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Evgeni Malkin is expected to play his final season with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2025–26, but the bigger question on fans’ minds is: what about Sidney Crosby?
According to ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, if the Penguins struggle early in the season, there’s a real chance Crosby could be traded before the year ends. It’s a bold idea, but not entirely far-fetched.
For years, there’s been speculation about whether Penguins GM Kyle Dubas would eventually hit the reset button. The team hasn’t made the playoffs in the past few seasons and hasn’t gone beyond the first round since winning the Stanley Cup in 2017. Many believe it’s time to rebuild from the ground up.
But here’s the challenge, Crosby, Malkin, and Kris Letang are still wearing black and gold. As long as that legendary trio is in the lineup, it’s hard to tell them, “We’re done chasing Cups.”
That said, the reality is starting to hit. The team’s performance has slipped, and the glory days seem further away each year. If things go south again this fall, Crosby, who has two years left on his contract at $8.7 million per year, might choose to move on. And if he does, he could help the Penguins by allowing them to trade him for valuable assets rather than just walking away later.
Teams like the Montreal Canadiens or Colorado Avalanche could be logical landing spots, but there’s always a chance a surprise team jumps into the mix.
Crosby has always expressed loyalty to Pittsburgh, and the idea of him finishing his career anywhere else feels strange. But the NHL is a business, and sometimes even the most iconic careers take unexpected turns, especially if it helps both the player and the team in the long run.