Penguins face Sidney Crosby decision as surprising $32 million bet turns heads
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Penguins fans got a lot to chew on today, and it all starts with the two names that matter most in Pittsburgh right now.
Crosby is in the final year of his two year, $17.4 million deal, and he turns 39 this month.
What's next for Sidney Crosby
He's been clear all summer that he wants to go year to year instead of locking into something long, and that approach gives both him and the Penguins room to breathe as the roster shifts around him.
The Athletic's latest insider report digs into where those conversations actually stand behind the scenes, and it sounds like patience is still the name of the game.
Nobody expects a rushed announcement.
Dubas and Crosby's camp have too much history for that.
"When I recently spoke with Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, he said he hadn't discussed the contract with Crosby yet, indicating he was letting his most famous client enjoy his summer before getting back to business. Brisson said there's an understanding that they'll discuss the contract before summer is over."
- Josh Yohe
- Josh Yohe
Koivunen's contract raised eyebrows for a reason
Then there's Ville Koivunen. An eight year, $32 million extension for a guy with just two goals in 47 NHL games is the kind of number that makes people stop scrolling.
Dubas is clearly betting on what Koivunen did in the AHL translating up, not what he's shown so far in the show.
It's a bold swing, and it puts him in company with names like Crosby, Malkin and Letang in terms of contract length, which is wild for a player still trying to find his footing.
Between Crosby's future and Koivunen's leap of faith, Pittsburgh's front office is making moves that will define this roster for years.
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