Hockey

Sidney Crosby: we wonder if he wants to leave now that Mike Sullivan is gone
Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Sidney Crosby: we wonder if he wants to leave now that Mike Sullivan is gone
Credit: Getty Images

One has to wonder what effect Mike Sullivan's departure from Pittsburgh will have on the coaching market.

At the moment, we understand that the Bruins and Rangers are strong candidates to welcome the experienced coach to town. Those are two strong possibilities, at least.

But will other clubs welcome him? Will other clubs consider a coaching change now that the American pilot is available to everyone? Who knows.

But hey. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, there's uncertainty. From top to bottom of the organization, people seem to be wondering what the Penguins will become in the next few years.

I imagine Kyle Dubas is keeping Sidney Crosby in the loop on the game plan, but I also imagine Sid the Kid has questions and concerns.

And on that subject, it's interesting to wonder whether the departure of Sullivan, who clearly had a good relationship with Crosby, might make the captain more inclined to ask for a trade.

On this subject, it's worth recalling that Louis Domingue, speaking on the Stanley25 podcast, said that Crosby would be perfect for Montreal and that he would thrive under Montreal pressure.

But he also said that Crosby was loyal and that he couldn't see him leaving Pittsburgh.

So the question is this: is Sullivan's departure the kind of thing that could erode Crosby's loyalty to his team?

My feeling is that the answer is no. But in Montreal, a lot of people are surely waiting to hear what he thinks.

That said, if we're asking ourselves whether Crosby thinks the Penguins have a chance of making the playoffs in 2026 without Sullivan, we may be looking at a possible departure for Crosby, who will want to get back to the playoffs while he can still dominate.

If I had to guess, I'd say Crosby might want to wait another year before considering a trade, in view of the final year of his contract.

But who knows what he really thinks?


in gossip

– Of note.

– Interesting.

– He's got to get up.

– The trial opens.

– Unbelievable.

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