The Pittsburgh Penguins and their esteemed captain, Sidney Crosby, are nearing the completion of a fresh contract, as indicated by sources familiar with the negotiations. According to reports from The Athletics’ Rob Rossi, both Crosby and the team are optimistic about finalizing the agreement soon. While specific details of the contract have not been disclosed, estimates suggest it could average around $10 million per season over a three-year period.
Throughout the discussions, Crosby and his long-time agent, Pat Brisson, have maintained confidentiality regarding the specifics of the talks with Penguins’ general manager and president of hockey operations, Kyle Dubas. Sources suggest that Crosby has consistently expressed his intention to finish his career with the Penguins, leading many to believe this deal could take him to retirement or possibly involve subsequent shorter, lower-cost contracts.
Given Crosby’s age, the contract is expected to fall under the “35-plus contract” category. This designation, under the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, implies that the team cannot manipulate the salary cap hit by frontloading the deal or deferring signing bonuses beyond the second season. Crosby, who turns 37 next month, is likely to sign a medium-term deal in terms of years.
Despite the Penguins’ recent playoff absences and a quiet offseason in terms of roster additions by Dubas, Crosby remains committed to the team. His potential contract extension could see him play into his 40s, aligning with Evgeni Malkin’s contract running through the 2025-26 season and the final years of Kris Letang’s current deal.
The extension for Crosby, even as the Penguins are perceived as borderline playoff contenders rather than Stanley Cup favorites, underscores his dedication to the team and his aspiration to contribute to its future achievements.
