NHL veteran encourages Crosby to request a trade

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Janessa Ladouceur
March 16, 2024 (11:39)

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The Pittsburgh Penguins had a tough day during the Trade Deadline, as they had to trade multiple players, including their star winger Jake Guentzel, in order to focus on rebuilding. As per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the team's captain, Sidney Crosby, is understandably frustrated with the general manager's decision to rely on younger players for the rebuild. There are rumors that Crosby might look to be traded or sign with another team to have a chance at winning the Stanley Cup before he retires.

Former Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron was asked about Crosby's situation during a French interview with TVA Sports. Bergeron, who spent his entire career in Boston, could understand what Crosby is going through and gave him some advice:

«I don't know what he's going to do, but as long as he follows his heart. Of course it would be weird to see him in a uniform different than that of the Penguins, because he started there at 18 and he saved the franchise,» Bergeron explained on the JiC show.
«We'll see what happens next, but for my part, I'm a little more old fashioned and with a loyal side, therefore I hope he can stay,» he continued.

Friedman believes that Crosby will not give up on the Penguins easily. Although he is frustrated, Crosby has loyalty towards the organization, his teammates, and his friends.

«Crosby's earned the right to do what he wants, but, after Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin signed for term, I don't see him walking away without giving the front office a chance to turn things around. I've said this on the pod, but my guess is they offer him two or three years at $10.5M-ish and we go from there.»

Crosby will be eligible to sign an extension with Pittsburgh starting on July 1st, and he might already know what he wants to do. However, the rumors might continue until then, especially if the Penguins fail to make the playoffs for the second year in a row.