Top NHL analyst stuns with statement on Sidney Crosby's future with the Pittsburgh Penguins

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Daniel Lucente
August 28, 2024 (11:37)

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A top NHL analyst made a shocking statement that Sidney Crosby would make the playoffs with Pittsburgh again, which surprisingly went against popular belief.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, once a consistent force in the NHL with 16 consecutive playoff appearances, have now faced back-to-back seasons without making it to the postseason. This recent decline has led many to question whether the aging core, led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, still has what it takes to compete for the Stanley Cup as they approach the end of their careers.

Sidney Crosby, the face of the franchise, has one year remaining on his current contract and is eligible for an extension. It's widely anticipated that he will re-sign with the Penguins, meaning he is committing his entire NHL career to just one team. However, this raises significant questions about his legacy. Will Crosby have another shot at the playoffs, or will his career wind down without another appearance in the postseason?

TSN analyst Frank Corrado remains optimistic, suggesting that Sidney Crosby and the Penguins could find themselves back in the playoff mix as soon as the upcoming season. The Metropolitan Division, outside of powerhouses like the Carolina Hurricanes and the President's Trophy-winning New York Rangers, had several teams attempting to clinch playoff positions last season, with the Penguins fighting until the very end. Corrado believes that despite the recent struggles, Pittsburgh still has the potential to challenge for the Stanley Cup, especially with other Metro teams failing to impress him.

«It's hard to believe that in "now or never mode" we are not going to see Sidney Crosby playing in the playoffs as a member of the Penguins,» Corrado said. «And this year specifically, the Metro is a little more wide open. Outside of the Rangers, and the Devils need to take a significant step,» Corrado said. «The Islanders aren't overly exciting. Carolina might take a step back. The Washington Capitals are trying to improve. You can put the Pittsburgh Penguins in that category.»

If the Penguins miss the playoffs again in 2025, it won't necessarily mean the end for Sidney Crosby. An extension is expected before training camp, potentially giving him a few more years to lead the team back to the playoffs. The clock may be ticking, but as long as Crosby is on the ice, the Penguins will continue to reach for championships and success. Crosby wouldn't expect anything less.

«Maybe they have a chance,» Corrado said. «It's now or never for the Penguins, but with Sidney Crosby maybe playing for a few more years, we might see him in the playoffs one more time as a Penguin.»

Sidney Crosby was the first overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. In his career, he's suited up in 1,272 games, all with the Penguins, and scored a total of 592 goals while adding 1,004 assists for a whopping 1,596 points. He's also won the Stanley Cup three times with Pittsburgh. What a truly illustrious career he's had so far.

Source: HockeyDB
Sidney Crosby Stats