It seems as though ever since he was drafted, there have been rumors of Sidney Crosby finishing his career in Montreal. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain is a generational talent, and even at 38 years old, he is still a premier player in the league. Crosby grew up a Montreal Canadiens fan and played his junior hockey in nearby Rimouski with the Oceanic. This has led to him being linked to Montreal, as seemingly every star player is at some point.
Recently, however, rumors have intensified as the Penguins are headed into a rebuild and Crosby is in the final two years of his deal. Some analysts have even made lucrative offers, such as trading Ivan Demidov for Crosby. While any team would love to have him, it’s not realistic for Montreal or the Penguins, for that matter. It’s time to put the Sidney Crosby and Montreal Canadiens rumors to rest.
Sidney Crosby and the Montreal Canadiens
Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh
Crosby’s legacy in Pittsburgh is cemented as one of the greatest players of all time. He has brought the city three championships and has been the league’s top player for the majority of his career. This is the first time since his early days in Pittsburgh that the team hasn’t been competitive. They still have some premier players such as Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and Crosby’s longtime teammates Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. However, they don’t have the supporting cast that they once did, and none of these players are in their primes. Malkin is in the final year of his deal, and Letang has been injury-prone over the last few years. The team is likely looking to move on from these veterans. However, this doesn’t mean they’re prepared to deal Sidney Crosby.
Crosby is as competitive as any hockey player on the planet. Despite Pittsburgh being projected to finish in the basement of the league, you won’t see him settling for a season of tanking. Crosby wants to win, and he wants to do it in Pittsburgh. Trading Crosby would officially signal that the Penguins are prepared to tank for the first overall pick and Gavin McKenna. Trading him would also be a major move for the franchise and Crosby’s legacy together. It’s unlikely that general manager Kyle Dubas wants to be the one to break up that partnership. It’s far more likely we see Crosby finish the final two years of his contract in Pittsburgh. While the Canadiens could offer him a more competitive team and potentially another playoff berth, realistically, Montreal won’t be Cup contenders in the next two seasons.
Montreal’s Future Down the Middle
Currently, the biggest hole on the Montreal Canadiens roster is at second-line centre. Kirby Dach was supposed to be the long-term solution, but his injury troubles have limited him in the last several seasons. The number one role is locked with captain Nick Suzuki cementing himself as one of the NHL’s premier pivots.
Despite Montreal not having a current solution at the two-hole, they have several prospects in the system. Oliver Kapanen, Owen Beck, and Michael Hage all have middle-six potential for the Canadiens. Kapanen may get that chance this season if Dach isn’t ready for the start of the regular season. We have already seen his chemistry with Ivan Demidov in the rookie showcase. As for Hage, he is viewed by many as Montreal’s future number two centre. He will spend this season in the NCAA in Michigan and may need another year beyond that in college or in the AHL before he can make the jump to the NHL.
If these prospects have carved out roles in the NHL in the near future, it makes it more unlikely that Crosby is traded to Montreal. Furthermore, when his contract expires in two years, he will be 40, and it’s far more likely that Montreal has found another solution down the middle.
Other Options Available for Montreal
Montreal will first try to solve its centre issue internally. Players like Dach, Kapanen, and potentially even Joe Veleno and Zachary Bolduc will get looks down the middle. However, they have the assets at their disposal to make a deal during the season. The Canadiens still have an abundance of picks and a deep prospect pool. Not to mention that they will be ridding themselves of some big contracts like Mike Matheson, Brendan Gallagher, and Josh Anderson over the next two years. This opens up the door for them to splurge in free agency as well.
While Sidney Crosby would be the dream second centre for Montreal, it’s not realistic. Even at his age, Crosby’s value is still high on the trade market when you consider how important he is to the organization and the fact that he has two years remaining on his deal. Kent Hughes has surely done his due diligence on the Crosby situation. However, he will likely pursue another trade venue if he feels the need to do so. Montreal is in a great position for the future, and there’s no reason to overpay for Crosby at this juncture. While everyone wants to see Sidney Crosby in a Montreal jersey, it’s not happening Habs fans.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire- Imagn Images
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