Crosby's still got it...he should request a trade to a contender

[StlBigFly]

At the end of the day, I don't think many teams are able and willing to give the Pens what Sid is really worth. We are talking multiple 1st, 2nds and 2-3 grade A prospects

Colorado - Receives Crosby

Flames (or similar) - Receieve Middelstadt

Penguins - receive an A tier prospect from Colorado, B+ tier from Calgary and Colorado, picks from each team, a cap dump possibly from Calgary.

Calgary pays a B+ prospect, maybe a cap dump, and whatever picks needed to make it balance for a center with 3 years of term. They should kind of end up getting hooked up, whoever would be in this leg of the trade. It would be a team focused on the future being asked to part with its future: they aren’t giving the good stuff, and Middlestadt isn’t exactly a hot commodity.

Colorado pays a center, an A tier and B+ tier prospect and whatever picks needed to make it balance for Crosby.

Seems viable.

My belief is Crosby isn’t just going to waive for whatever, it’s going to be an isolated case or two if that’s what he chooses to do. There won’t be a ton of trade leverage but the deal won’t happen unless it’s reasonably fair for the penguins. I think 3 total prospects, at least a 1st in there for sure from one of the two trade partners, and some other picks is a good haul.

 

[BHD]

I love Jake Guentzel but crazy to think Crosby only had a Mark Stone level individual talent on his wing for like 30 games in Hossa.

Hossa is the first player I thought of when I saw him playing with Stone.

 

[BHD]

Who is Colorado's best prospect?

 

[Sky04]

One team guy culture is toxic

If you have the mentality of a 12 year old, yes.

 

[MXD]

Crosby should stay in Pitt. Ovi should stay in Washington. It’s still weird that Marty went and played for St. Louis at the end of his career

It would've been even weirder if the Marty you're referring to was, you know, Marty St-Louis.

 

[Drumman44]

Counterpoint: Pens should do everything in their power to surround Crosby with talent.

 

[StlBigFly]

Who is Colorado's best prospect?

I personally would prefer Cal Ritchie as a Blues fan. He was Colorados first pick in 2023. Seems like a guy you would want in a group. But he is a very late first and I’m not sure what his projection is. it kinda maybe makes the deal wonky in my opinion, but if Crosby wakes up and decides “I’m going to Colorado” then what Colorado has is kinda…I hope the penguins like some of it. Whatever they like they’re gonna get - Colorado doesn’t have the pedigree of prospect to say no.

 

[WarriorofTime]

If you have the mentality of a 12 year old, yes.

how so

 

[1specter]

Honestly dude belongs in Colorado. It's a match made in heaven.

 

[JKG33]

Well that’s just a dumb argument. It means something to him to play for one franchise. If things get bad enough, he’ll retire.

Obviously he can do what he wants, but as a hockey fan it's sad to see one of the best to ever do it waste away his last few productive years as a 80-90 point player on a team circling the drain.

Having a few more 100 point seasons and another cup or two on a team like Colorado or Vegas would do a lot more for his legacy.

 

[crazy8888]

I don't see why he should ask for a trade. He has been the face of the team for 20+ years. Won 3 Stanley Cups and numerous awards. That's a heck of a career if you ask me. Why bail now? Why chase a 4th cup with a team that he has absolutely no connection with?

I think he should retire a Penguin.

 

[Cypruss]

Jets can give up a 1st, Barlow, 5th rounder, and Heinola for Crosby this year.

With a wink wink nod nod between the two GM's that regardless of what happens in the playoffs this season, he is traded back to the Penguins - for a 5th rounder - to resume his career in Pittsburgh in the off season.

 

[SomeDude]

Obviously he can do what he wants, but as a hockey fan it's sad to see one of the best to ever do it waste away his last few productive years as a 80-90 point player on a team circling the drain.

Having a few more 100 point seasons and another cup or two on a team like Colorado or Vegas would do a lot more for his legacy.

This again is dumb. The man has won everything there is to win. Nobody cares that he didn’t get to play for your favorite team.

 

[surixon]

Crosby has earned the right to do what he wants to do with the end of his career.

 

[thegazelle]

Maybe this is a contrarian perspective, but I find it refreshing nowadays that players WANT to stay with the same team their whole careers, through thick and thin. I personally think there is virtue in this, in that it shows an unwavering commitment to the team that put its faith and resources in that player as well as the corresponding fanbase.

I know a number of people may disagree and want him on a "contender" to chase cups, but to me this is not unlike a long standing marriage where mutual commitment, self-sacrifice and loyalty were once held up as the standard. Nowadays, anyone can just get divorced because they "feel" like they need more excitement or finding someone who gives them what they want, etc. rather than honour the commitment to their spouse.

I do realize that hockey is not the same level as a marriage covenant, and that contracts come and contracts go, but it's like seeing someone at a job for their whole career - and I am not talking about lifers who coast at jobs, but someone who really appreciates the commitment their company made to them. I do realize in this day and age, companies don't think that way anymore (unfortunately) but I still admire those who will remain with a company through the good and bad and are willing to reciprocate the same commitment.

Of course, if Pittsburgh doesn't want him, that's another story, but honestly, it is so refreshing to hear Crosby indicate that he would like to stay a Penguin for life, unlike some of these players in all sports that demands trades and gives their teams a list of where they want to go. Seems like Crosby has always set the standard for professionalism, keeping his nose clean and growing to be a great ambassador of the game.

And this from a person who hated Crosby when he first came into the league. He has gained my respect through his consistent high level play, shows a commitment to conditioning and maintaining his physical abilities, and being a great ambassador for the league, never having off-ice antics or doing anything to embarrass his team or the league. I look forward to seeing him retire as a Penguin, after a storied career for the ages.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

People who think he wants to leave Pittsburgh don't understand how Sid thinks. Dude has already accomplished everything there is to accomplish in this sport. The last thing on the list is to be a lifetime penguin.

 

[Khelandros]

At the end of the day, I don't think many teams are able and willing to give the Pens what Sid is really worth. We are talking multiple 1st, 2nds and 2-3 grade A prospects

People need to realize that any trade involving Crosby to a contender, will potentially gut a team and turn them into an also ran.

 

[KevinRedkey]

Serious question.... Is there anyone ahead of Crosby all time, that he could surpass (within reason/realistically)?

 

[Turin]

Or: he can win this tournament, another Olympic gold and another World Cup by the time the Pens are done rebuilding.

 

[kris]

I think he's waiting on the pens ownership group stuff to settle. If he can get a share of the team if he sticks around (ala Mario) it'd be worth a lot more than potentially getting another cup run.

What that type of deal would look like, I'm not sure. I know the ownership is in flux at the moment.

 

[Turin]

The Stone goal is a snapshot of what he can still do with elite players.

I mean Rakell and Karlsson were plenty good for Sweden and Sid plays with them

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Crosby and McDavid both make their way to Montreal at the end of the 2026 season to bring the Cup back to its rightful home

Demidov - McDavid - Caufield
Slafkovsky - Crosby - Suzuki

Don’t worry about the D, let’s go

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Crosby and McDavid both make their way to Montreal at the end of the 2026 season to bring the Cup back to its rightful home

Demidov - McDavid - Caufield
Slafkovsky - Crosby - Suzuki

Don’t worry about the D, let’s go

And the Habs didn't trade anyone to acquire them. amazing!!

 

[Romang67]

This isn't a Bourque situation. Crosby is a 3 time cup winner with the Penguins. If he expressed that he wanted a chance at all 4th cup, sure, but it doesn't sound like he particularly care about that above playing out his last few years with the Penguins.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Serious question.... Is there anyone ahead of Crosby all time, that he could surpass (within reason/realistically)?

He's 9th all time in points right now and playing at a +PPG pace. With two years left on his deal after this one there's a chance he can get another 200 points and pass Gordie Howe for 4th all time (1850) or maybe even Messier for 3rd all time (1887).

Selfishly I'd love to see him play with some real talent to close out his career but him having another couple 100 point seasons and winning another Cup wouldn't change much of his perception for me. I think he's the best player the league has seen since Mario retired.