Big Sidney Crosby Update: Straight From #87 Himself

We've heard pundits and prognosticators, insiders and outsiders, all pining over and predicting what will happen with Sidney Crosby and a potential contract extension, that still has not been signed this offseason.

Now we get to hear from the man himself. The Penguins icon addressed the media during the NHL/NHLPA Player Media Tour, and said he expects to be signing a new deal in Pittsburgh, likely by the time the puck drops on the 2024-25 campaign.

Sidney Crosby said that he's "pretty optimistic" that a contract extension is going to get done before the start of the season. #NHLPlayerMediaTour
— Michael Traikos (@Michael_Traikos) September 9, 2024

Crosby, now 37, said "I’m pretty optimistic it’s gonna get done. I don’t know what day, but it’s been really positive. Hasn’t been a difficult process at all. I’m pretty optimistic that something will get done."

Crosby's current 12-year, $104.4-million contract expires at the end of the coming season. David Pagnotta, The Fourth Period's senior hockey insider, said earlier on Monday that he expects The Next One's next extension, which will likely be in the three-year range, to have a higher AAV than his expiring $8.7 million salary.

Crosby is coming off back-to-back 90-point seasons in which he's played all 82 games in each. Clearly, age is not an enemy for Sid the Kid, as, in his 19th NHL campaign, he racked up 42 goals and 94 points while averaging over 20 minutes per game.

How much longer does he hope to play?

Sidney Crosby on his longevity: "I’m just as excited about going to training camp as I was my first year. ... As long as that’s there, and you’re willing to put in the work and do everything that it takes to be successful, hopefully it can be at least a few more [years]."
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) September 9, 2024

"I’m just as excited about going to training camp as I was my first year," said the Penguins captain and 3-time Stanley Cup champion. "As long as that’s there, and you’re willing to put in the work and do everything that it takes to be successful, hopefully it can be at least a few more [years]."