Fear not, Penguins fans.
It’s become a topic of discussion over the last few days and weeks.
Why hasn’t Sidney Crosby signed a contract extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins after he became eligible to do so on July 1?
A few days ago, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on this 32 Thoughts podcast that Crosby was still uncertain about signing an extension altogether. The Penguins have presented Crosby with multiple offers, according to Friedman.
Is he not a fan of the current state of the team? Does he want to be… *gulp* traded?
After July came and went, most assumed an extension would be announced on Crosby’s birthday on Aug. 7.
That never happened.
Those who followed the saga throughout the summer have chalked it up to both camps—the Penguins and Sidney Crosby—enjoying some off-season and summer fun.
Well, the man himself spoke on the topic that has worried some Penguins fans at the NHL/NHLPA media tour on Monday.
“I’m pretty optimistic it’s going to get done,” Crosby said. “I don’t know what day, but it’s been really positive. Hasn’t been a difficult process at all. I’m pretty optimistic that something will get done.”
The Penguins’ off-season additions weren’t earth-shattering, and signs point to that long-fabled “championship window” being officially shut. Kyle Dubas is now interested in acquiring draft capital to rebuild the team’s dreadful farm system.
Fans and certain media members, with nothing of substance to hang their hat on during the summer months, likely worked themselves up for no good reason.
Entering his 20th NHL season at age 37, Crosby said he feels good to keep playing at such a high level.
“I feel really good. I’m just as excited about going to training camp as I was my first year,” Crosby said. “So, I think the passion and that sort of thing is all there. As long as that’s there, then you want to put in the work and do everything that it takes to be successful. Then hopefully, it can be at least a few more [years].”
With the captain speaking on the matter, and preseason hockey starting by the end of the month, it seems it’s a matter of when, not if, Sidney Crosby puts pen to paper, putting this saga to rest.