The thing I don't understand with the Crosby negotiations is, if it really is term that is holding things up and NOT money, then why??? He is signed for this year, so even if he only wants one year, give it to him. If he wants 5 years, give it to him. Anything in between, give it to him.
The report that term is holding things up has to be wrong. It is a no-brainer to sign him to as long or as short of an extension as he wants.
What makes zero sense is going through yet another season of uncertainty with a pending UFA. Sure, we made a good trade at the deadline for Guentzel, but is it a coincidence that we played a lot better at the end of the season without 59 than with him? Sure, there were a few rough games right after the deadline, but I think the team was still in shock. Afterwards, they really played well. And that was with this coach, with a bad PP, with a bad assistant coach, with the backup goaltender, and with a few injuries.
Just get the deal done. He (Crosby) is the reason Malkin and Letang are still here. He is unfortunately probably one of the reasons why Sullivan is still here. He is also the reason for our current plan of adding youth while trying to stay competitive. The last thing we need is for Crosby to go all Hollywood Hogan on us and leave. Just like Mark Messier did with NYR back in the day, one year after convincing Gretzky to join him.