Penguins captain Sidney Crosby opens up about his future at Player Media Tour
As the Penguins captain approaches his 20th NHL season, he remains driven and excited about the future.
Crosby's contract talks progressing positively
Ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, Kyle Dubas expressed his confidence in the ongoing contract discussions with Sidney Crosby, who is eligible to sign an extension. Crosby, now in Las Vegas for the NHL Player Media Tour, echoed this sentiment when asked if he could envision a scenario where the deal is delayed until after the season.
No, no. I'm pretty optimistic it's going to get done,said Crosby. He emphasized that while there's no exact timeline, the process has been smooth.
«I mean, I don't know what day specifically, but it's been really positive. It hasn't been a difficult process at all. I'm optimistic that something will get done.»- he added
Crosby reflects on his career and longevity
At 37, Crosby continues to perform at an elite level but acknowledges the difficulty of predicting how many years he has left.
«You don't really know the trajectory of everything and how you're going to feel mentally, physically,» Crosby said. «I think that when you get to this point, you understand that's more of a reality with every year you play. But I think you just kind of check in with that through the year, every year, and evaluate it.»
As Sidney Crosby prepares for his 20th season, he is just as excited as he was during his rookie year.
«I feel really good. I'm just as excited about going to training camp as I was my first year,» Crosby said. «So, I think the passion and that sort of thing is all there. As long as that's there, then you want to put in the work and do everything that it takes to be successful. Then hopefully, it can be at least a few more.»
A strong season ahead for Crosby and the Penguins
Crosby delivered one of his strongest performances last season, posting 42 goals-his third-highest total-and accumulating 94 points. Though the Penguins missed the playoffs by a single point for the second consecutive year, he stays positive about their potential this season.
«We've been right there the last couple years,» Crosby said. «I think for me personally, the way I look at it is if we can find some way to get over that hump and get into the playoffs where we haven't, trying to use some of that momentum we finished with last year, that would be great. We finished really strong. I think we all felt good about hanging in there the way we did. I think we're just hoping that we can be a little more consistent in a few areas, and hopefully that'll get us in the playoffs.»
Dubas, the new general manager, has also been in constant communication with Crosby, particularly regarding the team's direction and roster decisions.
It would be foolish not to talk to Crosby about the team's direction, especially considering the changes since he arrived in 2005, said Dubas.
The goal is to rebuild the team around Crosby and the core players, combining young talent with seasoned veterans to keep the Penguins competitive.
Crosby on his legacy and the rivalry with Ovechkin
As Crosby prepares for the 2024-25 season, he is just four points shy of reaching 1,600 career points, while his longtime rival, Alex Ovechkin, is only 42 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time record of 894 goals.
It's incredible what Ovechkin is doing. To see him this close to what was once thought to be untouchable is a testament to his career, Crosby said, reflecting on their shared history and rivalry.
As the Penguins aim to make another run at the playoffs, Crosby's leadership, skill, and optimism will be key to the team's success in the coming season.
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Checking in with Sidney Crosby at Player Media Tour
| POLL |
SEPTEMBRE 10 | 190 ANSWERS Penguins captain Sidney Crosby opens up about his future at Player Media Tour Do you think Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins will make the Playoffs? |
| Yes | 80 | 42.1 % |
| No | 110 | 57.9 % |
| List of polls |
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