of the year. However, he reportedly intends to finish his career [https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-high-cost-of-contract-extensions-for-sidney-crosby-and-leon-draisaitl] with the Penguins. It's anticipated he'll sign a contract extension worth over $10 million annually sometime in July. Meanwhile, Horwat cited [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-goalie-decisions-make-offseason]Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman noting there were rumors before the trade deadline involving Tristan Jarry. The Penguins were said to be in talks with another team involving the 28-year-old goaltender, but that rumor was shot down. Friedman suggested anything was possible with Jarry, who has struggled down the stretch. Backup Alex Nedeljkovic has earned most of their recent starts and kept the Penguins in playoff contention. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Paul Zeise believes [https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/paul-zeise/2024/04/03/tristan-jarry-pittsburgh-penguins-nhl-playoffs-sidney-crosby-kyle-dubas/stories/202404030065] Jarry's situation will be worth monitoring, pointing out that the decline in his play would hurt his off-season trade value. His contract would also be an issue. He's got four years remaining on his deal [https://puckpedia.com/player/tristan-jarry], with an average annual value of $5.375 million and a modified no-trade clause. Nedeljkovic, 28, is slated to become a UFA on July 1 and has enjoyed a bounce-back performance after two difficult seasons. He could be playing his way to a more lucrative deal with another team. The Penguins have about $12.9 million in projected cap space for next season with five pending UFAs and three pending RFAs, mainly depth players. Horwat also cited [https://thehockeynews.com/news/the-high-cost-of-contract-extensions-for-sidney-crosby-and-leon-draisaitl] Friedman's reporting Penguins defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph was on the trade block before the deadline. He has nine assists and 11 points in 48 games this season while averaging 14:42 of ice time per game. He'll be an RFA this off-season, but a move remains possible.
