Story Summary
Sidney Crosby confirmed he is talking with the Pittsburgh Penguins about another contract as he approaches the final season of his current deal. The 39-year-old said his agent, Pat Brisson, is speaking with Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas, and that he wants to keep playing “for a number of years.” Crosby also made it clear he is motivated to represent Canada at the World Cup of Hockey in 2028.
Key Facts
- Sidney Crosby is 39 and has one season remaining on a two-year, $17.4 million contract signed Sept. 16, 2024 ($8.7 million AAV).
- Crosby said at the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour that “Pat’s talking to Kyle,”referring to agent Pat Brisson and GM Kyle Dubas.
- He told reporters he would like to continue playing “for a number of years,”but did not set a precise term and acknowledged uncertainty year to year.
- Crosby said he is unsure whether a new deal will be reached before training camp or the start of the regular season; training camps open next week.
- He is motivated to represent Canada at the World Cup of Hockey in February 2028; he will be 40 that month.
- Last season Crosby led the Penguins with 74 points (29 goals, 45 assists) in 68 games and averaged a point per game for the 21st straight season, an NHL record.
- The Penguins qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season and lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games in the Eastern Conference First Round.
- Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are entering their 21st season together as teammates; Malkin, 40, signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract on May 26.
- Letang, 39, is under contract through 2027-28 on a six-year, $36.6 million deal ($6.1 million AAV).
- Crosby has won three Stanley Cups with the Penguins (2009, 2016, 2017) and multiple best-on-best tournaments; he took silver with Canada at the recent Olympics.
- At the Olympics Crosby had six points (two goals, four assists) in four games before missing the final two games with a lower-body injury, including a 2-1 overtime loss to Team USA in the gold medal game.
IHM Discussion
Crosby’s comments make two things clear: he wants to keep playing and the mechanics of any extension are in the hands of his representation and the Penguins’ front office. One year remains on his current two-year deal, and Pat Brisson and Kyle Dubas are in talks. Crosby framed the negotiation as more complex at his age because it is harder to predict how he will feel from one season to the next, and he did not rule out either a season-by-season approach or a multiyear agreement.
That uncertainty shapes Pittsburgh’s immediate planning. Crosby’s language is not that of a player pushing for a rushed long-term pact; it is measured and pragmatic. He said there is no set timeline and that he is not in a rush. With training camp and the season opener approaching, an extension could arrive before the first puck drops or be left until later.
Crosby led Pittsburgh with 74 points in 68 games last season and maintained a point-per-game pace for a 21st consecutive season, an NHL record. That production, alongside his role as captain and his long partnership with Malkin and Letang, keeps him central to the team’s short-term outlook. His own caution about year-to-year variability, however, underlines the uncertainty involved in projecting the next contract.
Why It Matters
Crosby’s contract situation matters to the Penguins on and off the ice. He is the captain and face of the franchise, while he, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are entering their 21st season together as teammates. Their continuity remains a major part of Pittsburgh’s identity after the club returned to the playoffs last season.
Crosby’s desire to play towards the World Cup of Hockey in 2028 also carries significance for international hockey. He said the recent Olympic experience, despite its disappointing finish for Canada, motivates him to pursue another best-on-best tournament. The length and timing of his next deal remain undecided, but he has made clear that continuing to play is his aim.
Mini Q&A
Is Sidney Crosby negotiating a new contract with the Penguins?
Yes. Crosby said he is talking with the Penguins about another contract and that his agent Pat Brisson is speaking with GM Kyle Dubas.
How much time remains on Crosby’s current deal?
He has one season remaining on a two-year, $17.4 million contract ($8.7 million AAV) signed on Sept. 16, 2024.
Does Crosby want to keep playing and for how long?
Crosby said he would like to continue playing “for a number of years,”but he did not specify how many and acknowledged uncertainty year to year.
Is Crosby aiming to play for Team Canada at the World Cup of Hockey 2028?
Yes. Crosby said he is motivated to represent Canada at the World Cup of Hockey in February 2028.
Will Crosby’s new deal be completed before training camp?
Crosby said he is unsure and that there is no set timeline; training camps open next week and discussions are ongoing.
Coach Mark Comment
Crosby’s comments point to a sensible approach: assess each season on its own merits. His recent production shows he remains capable of carrying major responsibility, while Pittsburgh can continue to manage his role according to performance and how he feels over the course of the season. Whatever the contract term, keeping its captain in positions where he can influence games will remain central to the Penguins’ plans.
What Comes Next
Training camps open next week; the Penguins’ regular-season opener is at the Philadelphia Flyers on Sept. 30. Crosby said he is unsure whether a contract will be reached before training camp or the start of the regular season; his agent Pat Brisson and GM Kyle Dubas are in discussions.
IHM Final View
Sidney Crosby remains a high-performing captain whose next contract is an open question rather than an imminent crisis. He made clear he wants to continue playing while acknowledging the harder task of projecting future seasons at 39. The substance of the negotiations will be determined by his representatives and the Penguins’ front office, but Crosby’s recent production and his expressed motivation to participate in the World Cup of Hockey 2028 give him a compelling case to continue. For Pittsburgh, the immediate priority is clear: prepare for camp and the season while discussions continue, with roster and deployment decisions made in the knowledge that Crosby remains both a top contributor and an ageing star whose future term could be short or multi-year.