Penguins expected to trade Sidney Crosby

The Pittsburgh Penguins did not have the season they had hoped for. After the 2021-22 season, they had the opportunity to part with big names like Evgeni Malkin and Kristopher Letang, but decided to offer them a new contract keeping them with the team until 2026 and 2028 respectively.

Sidney Crosby, meanwhile, still has a 12-year contract he signed in 2012. The Penguins should have traded him before this season. Mathias Brunet of La Presse explained on BPM Sports that it’s time for Pittsburgh to move on.

“Yes, if I were the Penguins, I would trade Sidney Crosby.” – Mathias Brunet via BPM Sports

It’s not crazy at all, especially considering that the Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006. There’s a lot of competition in the East and they need to take advantage of it to rebuild. Even if they try to make the playoffs, it’s an almost impossible mission. And even if they do, they probably won’t get past the first round against the likes of Boston, New York, New Jersey or Carolina.

Now they have to get rid of their big players while they still have value. Sidney Crosby is still considered one of the best (if not the best) player in the NHL on both sides of the rink. He still has a big impact, he’s cheap ($8.7 million) and his contract expires in two years.

The idea of keeping Crosby in Pittsburgh for image’s sake is a good one, but let’s not forget that the Balckhawks did the same thing with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, and it didn’t end well.

Crosby and Letang are 35 and Malkin is 36, and they absolutely must trade them now, before their value skyrockets. Believe me, all these players can still have a huge impact on a team aiming for the Stanley Cup. They just won’t be able to do it in Pittsburgh.

Malkin scored 83 points in 82 games this season. He’s healthy, he’s producing and he doesn’t cost that much ($6.1 million). He should be attractive to many teams. The same goes for Letang and Crosby, who don’t seem to be slowing down.

Sad to say, it’s time for the Pittsburgh Penguins to turn the page on those great years and start anew.

In gusto

– The Canadiens could draft him this year.

– A beautiful moment.

– Xavier Simoneau is ready to come back stronger.

– Canada almost loses to Slovakia.

– A good thaw.