Report: Penguins Looking to Extend Sidney Crosby

PITTSBURGH – There has been a lot of speculation and curiosity surrounding Sidney Crosby’s willingness to stick around with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team isn’t getting much better, but Crosby still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Analysts, mostly of Canadian descent, have been pleading for Crosby to find a way out of Pittsburgh and continue fighting for Stanley Cups elsewhere.

Those analysts may not get their wish as extension talks may already be taking place between the Penguins and Crosby. According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, a contract extension is expected this upcoming July 1.

“There’s already talk of a Sidney Crosby extension coming in July,” Pagnotta wrote. “The Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t going through a rebuild. Not yet. They’ll be active this summer trying to retool on the fly.”

2024-25 will be the final season of Crosby’s 12-year deal he signed in 2012 that earns him $8.7 million against the salary cap. With just a year remaining, Crosby will be eligible to sign an extension when free agency opens on July 1, and it’s likely he puts pen to paper.

Crosby will be 37 when the 2024-25 season begins, but he still appears to be playing elite hockey. In 67 games this year, he has scored 33 goals and 35 assists for 68 total points.

A new contract for Crosby would kick in when he turns 38, but he’s someone worth keeping around for the long haul. Crosby's next contract will likely take him to the end of his career and he doesn't appear to have any plans of leaving Pittsburgh. No matter where the team goes in the standings, expect Crosby to be there leading the way.