Will the Penguins Trade Sidney Crosby?

I find it hard to believe that before signing his extension, Crosby was not clued in on what general manager Kyle Dubas’ plans were for the next few years. So when you take that into consideration, it appears he wants to be in Pittsburgh, wants to see the rebuild through, and wants to be here when they are good again.

Then there is the argument that the Penguins are doing him a disservice by missing the playoffs for a third-straight season. I don’t know Crosby personally, but having watched his professional career closely for the past 20 years, I imagine he prefers the challenge of lifting this franchise back to the playoffs over jumping ship and riding on someone else’s coattails. He’s the ultimate competitor and one who doesn’t shy away from challenges but rather embraces them.

People Will Say Anything for Attention

In today’s world, people can’t help themselves. We live in the day and age of constant content indulgence and people just say stuff for clicks and likes. The pundits know that if they float the idea of ‘Crosby to the Avalanche’, it’ll get eyeballs and people will tune in. 

Combine the hungry-for-attention media with delusional fans on current contending teams, and you have what this whole article is about. Speculation about a trade that has never been rumored to happen, no sources have ever said it could happen, the person involved said it won’t happen, and it will, in fact, never happen. All the Crosby trade speculation is fueled by delusion and ego.

No Sign Crosby Wants to Leave Pittsburgh

What bothers me the most is that there is no evidence to support these theories. Crosby has consistently stated that he wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh. He just signed an extension to stay with the Penguins. Do people think they can just wish this into existence?

The main thing that drives the speculation though is that the Penguins are abysmal at the moment. They are staring at a top-five pick in the draft this year. They could be next year as well.

‘But a legend shouldn’t have to go through this’. Oh really? What about Sidney Crosby’s mentor, former teammate, and longtime landlord, Mario Lemieux? He lived through this very thing that Crosby is going through now. 

The Penguins, from 2002-2004, were brutal and consistently near the bottom of the standings. What that turned into was Marc-André Fleury, Evgeni Malkin, and Sidney Crosby. Lemieux was there to see it through, and if not for his health, could have had another playoff appearance alongside those three.

The Penguins have an opportunity to do exactly what they did at the end of Lemieux’s career. The Penguins have 20 draft picks, including three first-rounders, over the next two years. This year’s draft is okay, but next year they could nab Gavin McKenna, the best prospect since Connor McDavid, if they ended up the first-overall pick.

Was it tough to watch Lemieux on a team with Ross Lupaschuk and Tomáš Surový? sure it was. Was it worth it? Well, three Stanley Cups over the last two decades suggest it was.

So Penguins fans, strap in and sit tight, it’s not going to be pretty, but it is necessary. Ignore the talking heads: Crosby is not going to be traded. The Penguins are doing what is natural after a great run, and Crosby seems poised to get them through it.

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