Top 5 teams that would be epic landing spots for Sidney Crosby if he leaves the Penguins

Sidney Crosby has been with the Penguins for the greater part of two decades, but is there a strong possibility that he leaves Pittsburgh in the near future?

Feb 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) prepares
Feb 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) prepares | Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Imagine a Sidney Crosby-Connor McDavid tag team in Edmonton

In 2005, Sidney Crosby was the generational talent who ended up in Pittsburgh and 10 years later, a generational talent named Connor McDavid landed in Edmonton. 

It’s safe to say fans were getting flashbacks to the Wayne Gretzky era when McDavid came to town in 2015. But McDavid’s presence has not garnered the Oilers its first Western Conference Championship since the 2005-06 season. And while McDavid and company could wind up ending that drought this year, there are no guarantees it will occur given how streaky Edmonton’s season has been. 

That said, if teams start inquiring about Crosby’s availability, the Oilers must be in on them and make a serious push to land the former first-overall pick, whether that occurs this offseason or next season. It’s clear that the Oilers only need another piece or two to hoist their first Stanley Cup since 1990, and it would be nothing short of incredible to see an aging NHL legend win one more alongside arguably the league’s best current player in McDavid. 

It would likely mark the end of an era for one career, while perhaps the beginning of something the Oilers haven’t seen since the 1980s for several others. As with the other four teams on this list, it would mean Crosby’s presence, however short it may be, would have a lasting impact with the team. 

(Data provided by Hockey-Reference)