NHL insider reveals Penguins Sidney Crosby doesn't want long-term deal

Sidney Crosby is in no rush to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins. As free agency nears for several of the NHL's elite stars, few find themselves mired in more speculation than Sidney Crosby.

Whereas players like the Colorado Avalanche's Mikko Rantanen and Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid have more defined futures with their respective teams, as free agents in 2025 and 2026, respectively, the situation regarding Sidney Crosby is not quite as black-and-white. Rantanen was a key member of a former Stanley Cup-winning team and McDavid leads a consistent contender. For his part, Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins are at a crossroads.

Not quite the juggernaut they once were when they won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017, the Penguins employ an older group these days. Though they've been in the playoff bubble for the last couple of seasons, their future is less surefire.

The still-elite Sidney Crosby, who just completed a 42-goal, 94-point season, his 12th with more than 30 goals, at age 37, has not committed to a new deal on terms that reportedly have varied in both years and dollars. Via NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, his reluctance might be related to the uncertain direction of the team.

Now free to sign an extension at any time, Sidney Crosby is entirely in the driver's seat. The overriding question remains, however, which is, does he spend the rest of his career with the Penguins, or make one last attempt to restore glory elsewhere?

Elliotte Friedman is sure that regardless of where that happens, it'll likely be a short-term deal.

Source:
Hockey Patrol on X

Source: NHL.com
Sidney Crosby Stats