Sidney Crosby isn’t going anywhere – at least that’s what those closest to the Pittsburgh Penguins are saying.
The longtime Penguins captain raised eyebrows when his mentor and friend Mike Sullivan was let go as head coach in April. Sullivan, who’s now with the Rangers, had been Crosby’s coach since 2015 and led the team to back-to-back Stanley Cups.
But don’t expect Crosby to demand a trade, says Penguins insider Josh Yohe of The Athletic.
“It’s not ideal for Crosby, who is close with Sullivan on a personal level,” Yohe wrote. “But he’s a total professional. He understands what’s happening here.”
The 37-year-old superstar has only ever worn a Penguins jersey, joining the team as a rookie back in 2005. He signed a two-year extension last September, seemingly cementing his legacy as a one-team player.
But times are tough in Pittsburgh. The team has missed the playoffs three straight years – pretty unusual for a franchise led by one of hockey’s all-time greats.
The changes go beyond just Sullivan’s departure. There’s talk that Evgeni Malkin, Crosby’s longtime teammate, might retire after next season. And Kris Letang, another Penguins legend, recently had heart surgery.
So why did Sullivan get the boot? It came down to timing.
New GM Kyle Dubas wants to take things slow with rebuilding the team. Sullivan wanted faster results. After a couple of meetings, including one at Sullivan’s Boston home, it was clear they weren’t on the same page.
Some hockey experts, like ESPN’s John Buccigross, wondered if Crosby might chase one last championship elsewhere before retiring.
But that’s not really Crosby’s style. He’s famous for sticking to his routines and staying loyal. Still, a lot depends on what moves Dubas makes this summer to reshape this struggling team.
For now, the face of the Penguins looks content to ride out these changes in the only NHL city he’s ever called home.
