Is Sidney Crosby's latest extension his last NHL contract?

Is Sidney Crosby's latest extension his last NHL contract? There is a chance.

Pittsburgh Penguins v Columbus Blue Jackets
Pittsburgh Penguins v Columbus Blue Jackets / Jason Mowry/GettyImages

The Pittsburgh Penguins and center Sidney Crosby have agreed on a two-year contract extension worth $17.4 million. Crosby returns to the Penguins for his team-record 20th season and 18th as captain. He was the first overall pick in the 2005 NHL draft.

Crosby had been the franchise's third-best player behind Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr. He has been a model citizen since his debut and has been a great ambassador for the game of hockey, not only in the NHL.

While the Penguins have not been loaded with talent during his tenure, he has still put up elite numbers with players who are not of the same status on his line. Crosby continues to perform at an elite level, considering he has been around 20 years.

Last season, Crosby produced 42 goals and 52 for 94 points in 82 games. This brings his NHL regular season total to 592 goals and 1,004 assists for 1,596 points in 1,272 games. He has been as successful in the playoffs, registering 71 goals and 130 assists for 201 points in 18 games.

The Penguins captain has been one of the best NHL players of all time

Crosby had a list of awards, trophies, and accomplishments to his impressive resume. Those include six seasons of 100+ points (career-high of 120 points in 2006-07), 16 hat tricks, six all-star games, two Art Ross trophies, two Hart Memorial trophies, three Ted Lindsay awards, two Conn Smythe trophies, three Stanley Cups. If this is indeed his last contract, he will have a Hall-of-Fame resume when he is done.

Crosby has been an elite player since day one and has not looked back. He has had several seasons where he was the best player in the game offensively. Through the years, the talent on Pittsburgh's roster has taken a hit, but Crosby has still produced as a top player in the league.

He is a driven player who is dedicated to his craft and will take the next two years to take a serious run at another Stanley Cup.

It is possible as he has taken the organization and put them on his back, which he has done for several years now. He has single-handedly put this team into playoff contention over the past five years.

Crosby will still be productive over the next two years but he needs help as he can only take this team so far. He will be almost 40 years old when the contract extension is up and he may not have much time left after that.

Pittsburgh will either have to add offensive pieces to play with Crosby or the roster that they do have will have to greatly step up across the board.

The roster as it stands may be able to get into the playoffs but a lot has to fall into place. Regardless of how this ends, he will go down as one of the greatest players in hockey history, not only in Pittsburgh.

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