How Sidney Crosby could actually leave Penguins for Canadiens

One year ago, Sidney Crosby committed to the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons with a new contract.

Despite that, Crosby, 38, continues to be linked to other teams, like the Montreal Canadiens. Bleacher Report's Frank Seravalli spoke about it recently.

Seravalli named the two conditions that would have to present themselves for the Penguins to consider trading Crosby.

"I just don’t think that (leaving the Penguins) has really entered Sidney Crosby’s mind as far as I can tell," Seravalli said on Sportsnet's "Big Show with Rusic and Rose" on Friday.

“But two things. One, it’s going to need to be on his terms. He’s going to have to ask the Penguins. They’re not going to go to him and ask if he’s interested in moving. And two, it’s going to have to be for a really special situation and scenario," he added.

Why does it make no sense for Sidney Crosby to leave Pittsburgh

Montreal is an ideal team for Crosby, according to many fans, because of his personal ties and because the team has been improving with Martin St. Louis. However, it remains an unlikely scenario.

The veteran center's contract runs until 2027 with significant signing bonuses, so moving that deal would require the player's authorization and fitting into the cap of the team he would join, in this case, the Canadiens. That reduces viable scenarios.

On more than one occasion, Crosby has reiterated his commitment to Pittsburgh and has consistently renewed with the Penguins. It would be surprising to see him change teams at this point in his career.

Regarding the playing system, a team change would not make much sense either. Crosby operates as a first-line center in an environment developed by head coach Dan Muse that maximizes his retrievals, support in the neutral zone, and prolonged offensive cycles withRickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. Replicating those patterns on another team would require considerable time to adapt to other wingers.

Furthermore, the Penguins still compete at the highest level. Crosby's roles, environment, and leadership are consolidated in the franchise. Pittsburgh's front office will not push to get rid of an active icon.