Penguins captain Sidney Crosby opens up about his future at Player Media Tour

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

«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.»

«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.»

«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.»

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.

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.