Sidney Crosby signs two-year extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins that runs through 2026-27 season

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby is looking to finish what he started in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins star signed a two-year contract extension on Monday that runs through the 2026-27 season. The deal, which carries an average annual value of $8.7 million, would keep Crosby in Pittsburgh until nearly his 40th birthday.

The deal comes on the eve of Crosby's 20th training camp with the Penguins, who took him with the first overall pick in the 2005 draft. Crosby had been eligible to sign an extension on July 1. While talks dragged on longer than expected, Crosby said last week he was “pretty optimistic” about something getting done before the season began.

The 37-year-old Crosby, a three-time Stanley Cup winner and two-time league MVP, didn't ask for a raise even though he remains one of the most productive players in the NHL. Crosby led the Penguins in goals (42), assists (52) and points (94) last season, well clear of the rest of an underachieving club that missed the playoffs for a second straight year.

“Sidney is the greatest player of his generation and one of the greatest players in the history of the game,” general manager Kyle Dubas said in a statement. "His actions today show why he is one of hockey’s greatest winners and leaders. Sid is making a tremendous personal sacrifice in an effort to help the Penguins win, both now and in the future, as he has done for his entire career.”

Crosby's salary staying flat gives the Penguins a little more wiggle room as the NHL's oldest team tries to figure out a way to get back into contention.

“His dedication to the Penguins through 2027 ensures that our franchise will have its captain as we go through this phase of our project,” Dubas said. "Sid’s commitment reiterates our urgency to build a team around him that can return our team to contention and provide our players with Sid’s leadership and example of what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin.”

Crosby has played in more games (1,272) than any player in team history and trails only Mario Lemieux in every other major category, including goals (592, 2nd), assists (1,004, 2nd), and points (1,596, 2nd). Crosby will begin the 2024-25 season 10th all-time in league history in points. Last year he became just the second player ever to average at least a point a game in 19 seasons, joining Wayne Gretzky.

The Penguins open training camp on Wednesday and begin the regular season on Oct. 9 at home against the New York Rangers.

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