The Penguins find themselves in a challenging position. While the veteran players want to make the most of their remaining time together to pursue victory, the organization lacks high-quality prospects. It might be tempting for Kyle Dubas to overhaul the team completely.
The future direction of the organization could heavily depend on Sidney Crosby. Keep in mind that Crosby will enter the final year of his contract next season ($8.7 million).
He will likely demand a higher salary for his remaining years, but can the Penguins afford it?
Delaying a rebuilding process could have long-lasting repercussions for the organization. Crosby certainly brings value, but if the Penguins choose to keep him, it’s because they believe they can win the Stanley Cup by 2028, assuming his contract is extended for three more years.
Voici quelques scénarios de ce qui pourrait arriver 🧐https://t.co/vO94mRwmMm
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) April 25, 2024
Journal de Québec journalist Kevin Dubé playfully imagined two scenarios to illustrate the situation.
In the first scenario, the captain concludes his career in Pittsburgh, leaving Kyle Dubas with a roster burdened by aging player contracts. The second scenario involves Crosby agreeing to a trade to aid in the Penguins’ rebuilding process.
Realistically, it’s hard to imagine Crosby wearing another team’s uniform. Moreover, he has expressed his desire to finish his career in Pittsburgh. However, it’s worth noting that Rob Rossi of The Athletic has reported that there haven’t been any discussions between Crosby and the Penguins yet.
An update on Sidney Crosby’s next contract and other offseason tidbits about @penguins in this story for @TheAthleticNHL https://t.co/g8LKEbAPlt
— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) April 24, 2024
Pittsburgh doesn’t possess the same firepower it once did for a deep playoff run. With Jake Guentzel gone and the core aging, Dubas and Crosby might need to reassess their stance and give serious thought to a trade. However, will the strong mutual affection between them prevent this? Only time will tell.
