The short-term playing future of Pittsburgh Penguins superstar captain Sidney Crosby has understandably hovered over the club ever since he suffered a lower-body injury during the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics men’s hockey tournament in February.
That said, the fact that Crosby is currently under contract only through the 2026-27 season has left some wondering if the 38-year-old is thinking about calling time on his playing career once that deal expires. On Tuesday, Josh Yohe of The Athletic hinted that Crosby could continue featuring for the Penguins into his 40s.
Is Sidney Crosby more optimistic about Penguins’ future than before?
“Given how good this team could become in the next few years, there is a belief within the organization that Sidney Crosby might stick around for a while,” Yohe wrote. “He’s been in a noticeably good mood all season, presumably because the Penguins are winning, which is all he wants.”
Before the start of the season, Crosby and his agent suggested that the three-time Stanley Cup champion could be open to eventually playing for a different team amid what was thought to be Pittsburgh’s ongoing roster rebuild. The Penguins have since emerged as the top surprise team of the ongoing campaign, and 34-18-15 Pittsburgh began Wednesday in the second playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division standings.
While Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas has embraced a youth-movement mentality, there’s no indication he will shove either Crosby or fellow franchise icon Evgeni Malkin out the door anytime soon.
However, Malkin turns 40 years old this coming summer and is in the final year of his deal. Getting Malkin to accept a one-year agreement could become Dubas’ first task whenever the Pens play their final game of the season, as the executive will likely want to keep Crosby happy for the foreseeable future.
Sidney Crosby already thinking beyond end of current contract?
“There’s been a different feeling around the Penguins captain this season,” Yohe added. “He’s loving this team. One year is left on his contract, but I’ve yet to speak with anyone close to Crosby who thinks next season will be his last in the NHL.”
In September, Crosby insisted that Pittsburgh “is where I want to be.” That shouldn’t change this coming summer, even if the ahead-of-schedule Penguins fail to qualify for this year’s postseason tournament.