Did Penguins' Sidney Crosby consider trade, future free-agency journey?

Pittsburgh Penguins insider Rob Rossi of The Athletic reported expected news on Monday when he shared that longtime captain Sidney Crosby and the club are confident a new contract "will be agreed upon and formalized soon" amid rumors regarding Crosby's future.

Crosby has one season remaining on his current deal and has been eligible to ink an extension since last Monday.

"Though Crosby extending his fruitful partnership with the Penguins is expected by both sides, he and the team are aware every day that passes without his next contract being announced only serves to build on public speculation that he could test free agency next summer or even be traded," Rossi explained. "Those scenarios were never discussed, the sources said."

Crosby turns 37 years old next month and became the subject of some interesting trade rumors this past winter before the Penguins missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Multiple reporters have since poured cold water over such speculation, but the fact that Crosby hadn't officially put pen to paper on an agreement had some wondering if he was experiencing any second thoughts considering individuals such as The Athletic's Josh Yohe have made it clear Penguins president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas has the organization "in transition" this summer.

"Crosby reaffirmed to Dubas what he has repeatedly stated publicly — that he wants to finish his career with the Penguins, who selected him No. 1 in 2005," Rossi said about offseason conversations between the two. "The potential deal is being viewed by both sides as 'a commitment to Pittsburgh,' a team and league source said."

Specifically, Rossi revealed that Crosby could ultimately sign "a deal within a range of three years and potentially an average annual value of $10M." Such a contract would allow the three-time Stanley Cup champion to play alongside center Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang through the ends of their Penguins careers.

Per Wes Crosby of the NHL's website, those club icons became the longest-tenured trio of teammates in the history of North American professional sports back in October 2023.

Some will say that the Penguins should blow things up and begin a full rebuild as soon as possible because their window to win another title with Crosby, Malkin and Letang on the roster is already slammed shut.

Such individuals may be correct, but Crosby undeniably has earned the right to go out on his terms when he's ready and with what's been the only NHL home of his Hall of Fame career.