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Nathan MacKinnon Dismisses Sidney Crosby Rumor Amid NHL Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rexwell Villas | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 10:56 PM ET

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby's name has been a constant item in NHL trade rumor talks, and that continues to be the case in the offseason.

Former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque added fuel to the buzz when he sent out a post on X saying, "I’m hearing there’s a very good chance that Crosby will play somewhere else," amid Friday's 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles.

That post was shared by "Spittin' Chiclets" on Instagram , and it somehow caught the attention of Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon.

"Fake news," MacKinnon commented.

Crosby has two more years left on his current contract, which has a cap hit of $8.7 million. A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Crosby's window to add a fourth Cup to his collection appears to be closing, primarily because of his age.

He will be 38 years old in August, and he may not have enough time to wait for Pittsburgh to become a legitimate championship contender again. Pittsburgh has not been to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2022 and has only won 72 games in the last two seasons.

A trade to a contender like the Avalanche, who just won the Stanley Cup in 2022, can boost Crosby's chance to win another ring.

At the same time, such a move for the Penguins should get them additional assets. In the 2024-25 season, Crosby showed he can still get things done on the ice, as he recorded 33 goals and 58 assists for 91 points, while missing only two games.

But as it stands, Crosby remains with the Penguins, who made him the first-overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft.

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

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