Sidney Crosby Renews Pact with Pittsburgh Penguins

Details of the New Two-Year Contract Extension

Contrary to months of conjecture about his professional future, Sidney Crosby, a central figure of the NHL, has put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Crosby, now in the twilight of a 12-year contract, will see this new agreement coming into effect from the 2025-26 season and extending to the 2026-27 season, when he’ll be 39.

The contract is worth an average of $8.7 million per annum, a figure that also counts towards the NHL salary cap. Interestingly, this cap hit mirrors that of Crosby’s preceding five and 12-year contracts, in a nod to his birth date (8/7/87) and jersey number. The fresh contract guarantees Crosby a basic salary of $780,000, coupled with a lucrative $9 million signing bonus in 2025-26 and a $1.09 million salary supplemented by a $6,530,000 signing bonus in 2026-27. This contract comes with a full no-movement clause, securing Crosby’s position with the Penguins.

The Journey to the New Contract

Crosby and his team spent considerable time deliberating on the structure of this contract, considering that he had one year remaining on his existing deal. While some anticipated a shorter term, others predicted a four-year span with a value exceeding $10 million. However, the final agreement was a two-year deal with an $8.7 million AAV, providing the Penguins with financial maneuverability in the short and long term. This also recognizes that Crosby, albeit still an impactful player, is approaching the end of his NHL journey.

Crosby’s Illustrious Career and Contribution to the Penguins

Crosby, the captain of the Penguins, has spearheaded his team to three Stanley Cup victories, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2016 and 2017. He’s also twice been honored with the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s regular-season MVP.

His career points total stands at 1,596, the highest among active players and the tenth highest in NHL history. Crosby’s last season in Pittsburgh saw him score 42 goals and provide 52 assists, summing up to 94 points. He has consistently played to over a point-per-game pace in all 19 seasons in the NHL. With his 20th season in a Penguins uniform on the horizon and 18th season as the captain, Crosby is second only to Detroit’s Steve Yzerman as the longest-serving captain in NHL history.

Crosby: A True Pillar of Hockey

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, in a statement, expressed his admiration for Crosby, “Sidney Crosby is the epitome of what hockey, Pittsburgh, and the Penguins organization represent. He is the most distinguished player of his generation and one of the all-time greats. His actions today reveal why he is one of the game’s greatest victors and leaders. Sid has made a significant personal sacrifice to aid the Penguins’ success, both now and in the future, as he has done throughout his career.”

Despite the Penguins’ lack of playoff success in recent years, Crosby remains optimistic that the team, with its experienced core including Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson, can clinch another Stanley Cup.