Each NHL team’s best contract heading into the 2019-20 season

Pittsburgh Penguins – Sidney Crosby

Contract: $8.7 million cap hit over the next six years

Sidney Crosby’s prime is over, but he’s still one of the best players in the NHL. His decline has barely been noticeable. Crosby’s physical skills aren’t quite what they used to be, but that’s expected. His hockey IQ, though, is one of the highest in league history. Crosby’s an extremely smart player, which should allow him to age gracefully.

Most of the long-term deals before the 2013 lockout aren’t going to be remembered positively. Crosby’s deal is one of the few that you could argue wound up being a bargain. Now, to be fair, Crosby signed his deal when his future was still a bit uncertain thanks to concussion issues.

And, at the time he signed his deal, his cap hit percentage was the third highest of the salary cap era. Still, Crosby’s an annual Hart Trophy candidate and he remains in the discussion for being the best player in the NHL. I’ll believe Sid The Kid is declining when I see it. And then I probably still won’t believe it. Crosby adapts to the game, which is how he has been able to sustain greatness for such a long period of time.

Honorable mentions: Crosby is the easy answer. However, you could probably make a good case for Kris Letang and Brian Dumoulin. Evgeni Malkin’s in the conversation as well. Jake Guentzel’s deal is a steal. He might be the best wing Crosby’s ever had in the NHL.