Penguins star Sidney Crosby offers big update on extension talks

Pittsburgh Penguins fans understandably have grown concerned regarding what's been referred to as the "worrisome" contract situation involving superstar captain Sidney Crosby.

Crosby suggested while speaking at the NHL North American Player Media Tour on Monday he won't remain on track to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 of next year through the start of the upcoming NHL season. 

"I’m pretty optimistic it’s going to get done," Crosby said about finalizing an extension with the Penguins, as shared by Josh Yohe of The Athletic. "I don’t know what day specifically. It’s been really positive. Hasn’t been a real difficult process. I’m optimistic that something will get done." 

Many believed that a contract extension for Crosby, who wears No. 87, would be announced the same day he turned 37 years old on Aug. 7 (8/7). That didn't happen, however, and whispers about the two sides being close to an agreement quieted down. Thus, some have openly wondered if Crosby is now having second thoughts about featuring only for the Penguins during his NHL career after the club missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season. 

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the 2024-25 Penguins at +120 betting odds to qualify for the postseason. 

"I mean, I want to win every time I step onto the ice," Crosby said about Penguins president/general manager Kyle Dubas beginning a needed roster rebuild this offseason, according to Mike Zeisberger of the NHL's website.  "And regardless of the words you want to use, whether it’s rebuild, retool, even if you want to use another word to describe it, or use the phrase 'going young,' that doesn’t change what I’m trying to do as a player and competing every night to win hockey games." 

Per ESPN stats, Crosby finished last season tied for 12th in the league with 94 points and tied for 11th with 42 goals. The three-time Stanley Cup champion insisted on Monday he wants to continue playing "as long as I possibly can," presumably for the Penguins. 

"I don’t think until you’re really in that position where you’re contemplating whether you’re going to play or not, well, I don’t think you really know until that point," Crosby continued. "Right now, I feel really good. My body feels good. I have the same passion as I did when I came in the league to play. So hopefully, that’s something that can help me continue to play and play at a high level."

With that said, questions about that "passion" possibly causing Crosby to want to join a contender via a midseason trade will continue to hover over the Penguins for as long as he is in the final year of his current contract.