Cranberner, Pennsylvania – As Evgeni Malkin is in an empty locker room at the Penguins training center, interviewed for a history on his longtime teammate Sidney Crosby, the 39 -year -old Russian center makes an accent point.
“Do you see security here?” Said Malkin, signaling to the details of the Penguins, standing discreetly in the doorway. “It’s like, not my security. It’s Sidney Crosby’s safety.”
The Curriculum Vitae of Malkin certainly justifies the treatment of celebrities: the Calder trophy, the Hart trophy, two score titles and, of course, three Stanley cuts in a period of nine years which brought the Penguins to glory.
But no one on the Penguins – or perhaps the world of hockey – can match the power of the stars of Crosby. The reputation of the captain, not to mention his list of ice creams, is a virgin. “You have never heard a bad thing about Sidney Crosby,” said Kris Letang, the other member of the Big Three of Pittsburgh. “He’s perfect. He’s the perfect ambassador for the game.”
This is why, before the 21st season of Crosby in the NHL, there was so much speeches on what his future could hold – and if one of the most transcendent talents in hockey is wasting his last chapter which takes care of what he once had in Pittsburgh.
Not only is the production of Crosby absurd (1,687 points in 1,352 career and cash matches), but few players in the history of hockey have remained as consistent and as competitive when they enter their twilight in career. While playing his two -directions, Crosby scored 91 points (33 goals, 58 assists) in 80 games last season, leading the Penguins by 21 points. In an NHLPA survey published in April, Crosby was elected by his peers as the “most complete player” of the match – for the sixth consecutive season.
The EDMONTON Oilers star Connor McDavid, at 28 – a complete decade younger than Crosby – is within the framework of his career. But he still sits in Crosby. McDavid pleaded for Crosby to Captain Team Canada during the confrontation of the 4 nations last February, calling it “evidence”.
“He didn’t seem to change at all,” said McDavid last fall. “It was excellent year after year. It’s so impressive to see someone I grew up while admiring it to date.”
Crosby has once again been able to play significant games on the international scene, which should include the long -awaited return of NHL players to the Olympic Games in February, where he probably team Captain.
The prognosis of penguins, however, is not as bright. The Pittsburgh Stanley Cup qualifiers finished in 2023, and the Penguins have not returned since. The GM Kyle Dubas has embarked on a reconstruction, in replenishment a prospect swimming pool which was essentially sterile, with so many draft choices and young players exchanged in order to continue the championships. The Pittsburgh’s opening evening list will feature a number of recruits, led by a first head coach, Dan Muse, who is only five years older than Crosby. They are responsible for the future.
“We are in a transition period, and our goal is, and the expectation is that we will come to the point where we are not only suitors, but that will face on a coherent basis,” said Muse. “It is not only a question of going back to the playoffs; it is to be a real competitor, then to stay there. And I think it was extremely clear for me from the first day. And this message was coherent at the time, so far.”
No one knows how long this plan will take – including the Penguins. It is dictated by a series of factors, including development.
Meanwhile, Crosby’s performance in 4 nations (he equaled McDavid for the team’s head with five points in four games while Canada won the tournament) punctuated how exciting it is to see the 38 -year -old on the most competitive hockey stages.
Some people around Crosby have tried to recommend that it is a bad hockey service to stay for endless reconstruction. This includes the longtime agent of Crosby, Pat Brisson, who publicly declared that it was his personal conviction that Crosby must play hockey in the playoffs.
For its part, Crosby keeps Tunnel Vision. This may look like a lip service for most people, but not to Crosby, whose determination is fueled by details and an obsession with routine. He said that his state of mind every season is the same – an approach that prepares him to play in June. He maintains that he has not seriously considered a business to this point.
“I know that if all my energy is not towards what it should be, then I do not give myself the best chance that it succeeds,” said Crosby. “If it ever came to this point, I would discuss it, but I don’t feel like I am there.”
The two -year extension of Crosby, he signed kicks for the summer of 2024 this season. It is extremely suitable for teams: an average annual value of $ 8.7 million, perhaps half what it could receive on the free market. It is also an extremely negotiable contract – and all the cards belong to Crosby, which has a complete clause without movement. The sources of the league believe that the Penguins would never approach Crosby to give him up, by deference to him. A business should be taken to Crosby. He would choose time and he would choose the destination. Penguins should obtain compensation that they thought they were fair. And everything would probably be quietly.
Or it might not happen at all. The future of Crosby is entirely in his hands. He wants to win again as bad as anyone – but at Pittsburgh. At this stage of his career, he has demonstrated incredible loyalty to Pittsburgh, as well as his teammates. This is particularly true with Malkin and Letang; They are a trio of the oldest teammates in the main North American sports story
“He is a very special person for me because he is probably my best friend here in Pittsburgh,” said Malkin. “The first guy I met when I went to Pittsburgh, I’m going to dine with Mario (Lemieux) and Sid. And afterwards, we are always together. I mean, he sent me an SMS all summer, you know? Sometimes, as, we need to understand each other. Some are games, games, families, you know?
Malkin is entering the last year of his contract and commercial speculation is also accelerated around his name. While the Penguins opened the camp, Malkin said that he hoped that it will not be his last season at Pittsburgh, but admitted that it would depend both in the way in which he and the team play. Malkin scored 16 goals and 50 points in 68 games last season. Letang is signed until 2028.
Another name to watch this season will be Bryan Rust, the Crosby winger on the upper line. Rust is signed over the next three seasons. The 33 -year -old man is happy in Pittsburgh and wants to stay. However, he has no commercial protection. If the Penguins get a fairly good offer – a package that could speed up reconstruction – Rust could be exchanged like Jake Guentzel two years ago.
It is not only friendships on the ice for Crosby who train him in Pittsburgh: these are relations with the community.
“We have the visit of the children’s hospital that we do once a year with the whole team. There are tons of cameras,” said Letang. “But he will also go and see patients in another hospital and it’s completely out of radar. And, you know, I witnessed because he asked me to come with him a year and see what he was doing.”
Hockey for young people in Pittsburgh has exploded since the arrival of Crosby. Little Penguins learns to play the program launched by Crosby in 2008 introduced thousands of children to this sport. Crosby and the city are in a long -term relationship that has really benefited them both.
“I still remember my first day when I went to the airport, going down the mechanical stairs, and it was just crowded,” said Crosby. “To have this kind of welcome, then just, just when you arrive at the skating rink to live with Mario, so much incredible first impressions, but then great memories for a long time that I have gone there, and I could not be more grateful than it worked like that and that I was written there.”
Relatives of Crosby say that the distinction of carrying only one jersey is something he strongly considers. When Captain Kopitar of Los Angeles Kings announced his retirement after this season, he noted that playing his entire career in a city was a major pride for him.
However, there is a counterpoint: Tom Brady. His reputation in New England is still like his franchise legend of all time. But after 20 years, he signed with the Buccaneers and was able to finish his career with another championship there.
So this comes down to the question: what motivates Crosby at this stage?
“When you play, if you still have a passion, I think you find different things that motivate you,” said Crosby. “This year is obviously an Olympic year, so you know, it is a great motivation. But as far as being concerned, I think that the motivation is just to be my best. You know, whatever, you know, whatever age and expectations, all that. I always try to be my best, and that is enough for me.”
Malkin went further.
“I think he mentally wants to show every year that he can play 100%,” said Malkin. “And the mentality, like, maybe one more cup, you know? We want to win again together. Because the last cup, as 10 years ago.”
In fact, it has only been eight years that the Penguins have won for the last time. But for a big one of all time, it can feel like forever.
