NHL Analyst Hints At Penguins' Sidney Crosby's Short-Term Future

As unbelievable as it sounds, the Pittsburgh Penguins are enduring one of the worst periods in recent franchise history after failing to make the playoffs on back-to-back seasons after getting there 16 consecutive times.

With the team's core led by Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, and Evgeni Malkin aging, some analysts and fans have started to doubt the Penguins' chances of competing for the Stanley Cup before Crosby hangs his skates.

TSN analyst Frank Corrado is not one of those doubters, however, and the pundit remains optimistic about the Penguins' chances of returning to the playoffs as soon as next season.

Corrado appeared on TSN's Hot Or Not on August 28 and suggested that Crosby, who has one year left on his current contract and is expected to re-sign with Pittsburgh, could still lead the team back to the postseason.

“It’s hard to believe that in ‘now or never mode’ we are not going to see Sidney Crosby playing in the playoffs as a member of the Penguins,” Corrado said.

Corrado believes that within the Metropolitan Division, outside of top teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers, no other team poses a real threat to Pittsburgh when it comes to making and advancing in the playoffs.

“The Metro is a little more wide open. Outside of the Rangers, and the Devils need to take a significant step,” Corrado said. “The Islanders aren’t overly exciting. Carolina might take a step back. The Washington Capitals are trying to improve. You can put the Pittsburgh Penguins in that category.”

An extension for Crosby is expected before training camp, but no news has come from inside the organization yet. Corrado made clear that while the clock is ticking, the Penguins still have a chance to reach for success as long as Crosby signs an extension and is on the ice.

“It’s now or never for the Penguins,” Corrado said, “But with Sidney Crosby maybe playing for a few more years, we might see him in the playoffs one more time as a Penguin.”

Related: Penguins Insider Reveals Possible Sidney Crosby Trade Package