September 9, 2024 | 6:15pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
CROSBY EXPECTS NEW CONTRACT BY START OF SEASON
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
Sidney Crosby, centre
Sidney Crosby is in the final year of his 12-year, $104.4 million contract and speculation over his future with the Pittsburgh Penguins has gained attention his off-season.
Last week, during the “32 Thoughts” podcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that he felt Crosby was going to eventually sign an extension with the Penguins but was not currently in a rush to do so.
“I honestly believe the Penguins have made him multiple offers. I haven’t heard that he was ‘insulted’ by any of the offers. I don’t think it’s about that,” Friedman said.
“(Penguins GM Kyle) Dubas sent a signal in the off-season. I think that he’s sending a signal, with the trade of Guentzel, that as much as anything else, they have to try to rebuild a little bit. Whether it’s a rebuild on the fly or whatever you want to call it, they have to start building up the pipeline and the youth. To me, one thing I wonder, is if Crosby is simply sitting here saying, ‘I’ve got no problem with the offers. I’ve got no problem with the Penguins. If we’re not going to be making the playoffs, am I going to be able to handle that?’ And I think that’s one of the things he’s kind of weighing.”
Friedman couldn’t put a timeline as to when a new contract could be ironed out or the type of deal Crosby was likely to agree upon.
Around the NHL Draft and into July, TFP’s David Pagnotta reported an extension between the Penguins and their captain was likely, at some point, and could hover around a three-year term.
On Monday, during the NHL/NHLPA Players Media Tour, Crosby addressed his status with the media and told reporters he is “pretty optimistic” a deal will be finalized by the start of the season.
During an appearance on Sportsnet960’s “Big Show” in Calgary earlier in the day, Pagnotta said Crosby’s next deal will come in at a higher AAV than his current $8.7 million.
Crosby on signing a new deal with Penguins: "I'm pretty optimistic it's going to get done. It's been really positive. Hasn't been a difficult process."
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) September 9, 2024
Sidney Crosby told reporters here in Las Vegas at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour he's "pretty optimistic" an contract extension will get done before the start of the season.
— Joshua Clipperton (@JClipperton_CP) September 9, 2024
"I don't know what day, specifically."
“I’m pretty optimistic it’s going to get done,” Crosby said today. “It’s been really positive. Hasn’t been a difficult process.”
It is unclear what type of dollars Crosby and his agent Pat Brisson are asking for on a multi-year extension, but after putting up back-to-back 90+ point seasons, it is clear his production has not diminished.
In 82 games with the Penguins last season, Crosby scored 42 goals and added 52 assists for 94 points. It was only the third time in his NHL career that he surpassed 40 goals in one season.