Sidney Crosby To Canadiens Rumor – Is It Fantasy or Reality?

Should the Penguins fall out of the playoff race early, it opens up the question of whether Pittsburgh is better off trading veteran trio Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby to fuel their youth-driven rebuild.

If Crosby and the Penguins decide it’s best for all parties to part ways, his preferred destination could be the team that he supported during his youth. Crosby grew up in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia and wore a Habs jersey when watching games from his living room television. 

Crosby recently spoke about being linked to the 24-time Stanley Cup champion Montreal Canadiens. 

“Trust me, I get it,” Crosby said on Monday at the NHL Media Tour. “Growing up a Montreal fan, I understand how passionate they are. My first or second year in the league, I was in Montreal for a CCM thing in June and they were already projecting the lines for training camp in September. I was like, ‘This is wild’. They’re so into it and I get it as to why that would come up. It doesn’t make it any easier to hear those things when you’re losing, but knowing a team like that wants you isn’t the end of the world.”

It’s been 32 years since the Canadiens hoisted the Stanley Cup. Crosby was five when Patrick Roy and the 1993 Canadiens defeated Wayne Gretzky’s Los Angeles Kings in five games. Aside from their appearance in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, Montreal has seldom seen recent success.

Imagine the frenzy that would unfold if Crosby was to pull on the famous Habs sweater. The Canadiens’ fans are known worldwide for their fervent support. It would be absolute idol worship, something closer to the Beatles arriving at JFK airport in New York than a hockey player reporting to a new team.

Think about how incredible it would be if Crosby were to help the Canadiens reclaim their former Stanley Cup glory. Picture Crosby dressed in “La Sainte-Flanelle” being called to receive hockey’s Holy Chalice from commissioner Gary Bettman inside a raucous Bell Centre. 

When he was young, Crosby dreamed of that very image when he was playing floor hockey in his basement. He’s going to hold the power cards to determine his destination if the Penguins decide to break up the band.

It’s not happening now – but Montreal fans will need to wait patiently at the possibility of their No. 87 dream coming true.