A leading NHL analyst recently made a surprising statement, predicting that Sidney Crosby will lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to the playoffs again, defying the widespread belief that the team’s best days are behind them.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, once a dominant force in the NHL with 16 consecutive playoff appearances, have now missed the postseason for two straight seasons. This decline has sparked doubts about whether the aging core, led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, can still contend for the Stanley Cup as their careers near their end. With one year left on his contract, Crosby is eligible for an extension, and many expect him to re-sign, committing his entire NHL career to the Penguins. However, this raises important questions about his legacy: Will Crosby make another playoff run, or will his career conclude without another postseason appearance?
TSN analyst Frank Corrado is optimistic, suggesting that Crosby and the Penguins could return to the playoffs as soon as the upcoming season. Despite recent struggles, Corrado believes Pittsburgh still has the potential to compete for the Stanley Cup, especially with other teams in the Metropolitan Division failing to impress him.
“It’s hard to imagine Sidney Crosby not playing in the playoffs with the Penguins in ‘now or never’ mode,” Corrado stated. “This year, the Metro is more open. Aside from the Rangers, and the Devils needing a big step forward, the Islanders aren’t too exciting, Carolina might regress, and the Capitals are trying to improve. The Penguins could still be in that mix.”
Even if the Penguins miss the playoffs again in 2025, it doesn’t necessarily signal the end for Crosby. An extension is expected before training camp, which could give him a few more years to guide the team back to the playoffs. The clock may be ticking, but as long as Crosby is on the ice, the Penguins will keep aiming for championships. Crosby wouldn’t settle for anything less.
“They might have a chance,” Corrado said. “It’s now or never for the Penguins, but with Crosby potentially playing a few more years, we might see him in the playoffs one more time as a Penguin.”
Sidney Crosby, the first overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Penguins, has played 1,272 games, all with Pittsburgh, scoring 592 goals and 1,004 assists for 1,596 points. He’s also a three-time Stanley Cup champion, cementing an illustrious career so far.