Athletic insider Rob Rossi has assured Penguins fans that there’s no need to worry, as Sidney Crosby’s contract extension is expected to happen soon.
Last week, reports suggested that the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby would wait until his 37th birthday to announce a contract extension. However, the day passed with only a birthday message for Crosby posted on social media, leaving fans anxious. With no news of a contract, panic began to set in, but insider Rob Rossi offered a comforting explanation.
“Crosby’s 37th birthday was never the target date for a new deal, and both he and the team remain confident that an extension will be signed,” Rossi shared, citing multiple Penguins and league sources. He added that Crosby has informed close friends of his intention to re-sign with the Penguins. While Crosby, his agent Pat Brisson, and Penguins’ hockey president and general manager Kyle Dubas are largely in agreement on the contract details, Crosby’s main focus this offseason has been on preparing for the upcoming season. There are “no issues at all” between Crosby and the Penguins. The delay in contract talks has sparked trade rumors, particularly after the Penguins missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Despite the delay, multiple league sources confirm that Crosby wishes to remain in Pittsburgh and retire as a Penguin. However, the longer it takes for Crosby to sign a new contract, the more anxiety builds among fans, who fear he could change his mind. Penguins supporters are urged to stay calm, as Crosby’s contract situation will eventually be resolved. Still, delays naturally lead to uncertainty and concern.
Rossi also pointed out that Crosby’s previous two contracts counted only $8.7M against the cap, providing the Penguins with his services at a perceived discount for the past 16 seasons. Crosby is uncertain about how much longer he wants to play and doesn’t want to put the Penguins in a difficult position if he signs a longer deal and can’t fulfill it entirely, a source close to Crosby revealed.
Although it’s still summer and Crosby has one year left on his current contract, fans and the team hope to finalize a deal before Labor Day, as entering training camp with an unsigned extension can be a distraction.
Sidney Crosby, who has played 1,272 NHL games—all with the Penguins—has scored 592 goals and contributed 1,004 assists. Losing him would be a significant blow to both the team and its fans.