Pittsburgh Penguins famous person captain Sidney Crosby stays on observe to grow to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1 of subsequent yr however mentioned at a media event on Monday he is “fairly optimistic” he’ll signal an extension with the membership.
Crosby turned 37 years previous in August and beforehand steered he would name time on his enjoying profession earlier than he celebrated his fortieth birthday. It feels like he is skilled a minimum of considerably of a change of coronary heart relating to that topic.
“I do not wish to look too far forward,” Crosby mentioned throughout the newest version of Sportsnet’s “32 Thoughts” podcast. “To foretell that now’s not possible, however I’d say I am extra open to attending to that time [of playing at age 40].”
Crosby pushed for the Penguins to re-sign middle Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang a few summers in the past, they usually turned the longest-tenured trio of teammates in North American skilled sports activities historical past final October. Nonetheless, the growing older Penguins missed the playoffs in back-to-back years earlier than staff president/normal supervisor Kyle Dubas started a obligatory roster rebuild forward of the upcoming marketing campaign.
“I wish to see what separates groups that make it and groups that do not,” Crosby mentioned about following the Stanley Cup Playoffs this previous spring. “It isn’t actually a variety of enjoyable watching the playoffs. You wish to discover a strategy to get again there.”
As of early Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Penguins at +120 odds to make the playoffs subsequent spring. Such forecasts coupled with Crosby’s curious lack of an extension understandably have some wondering if he may enable himself to grow to be a rental for a contender early subsequent yr after which re-sign with the Penguins in July 2025.
“The largest factor after I take into consideration our staff is our tradition,” Crosby mentioned concerning the Penguins nonetheless with the ability to compete for Stanley Cup titles with their “large three” on the roster.
That is all properly and good, however nervous Pittsburgh followers will not really feel higher about Crosby’s short-term future till an extension is confirmed by each events.