With training camp coming up in just weeks and a new season on the horizon, there are a handful of key players for their teams on the final year of their contracts. For example, Brad Marchand is in his final year of his deal and last week told the media that negotiations remain behind closed doors, and it will be addressed in time.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is also in the final year of his deal with the team. Talks and speculation about a three-year extension started at the end of last season, again on July 1st, and then again on 8/7, since you know, that is Crosby's favorite two numbers.
According to TFP's David Pagnotta, a three-year deal is still expected, but Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast with new co-host Kyle Bukauskas, talked about Crosby not rushing into anything and that he might want to see the team perform this year before deciding. Friedman talked about his will to win and possible offers from the Penguins.
You can hear the full 32 Thoughts podcast below, as well as Friedman's thoughts on Sid's contract.
Pittsburgh added Michael Bunting, a surprisingly good addition, in a trade with Carolina for Guentzel, and then Kyle Dubas went to work to add additional players to the team such as Kevin Hayes, Cody Glass, Blake Lizotte, Anthony Beauvillier and Rutger McGroarty, and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, via free agency and trades this summer.
Friedman believes the Guentzel trade was Dubas' way of signaling a change. He also feels that change is what Crosby can still be considering.
The overall thoughts are that Crosby will stay a Penguin. He will be participating in the media week, next week in Vegas. There is a good chance he will field questions about this contract multiples times all week. We will see if he clears up any speculations.
As Read On: The Fourth Period -
CROSBY NOT RUSHING INTO NEXT CONTRACT
POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 6 | 350 ANSWERS Sidney Crosby is in no rush to sign his next contract with the Penguins Why do you think Sidney Crosby has not signed an extension with the Penguins yet? | ||
He is waiting to see how they play | 81 | 23.1 % |
He plans on signing somewhere else | 42 | 12 % |
He wants to be traded to a contender | 39 | 11.1 % |
He is just talking his time | 188 | 53.7 % |
List of polls |