Sidney Crosby's future in Pittsburgh in jeopardy after latest trade report

NHL insider David Pagnotta pointed to a handful of names Pittsburgh is willing to move.

The timing fits a season that has slipped away early. Pittsburgh sat at 6-10-2 and 29th overall earlier this week, a steep fall for a team that returned to the playoffs last spring. That slide explains why the front office is exploring every avenue.

Lizotte, 28, is a penalty-kill staple who signed a three-year extension in January at $2.25 million per season. Brazeau, a 6-foot-6 winger, added surprising scoring depth last year on a $1.5 million deal.

Graves, a veteran defenseman, opened the season on injured reserve, which could complicate any deal.

Both Lizotte and Brazeau carry affordable cap hits, which makes them appealing to contenders seeking depth. Lizotte's deal runs through 2028-29, giving a buyer long-term control, while Brazeau's expires after this season.

These are depth players, not core pieces, which suggests Pittsburgh is trimming around the edges rather than tearing everything down.

Pagnotta has said Crosby is not going anywhere unless he wants out, which he described as a major reversal for a player who has never publicly asked to leave. Evgeni Malkin, 40, reportedly wants to stay as well.

Crosby holds a no-movement clause, and his $8.7 million contract expires after this season, so any exit would be entirely his call.

The real question is patience. Moving Lizotte and Brazeau would strip depth from a captain who is 39 and chasing wins, while speculation linking him to the Montreal Canadiens continues to grow.

For now, the phones are open, and the front office will decide how much to sell. Every deal in the coming weeks will show whether Pittsburgh is retooling around Crosby or quietly preparing for life without him.

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