Sidney Crosby isn’t going anywhere – at least not if the Pittsburgh Penguins have anything to say about it.
The team’s GM Kyle Dubas made that crystal clear Thursday, responding to recent speculation about Crosby’s future with the only NHL team he’s ever known.
“We have to focus on doing what’s right for the Pittsburgh Penguins,” Dubas said during a press conference. “I knew when I signed up for this job that this likely was going to be a part of it.”
The drama started when Crosby’s agent Pat Brisson suggested earlier this month that his superstar client might eventually consider requesting a trade as the Penguins rebuild their roster.
Crosby himself shut down that talk on Monday.
“This is where I want to be,” the future Hall of Famer said simply.
It’s been a tough year in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are sitting in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, and oddsmakers give them just a +600 chance of making the playoffs.
But Dubas isn’t worried about outside noise – even when it comes to persistent rumors linking Crosby to his hometown Montreal Canadiens.
“We want a team that can contend for the Stanley Cup year in and year out, regardless of what different media members want or where they want to see Sid play,” Dubas said.
The big question is whether the Penguins can become contenders again before Crosby hangs up his skates. He turned 38 in August, but his agent recently compared him to Tom Brady, who won a Super Bowl MVP at 43.
Dubas thinks that comparison might not be far off.
“I wouldn’t put any timeline on Sid to stop being himself,” he said. “No one puts into it more than he does.”
There’s still plenty of time to figure things out. Crosby’s contract runs through 2027, though some wonder if he’ll want to finish his career elsewhere if the Penguins’ rebuild takes too long.
For now, both player and team seem focused on making it work in Pittsburgh – the only NHL city Crosby has called home.
