SIDNEY CROSBY MAY SIGN SHORTER DEAL WITH PENGUINS
PITTSBURGH – When free agency opens this summer, Sidney Crosby is expected to have a contract extension signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in short order. Whether it’s the day of free agency or soon after, there is almost no doubt that Crosby will sign possibly the final contract of his playing career.
While that is the most likely outcome, there is a chance everyone will be back at the negotiating table sooner than expected. According to Rob Rossi in the Athletic, a new deal is the end goal for both Crosby and the Penguins; the details may be a bit foggy.
Rossi writes that a deal is almost inevitable, but the details will need to be ironed out, and the Penguins are preparing for anything.
“The Penguins would prefer Crosby to sign a contract that would take him to his eventual retirement, but they are prepared for a short-term deal, team sources said.”
Early predictions have suggested Crosby could sign a three-year deal for $10 million or more. While the dollar amount has fluctuated slightly in speculations, the years have usually stuck to that three-year mark.
A shorter deal plays more in the favor of the player rather than the team. A long deal would secure Crosby as a Penguin for life and keep the salary cap hit closer to his current $8.7 million mark.
However, Crosby can take a more straightforward approach to evaluating his career if a short deal is signed. At 36, he is closing in on the end of his playing days.
A shorter extension also means the cap hit would likely be inflated and close to $10.5 million.
Penguins president and general manager Kyle Dubas has said his conversations with Crosby and his agent will remain private. While the details aren’t set in stone, there is no doubt Crosby will stay in Pittsburgh for the remainder of his career.
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