Sidney Crosby might not be hanging up his skates anytime soon, despite turning 38 and battling a recent injury from the 2026 Olympics. In fact, there’s growing buzz that the Penguins’ captain could play well into his 40s.
“He’s been in a noticeably good mood all season,” reports Josh Yohe of The Athletic. “Presumably because the Penguins are winning, which is all he wants.”
It’s quite a turnaround from last fall, when hockey fans wondered if Crosby might finish his career somewhere else. Back then, even Crosby and his agent hinted at the possibility of a change of scenery as Pittsburgh seemed headed for a rebuild.
But what a difference a season makes.
The Penguins have shocked everyone, sitting in second place in the Metropolitan Division with a solid 34-18-15 record. They’re not just winning – they’re thriving.
Kyle Dubas, the team’s president of hockey operations and GM, has pulled off something pretty special. He’s managed to inject young talent into the lineup while keeping his veteran stars happy.
Speaking of veterans, there’s still the Evgeni Malkin situation to sort out. The Russian star turns 40 this summer and his contract’s up. Getting him to sign a one-year deal might be crucial for keeping Crosby content.
“There’s been a different feeling around the Penguins captain this season,” Yohe notes. “He’s loving this team.”
Crosby’s current deal runs through 2026-27, but here’s the interesting part: people close to him don’t think next season will be his last in the NHL.
“This is where I want to be,” Crosby said back in September. And from the looks of things, that feeling hasn’t changed – even if the Pens somehow miss the playoffs this year.
