As lately as final week, it was suggested that the Pittsburgh Penguins and famous person Sidney Crosby may wait till he turned 37 on Wednesday to announce a contract extension.
The date of 8-7 got here and went with out the Penguins confirming any significant replace about No. 87’s standing. On Thursday, Penguins insider Rob Rossi of The Athletic defined why followers should not be fearful about the place Crosby will name house by the rest of his Corridor of Fame profession.
“Crosby’s thirty seventh birthday was by no means a goal date for a brand new deal that he and the crew stay assured will likely be signed, a number of Penguins and league sources stated,” Rossi shared. “…Crosby has advised shut associates he intends to re-sign with the Penguins and that he, agent Pat Brisson and Penguins hockey president/basic supervisor Kyle Dubas are largely aligned about particulars of a brand new contract; nevertheless, his precedence this offseason has been on coaching for the upcoming season. There are ‘no points in any respect’ between Crosby and the Penguins.”
Whereas Crosby turned the topic of some commerce rumors this previous winter earlier than the Penguins missed the playoffs for a second consecutive 12 months, a number of stories have indicated he nonetheless desires to retire a one-club NHL man. Nonetheless, the truth that he remains within the ultimate 12 months of his present deal continues to boost eyebrows among the many Pittsburgh fanbase, worrying he may expertise a change of coronary heart about that includes for a franchise that is seemingly begun a much-needed roster rebuild.
As of Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Penguins at +120 betting odds to make the playoffs for the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
“Crosby has counted solely $8.7M in opposition to the cap on his previous two contracts, granting the Penguins his companies at a perceived below-market degree for the previous 16 seasons,” Rossi added. “He’s not sure precisely how lengthy he desires to maintain taking part in and ‘doesn’t wish to put (the Penguins) in a nasty spot’ if he indicators an extended deal and doesn’t play it out in full, a supply near Crosby stated.”
Sources near the Penguins need followers to loosen up relating to Crosby’s future. With that stated, Rossi famous that “all events agree {that a} delay in finalizing a brand new contract for Crosby naturally results in hypothesis {that a} deal won’t get carried out.”
The events may finish such hypothesis by finalizing an settlement sooner fairly than later. Additionally they appear in no rush to take action, though they perceive followers are rising a bit uneasy as Labor Day approaches.
