The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to open the 2025-26 NHL season towards the New York Rangers at Madison Sq. Backyard on Tuesday.
Though Pittsburgh is not anticipated to compete this season and is probably going a couple of years away from having a aggressive roster, Penguins captain and franchise legend Sidney Crosby insisted in September that he would not wish to go anyplace. However, it has been speculated that Pittsburgh might method the 38-year-old about waiving his full no-movement clause, which might profit each him and the workforce.
Sidney Crosby may have closing say in potential commerce
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan revealed on Tuesday that “league sources imagine the Penguins would by no means method Crosby to waive” the clause, as an alternative letting him determine how he needs to finish his enjoying profession. The three-time Stanley Cup champion signed a two-year contract extension in September 2024 that runs by the 2026-27 season.
“A commerce must be Crosby-driven,” Kaplan wrote. “He would select the time, and he would select the vacation spot. The Penguins would want to get compensation they felt is truthful. And all of it seemingly would go down quietly.”
Crosby was the topic of commerce rumors earlier than longtime agent Pat Brisson made it known he needs “Sidney to hopefully be within the playoffs yearly.” In the meantime, writers for The Athletic are amongst those that imagine the rebuilding (or “tanking”) Penguins could possibly be headed for a last-place end.
Fellow Penguins icon Evgeni Malkin also hinted in September that he might settle for a transfer to a contender earlier than the in-season commerce deadline arrives. Malkin is within the closing yr of his contract and is not anticipated to obtain an extension.
What motivates Sidney Crosby with Stanley Cup pursuit unlikely?
In keeping with Kaplan, Crosby “hasn’t critically thought of a commerce up to now.” He not too long ago mentioned what motivates him whereas being a part of a membership that will not be Stanley Cup contenders anytime quickly.
“As you play, in case you nonetheless have the fervour, I feel you discover various things that encourage you,” Crosby defined. “This yr is clearly an Olympic yr, so you recognize, that is a giant motivation. However so far as simply on the whole, I feel the motivation is simply to be my greatest. You understand, no matter that’s, you recognize, no matter age and expectations, all that. I all the time simply attempt to be my greatest, and that is sufficient for me.”
Whether or not that will probably be sufficient for Crosby if the 2025-26 Penguins show to be as dangerous as many anticipate stays to be seen.
