Penguins Confirm Sidney Crosby's Future Amid Ongoing Trade Rumors
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Elliotte Friedman provides a clear indication of where the future stands for Sidney Crosby as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Recent rumors have signaled the possibility of a deal that could happen, Sidney Crosby being traded away from the Penguins.
The rumors are less based on actual signaling from Pittsburgh's front office that Crosby is available to be dealt, but with the belief that the team are ready to move on from their aging veteran core.
Josh Yohe of 'The Athletic' recently stated that Malkin is believed to be on his "farewell" tour from Pittsburgh, implying he could leave the Penguins once his contract ends at the end of this season. Crosby's contract is up the season after, and he could spend what would be his final season elsewhere if Pittsburgh commits to a full rebuild.
Sidney Crosby Trade Rumors Shut Down by Insider Update
Elliotte Friedman was asked on his '32 Thoughts' podcast about the potential of Sidney Crosby exiting the Pittsburgh Penguins right now, with Friedman swiftly shutting down said possibility, at least for the short-term.
I don't think there's any doubt about that. You know, we also got like the, we got the preliminary media list and says Sidney Crosby, Penguin. So that one was a sign to me that he's, if anybody doubted that he's not getting traded this summer, he's definitely not getting for the media tour.
Friedman also mentioned where the Pittsburgh Penguins are in trade talks, stating that the team is currently quiet towards the midway point of summer where league actitivity usually dies down.
People are always asking, are there any, you know, trade talk this summer? Obviously, Pittsburgh's been around it. I don't think there's anything imminent there on any file, although it can always change with one phone call. It's summer. Like, you know, people are trying to relax a little bit, and I'm assuming that things are going to heat up later in the summer at some point in all these particular situations.
What Crosby Staying Means for the Maple Leafs' Trade Options
One thing is unlikely, and that's Sidney Crosby becoming a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
People can dream, but it's hard to see Crosby join the Leafs, although him leaving Pittsburgh may be hard to imagine in general unless the team really wants to retool quickly.
This doesn't mean the Leafs and Penguins couldn't be trade partners to get a deal done with their plans to revitalize their lineup.
Fans shouldn't except Crosby or Malkin to step in to the locker room, but the Penguins have veteran options who could be on the move. One player is winger Bryan Rust, a player who already been linked to Toronto and would add another top-six goalscorer next to Auston Matthews.
Rickard Rakell is another piece that could interest the Leafs in the pursuit of a veteran top-six forward, and another player who comes at an affordable price.
On defense, Marcus Petterson could be a potential option in adding size and youth to the Leafs blueline, although a forward seems the bigger need.
Or perhaps Leafs fans can dream, because even near the end of their careers, the prospect of Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin is still something that can help the Leafs contend into a potential playoff champion.
TRENDING NOW
