I'm glad that with the Isles dismantling their identity line that you can still find a NY team to root for.
- Tojo.

Trouba, Trochek, Laf, Rempe, Miller. Not Wussy’s.

Trouba, Trochek, Laf, Rempe, Miller. Not Wussy’s.
- Grinder47

This is what we call a double down haha

Remember when Rob Rossi said Sid signing was basically about to happen any minute...like almost 2 months ago? hahah...what a f'n a$$hat he is and always will be....from Eilliot Friedman:

"32 Thoughts: The Podcast

CROSBY IN NO RUSH TO SIGN WITH PENGUINS

Among the elite players fast approaching free agency, perhaps none have more uncertainty than Sidney Crosby.

Players like Mikko Rantanen in Colorado or Connor McDavid in Edmonton — both set to enter free agency in 2025 and 2026, respectively — have a more-or-less clear futures with their respective club. Rantanen is on a former Stanley Cup-winning squad with the Avalanche and McDavid heads up a perennial contender in the Oilers.

Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins, however, are at a bit of an impasse.

No longer the same elite overall squad as Pittsburgh was with back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning rosters in 2016 and '17, the team has an aging lineup. While the Penguins still been on the playoff bubble the past two years, that may not be the case for much longer.

With Crosby eligible to sign an extension at any time, Friedman believes that the Penguins placed the ball firmly in their captain's court regarding a new contract.

"I think the Penguins are like, this is Sidney Crosby. He has the right to make a decision as he sees fit," Friedman said. "I think they've made him a bunch of different offers."

Given that the Penguins have presented Crosby with multiple offers, each with different terms, Friedman believes his decision to push back a decision may be related to the direction the Penguins are going.

"(GM) Kyle Dubas sent a signal in the off-season, he made some interesting bets on guys like Cody Glass ... But I think that he's sending a signal with the trade of (Jake) Guentzel that, as much as anything else, they have to try to rebuild a little bit. Whether it's a rebuild on the fly or whatever you want to call it, they have to start building up the pipeline and the youth."

Crosby is still very much an elite player, coming off a 42-goal — the 12th 30-plus goal campaign of his career — and 94-point season at 37 years old and has three career Stanley Cups under his belt.

Until the future Hall of Famer makes a decision, the question remains: Will he be a Penguin for life, or will he chase one more chance at victory?"

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...rt-on-penguins-extension/

This will be a major distraction all season, or up until signing if he does at all, if Sid doesn't sign an extension before this season starts....doesn't seem like a Sid move to hold out and not let the organization know one way or another....I could be wrong though...

This will be a major distraction all season, or up until signing if he does at all, if Sid doesn't sign an extension before this season starts....doesn't seem like a Sid move to hold out and not let the organization know one way or another....I could be wrong though...
- MattStrat

Dude has every right to take his time. He’s given everything for an organization that did very little to protect him his whole career. As sad as it would be, I’d be just fine watching Sid on the playoffs on a team that has his back.

Dude has every right to take his time. He’s given everything for an organization that did very little to protect him his whole career. As sad as it would be, I’d be just fine watching Sid on the playoffs on a team that has his back.
- Grinder47

Totally agree. Doesn't change what I said, though.

This will be a major distraction all season, or up until signing if he does at all, if Sid doesn't sign an extension before this season starts....doesn't seem like a Sid move to hold out and not let the organization know one way or another....I could be wrong though...
- MattStrat

There is probably a lot going on behind the scenes we hear nothing about.

Remember this, while they are still the Penguins, there is nothing the new ownership has done that should have Sid owing any loyalty to them... this isnt the Lemieux/Burkle ownership that was all in on winning. FSG/Dubas are all in on profitability.

I expect that Dubas has tried to spin to Sid that they are going to try to make a run for a cup if they are competitive by the deadline. The fact that Crosby hasnt signed an extension yet is a clear signal that he wants to win and isnt confident it can happen in Pittsburgh.

This is the same reason Letang explored a trade to Montreal last season. Crosby owes the Penguins organization ZERO and he doesnt owe them any heads up on his plans. Frankly, he is probably unsure of how he wants to proceed through the balance of his career.

There is probably a lot going on behind the scenes we hear nothing about.

Remember this, while they are still the Penguins, there is nothing the new ownership has done that should have Sid owing any loyalty to them... this isnt the Lemieux/Burkle ownership that was all in on winning. FSG/Dubas are all in on profitability.

I expect that Dubas has tried to spin to Sid that they are going to try to make a run for a cup if they are competitive by the deadline. The fact that Crosby hasnt signed an extension yet is a clear signal that he wants to win and isnt confident it can happen in Pittsburgh.

This is the same reason Letang explored a trade to Montreal last season. Crosby owes the Penguins organization ZERO and he doesnt owe them any heads up on his plans. Frankly, he is probably unsure of how he wants to proceed through the balance of his career.
- MacPatty

There is DEFINITELY more going on behind the scenes of a sports organization (and it's locker room)than we will ever know.

I think for Sid its more of a how much longer does he want to play/sign for decision than anything to do with the team and its direction and/or current roster...but could be a bit of both...

Robb Rossi is garbage. He's the least trustworthy sportswriter in Pittsburgh.

I'm fine with Sid wanting to chase cups. At his age, he won't get a do-over. He's hyper competitive. Can't blame him one bit if he doesn't want to be a chaperone.

This is why I was questioning Dubas's off-season. Just seemed like poor timing to switch into rebuild mode if you want to keep your franchise player interested.

There is DEFINITELY more going on behind the scenes of a sports organization (and it's locker room)than we will ever know.

I think for Sid its more of a how much longer does he want to play/sign for decision than anything to do with the team and its direction and/or current roster.
- MattStrat

While you are probably right, don't discount the "Legacy" aspect.

It is not completely out of the question that he could pass Jagr for 2nd most points of all time and further, be only the 2nd even player to hit 2,000 points. Super outside shot but possible if he is playing for the right team.

He has 3 Stanley Cups, there are plenty of teams he could go to an instantly make them favorites to win. Not unthinkable that he could get two more if he picked his spot.

Connor McDavid is for sure going to have the scoring edge at the end of the day with how the game has changed. One major leg up Crosby could have on him is if he went somewhere in Canada and won a cup for them before McDavid wins one in Edmonton. Ive said it before, but if Crosby went to Montreal and won a cup there to end his career, it would be the most legendary thing in hockey history.

If we arent going all in to win at the end of Sid/Letang/Malkins career, I am hoping that Crosby walks as a free agent and signs with Montreal or Colorado. The really spiteful part of me would like to see him leave and sign with Toronto as a FA to spite Dubas.

I still find it hard to believe Crosby would leave. Would be a pretty bold move if he gets Letang/Malkin locked up for the rest of their careers just for Sid to leave as free agent.

But clearly we are making a move for McDavid in 2026. Crosby is going to hold off on making a deal so we have more money to work with to get McDavid locked up.



But in all seriousness, i wonder if Crosby's decision is based on what Malkin/Letang do at the end of the season. Letang has aged the most of them and Malkin could be retiring next summer. I could see Crosby rethink his plan if both guys are retiring at the end of the year.

While you are probably right, don't discount the "Legacy" aspect.

It is not completely out of the question that he could pass Jagr for 2nd most points of all time and further, be only the 2nd even player to hit 2,000 points. Super outside shot but possible if he is playing for the right team.

He has 3 Stanley Cups, there are plenty of teams he could go to an instantly make them favorites to win. Not unthinkable that he could get two more if he picked his spot.

Connor McDavid is for sure going to have the scoring edge at the end of the day with how the game has changed. One major leg up Crosby could have on him is if he went somewhere in Canada and won a cup for them before McDavid wins one in Edmonton. Ive said it before, but if Crosby went to Montreal and won a cup there to end his career, it would be the most legendary thing in hockey history.

If we arent going all in to win at the end of Sid/Letang/Malkins career, I am hoping that Crosby walks as a free agent and signs with Montreal or Colorado. The really spiteful part of me would like to see him leave and sign with Toronto as a FA to spite Dubas.
- MacPatty

It would be gross negligence on Dubas's part if Sid walks for nothing.

I still find it hard to believe Crosby would leave. Would be a pretty bold move if he gets Letang/Malkin locked up for the rest of their careers just for Sid to leave as free agent.

But clearly we are making a move for McDavid in 2026. Crosby is going to hold off on making a deal so we have more money to work with to get McDavid locked up.



But in all seriousness, i wonder if Crosby's decision is based on what Malkin/Letang do at the end of the season. Letang has aged the most of them and Malkin could be retiring next summer. I could see Crosby rethink his plan if both guys are retiring at the end of the year.
- SuperHenderson13

I actually think its Geno that has aged the most as of last season. Tanger had his 2nd most points total in the last 5 seasons, last season. Yes, he finally played in all 82 game last season but I still don't think he looked aged in the games...not like Geno did at times.

EDIT: the only other time Tanger played 82 games was the 2009/2010 season...22/23 years old... and he had 2 less goals/1 less point than last season...37 years old

It would be gross negligence on Dubas's part if Sid walks for nothing.
- madmike71

He is not a good GM and he has kept people from walking by paying them way above market value in the past. I dont think its a money thing for Sid. If they are in the playoff race at the deadline do you think they are going to go out on their own and trade Sid if he hasnt outright requested it?

Dubas hasnt earned any benefit of the doubt over his career.

I still find it hard to believe Crosby would leave. Would be a pretty bold move if he gets Letang/Malkin locked up for the rest of their careers just for Sid to leave as free agent.

But clearly we are making a move for McDavid in 2026. Crosby is going to hold off on making a deal so we have more money to work with to get McDavid locked up.



But in all seriousness, i wonder if Crosby's decision is based on what Malkin/Letang do at the end of the season. Letang has aged the most of them and Malkin could be retiring next summer. I could see Crosby rethink his plan if both guys are retiring at the end of the year.
- SuperHenderson13

I mentioned earlier that Letang was in discussions to be traded to Montreal during last season. I think the 3 of them have discussed things and are probably adult enough to make their own decisions.

Remember, when those guys signed, the commitment was to winning with the Pens. If the ownership group has given up on them, they should have no reservations about doing what is in their individual best interest. There is no honor in fading into obscurity at the end of their careers.