Penguins News: Pittsburgh has an extension with Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby has been one of the top players in the NHL ever since he stepped foot onto the ice. The first overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft was touted as a generational talent and somehow he's exceeded all expectations.

Crosby is a three-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time Art Ross Trophy winner, two-time Hart Trophy winner, two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner, and two-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

There is an argument for him being the greatest player who ever lived when you consider the era he played in compared to some of the other all-time greats. He's certainly in the top five with no question.

Crosby has only played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and he has mostly had a cap hit of $8.7 million. For the numbers he's put up and the winning that has taken place because of him, that was always an incredible bargain.

Sidney Crosby has been a big part of the Pittsburgh Penguins for a long time

Questions about Crosby's future in Pittsburgh have started to come up because of his age, Pittsburgh's competitive window, and the fact that his contract was coming to an end after this upcoming season.

He also made his frustrations known after the team traded his running mate Jake Guentzel during the 2023-24 season which started some of the conversation about his future.

Well, on Monday, the team announced that Crosby has been extended for an extra two years. It will run through the 2026-27 season and carry a cap hit of the aforementioned $8.7 million. That means Crosby will carry a cap hit of his famous #87 for a total of 19 seasons when it's done.

Now, Crosby is locked in with some of his long-time teammates like Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. The team also traded for Erik Karlsson last year and will have Rutger McGroarty make his NHL debut this season after the big prospect trade.

It isn't the worst situation in the NHL as some of those good pieces are still there despite most of them being on the back nine of their careers.

However, it doesn't feel like a team with a legitimate chance to win the Stanley Cup. It shows Crosby's commitment to the team and the city, and getting it going in the right direction again.

Crosby may not be winning the Hart Trophy anymore but he is still on a bargain deal with that $8.7 million cap hit. He had 94 points last year and 93 the year before. He also played in all 82 games in both seasons which shows how durable he's been in his older years.

At 37 years old, Crosby has a lot of hockey left. He currently sits with 592 goals, 1004 assists, and 1596 points. He'll break 1600 points and 600 goals early in the season.

If he plays long enough, having 700 goals and 1300 assists for 2000 points is on the table for Crosby which would put him second all-time in points.

This contract gives him some stability to reach milestones like that without worrying about anything besides playing hockey. It is a great day for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the NHL as a whole as a legend is not set for a few more years.