Pittsburgh Penguins famous person captain Sidney Crosby stays on monitor to grow to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1 of subsequent yr however stated 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 instructed he would name time on his enjoying profession earlier than he celebrated his fortieth birthday. It seems 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 stated in the course of the newest version of Sportsnet’s “32 Thoughts” podcast. “To foretell that now could be inconceivable, 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 heart Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang a few summers in the past, they usually grew to become the longest-tenured trio of teammates in North American skilled sports activities historical past final October. Nevertheless, the growing old Penguins missed the playoffs in back-to-back years earlier than group president/normal supervisor Kyle Dubas started a vital roster rebuild forward of the upcoming marketing campaign.
“I wish to see what separates groups that make it and groups that do not,” Crosby stated about following the Stanley Cup Playoffs this previous spring. “It isn’t actually lots of enjoyable watching the playoffs. You wish to discover a technique 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 might permit 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 group is our tradition,” Crosby stated in regards to the Penguins nonetheless with the ability to compete for Stanley Cup titles with their “huge three” on the roster.
That is all nicely 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.
