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Elliotte Friedman Predicts Nathan MacKinnon's Move To Recruit Sidney Crosby

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated May 6, 2025 7:13 AM ET

Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon are reuniting on Team Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, and that might only be just the start of a longer relationship between both forwards, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.

Freidman believes Crosby and MacKinnon's partnership could extend beyond international play this spring, as the insider thinks Crosby’s close friend and fellow Nova Scotian won’t waste a minute trying to recruit him to the Colorado Avalanche.

During Monday's episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast, Friedman said MacKinnon will be relentless in trying to convince Crosby about swapping teams over the coming months.

On top of everything, the insider made clear this wasn’t playful speculation and that he wasn't joking when talking about the scenario.

Monday morning 32 Thoughts playoff reaction, news, information and analysis podcast.

Links to your preferred platform, here: https://t.co/io7Mr1QEpm Enjoy!
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 5, 2025

“This is going to be the whole summer,” Friedman said. “First at the World Championships, and then when they get back to Nova Scotia… Nathan will be dragging Sid by the ankle. And I’m not even saying it as a joke. The kid is going to think about this all summer.”

Friedman emphasized how the situation in Pittsburgh, with the Penguins missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season and firing head coach Mike Sullivan, could add urgency to MacKinnon’s pitch.

“You don’t think MacKinnon is going to be all over Crosby saying, want to miss more years in the playoffs? Why don’t you come to Colorado, play with me and we rule the league from the Western Conference?” Friedman said. “When he isn’t going to be saying it, he’s just going to be staring at Crosby burning holes in his head.”

Crosby has only ever played for the Penguins and has repeatedly emphasized his loyalty to the franchise. Still, he agreed to play at the IIHF Worlds this spring and told The Athletic that he wanted to keep his body in rhythm rather than take extended time off.

“Maybe I’ll get tired at some point,” Crosby said. “But when I go for a while without skating, I notice it. I don’t feel as good after long breaks.”

MacKinnon, fresh off a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to Dallas, is expected to join Crosby on the top line for Canada’s campaign in Stockholm.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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