The Pittsburgh Penguins locked up their long-time franchise participant for what would seemingly be his last two years within the NHL.
The group introduced Monday that ahead Sidney Crosby signed a two-year extension carrying a mean annual worth of $8.7M, tying him to the club by way of the 2026-27 season.
If NHL followers are additionally doing the mathematics, that will see Crosby doubtlessly retire from hockey one yr after his primary league rival Alexander Ovechkin.
The long-time Washington Capital, who’s on a quest to interrupt Corridor of Famer Wayne Gretzky’s common season all-time targets report, has mentioned he would retire when his contract is up in 2026.
What higher storybook sendoff for the league’s two greatest gamers for the higher a part of 20 years, than to dedicate two consecutive years to their respective farewell excursions?
Ovechkin and Crosby have been each chosen first total on the 2004 and 2005 NHL Drafts, respectively. Since then, the 2 have continuously dueled on the ice and of their profession stats classes.
Crosby has gained three Stanley Cup championships to Ovechkin’s one however the Russian is galaxies forward in career goals (853-592). The Canadian, identified affectionately as “The Child,” is 96 factors forward of Ovechkin — due partially to his depraved skill to help teammates’ purpose scoring.
The 2 lately shaped a friendship after the early years of fierce enmity on the ice. Ovechkin told reporters at the 2023 All-Star Game that he is wanting ahead to celebrating each of their careers collectively upon their respective exits from hockey.
“I’m fairly certain when me and him goes to be retired, we’re going to have a few beers collectively and discuss the entire thing that occurred prior to now 15, 16 years,” he mentioned.
Each gamers are computerized first-ballot Corridor of Famers and deserve prolonged goodbyes to the league they so superbly lifted up with their magnificent taking part in skills.
Like Ovechkin so rightly told The Athletic in 2023, “we saved the NHL.”
