NHL insider makes bold claim about potential Sidney Crosby trade to Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens started their preseason slate well, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-1, on Monday. Now they have received another piece of good news about a possible trade.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, a trade of Penguins star Sidney Crosby to the Canadiens is not impossible, although this scenario depends completely on the player.

Crosby, 38, signed a two-year, $17.4M contract in September 2024, adding a full no-move clause, which allows him to have the final word about his future.

In a recent edition of the “La Poche Bleue” podcast, Friedman confirmed that in case Crosby asks the Penguins to be traded, the Canadiens would be one of the few teams that the veteran center would consider.

Montreal Canadiens among select few teams with a chance to sign Sidney Crosby

"I know the Montreal speculation has exploded. I don’t think it’s impossible. I do think if he agreed to be traded, I think Montreal would be on a very short list of teams he’d be willing to consider," Friedman said. "But I think the Canadiens know one thing, and that is, if they start talking about it, that is bad, bad news, so they’ll never say anything about it."

Crosby has spent his entire career with Pittsburgh, where he has won three Stanley Cups, and is considered a franchise icon. 

Why Pittsburgh Penguins might consider letting Sidney Crosby go, and what it would mean for Montreal Canadiens

That said, the only reasons for the Penguins to consider a move would be a generational transition and financial flexibility. Freeing the cap space from Crosby's contract could allow them to sign other young players who may demand a significant deal.

Recently, Pat Brisson, Crosby's agent, said to The Athletic that his client intends to win the Stanley Cup again, something the Penguins have not achieved since 2017. If he changes teams, it should be to a contender. The Canadiens are one, which fuels the speculation.

For the Canadiens, signing Crosby would let prospects like Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky learn from a future Hall of Famer. He would have an immediate impact as an elite player. His arrival would strengthen coach Martin St. Louis' offense, improving the power play and adding leadership.

After accumulating young talent, the Canadiens appear ready to become consistent competitors. Crosby's arrival would provide a quality jump. He would fill Montreal's need for a 1A center, while Suzuki could slot into a 1B role. Montreal could also benefit from Crosby's face-off prowess, helping it win key possessions.