Over the weekend, Pittsburgh Put up-Gazette sports activities columnist Jason Mackey famous that the scenario involving celebrity Sidney Crosby is now “much more worrisome” for Pittsburgh Penguins followers than it was even a few weeks in the past as Crosby stays on observe to turn into an unrestricted free agent on July 1 of subsequent 12 months.
For a mailbag printed on Monday, Penguins insider Josh Yohe of The Athletic insisted that Crosby “may be very, very, very a lot above chasing championships” amid whispers suggesting the captain will not be thrilled with the path of the franchise.
“It is a man of integrity and loyalty,” Yohe wrote. “Crosby is 37. He was drafted by the Penguins when he was nonetheless 17. In different phrases, he’s been with the Penguins extra than half of his life and actually all of his grownup life. He’s been the Penguins captain for nearly half of his life.”
Crosby turned the topic of commerce rumors this previous winter earlier than the Penguins missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season and workforce president/basic supervisor Kyle Dubas unofficially started a badly-needed roster rebuild. As of Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook continued to have Pittsburgh at +120 betting odds to qualify for the 2024-25 playoffs.
Yohe and different Penguins reporters have repeatedly stated because the spring that Crosby desires to ultimately retire as a one-club NHL man and that Fenway Sports activities Group, which owns the Penguins, is keen to pay the three-time Stanley Cup champion so he can accomplish that aim. Nevertheless, there was nonetheless no indication as of Monday afternoon that Crosby was near placing pen to paper on any kind of extension with the Penguins.
With all that stated, Yohe hinted that Crosby has causes to need to keep in Pittsburgh that transcend what occurs on the ice.
“We’re already coping with a really loyal human being, somebody who doesn’t take care of change, nearly to the purpose of insanity,” Yohe continued. “Then take into account that enjoying for a Canadian workforce can be insufferable for Crosby, who already has a troublesome time even going to dinner in his native nation.”
Yohe predicted that Dubas might get a 2025 first-round draft decide, a 2026 first-round alternative, a “high prospect” and “a younger NHL participant” for Crosby if the longer term Corridor of Famer agreed to a commerce between now and the center of September. Yohe added that “nobody is speaking about” the likelihood that Crosby desires to play out the ultimate 12 months of his deal after which retire subsequent summer season.
Solely the individuals straight concerned know, for positive, why Crosby hasn’t but signed an extension many anticipated can be introduced over a month in the past. It now appears what was a “nothing-to-see-here” matter as of late July might quickly turn into one of many extra fascinating NHL offseason tales in current reminiscence.
