Insider: Sidney Crosby 'Sour' at Penguins
An NHL insider believes the future between Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins isn't that clear.
PITTSBURGH – As the painful 2023-24 season nears an end for the Pittsburgh Penguins, there has been a new level of conversation around the future of Sidney Crosby. The 2024-25 season will be the last one on Crosby’s contract, making him eligible for an extension this upcoming offseason.
The most likely outcome is that Crosby will sign his extension when free agency opens, and everyone can put their theories and pleas for him to leave the Penguins to rest. Until pen is put to paper, however, there will be speculation about Crosby’s future.
Despite the likelihood of Crosby sticking in Pittsburgh, insider Darren Dreger questions if Crosby will have a change of heart. Dreger joined the Barn Burner Podcast and took a stab at guessing what may happen this summer.
“I can’t wait for the end of the year media scrum with around Sidney Crosby,” Dreger said. “I want to know if he’s going to declare that he’s coming back to Pittsburgh, and he doesn’t want to have to deal with this in the offseason.”
Reports have already come out that talks have started between Crosby’s camp and the Penguins. It’s possible that getting an extension to Crosby is near the top of the priority list for general manager Kyle Dubas for the offseason.
Dreger went on to speculate that Crosby may avoid questions regarding his future in Pittsburgh, saying he may need time to think about things.
“If he does that,” Dreger said, “We’re going to have a hell of a July 1st. Free agent frenzy is going to be buzzing.”
Even if Crosby doesn’t sign a contract this July 1, he will not be a free agent. The Penguins have him under contract through the 2024-25 season. Dreger was sure to make note of that one more year but still speculated about what may come after.
“Imagine if a player of that magnitude were to consider chasing the Cup,” Dreger said. “He’s definitely sour at the direction of the Penguins.”
It’s bold of Dreger to know exactly what Crosby is thinking about the Penguins and their direction. Dubas has stated that the goal is to build a championship team with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. The team may not look successful right now, but they are hopeful they will continue chasing the Stanley Cup again in no time.
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