The Sidney Crosby rumors are swirling once again, and this time they’ve made their way to La Belle Province. After three straight seasons without a playoff berth, the Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves at a franchise crossroads. And at the center of the speculation is their captain, Sidney Crosby—whose potential departure could reshape the NHL landscape.
Crosby, 38, still plays at an elite level, but with Pittsburgh in transition, the possibility of trading their franchise icon isn’t as far-fetched as it once seemed. He’s already been linked to the Colorado Avalanche, but now rumblings suggest another potential landing spot: the Montreal Canadiens.
What Would It Cost the Habs to Land the Face of the Penguins?
Habs insider Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports that Crosby, who grew up a Canadiens fan, may see Montreal as a sentimental destination to finish his Hall-of-Fame career. If the Penguins make him available, Montreal might be better positioned than the Avalanche to meet the hefty asking price.
Engels outlined what a possible trade package could look like: Montreal’s two first-round picks in 2025 (16th and 17th overall), or perhaps one of those picks plus an unprotected 2026 first-rounder. Add in one of their multiple second-rounders and a pair of solid prospects—not named Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher, Jacob Fowler, or Michael Hage—and you’ve got a serious offer.
Montreal’s deep prospect pool gives them the flexibility to make a compelling offer without dismantling their future. They also have the cap space to absorb Crosby’s contract, unlike some other contenders.
From a roster perspective, the Habs are still in search of a reliable second-line center. While younger targets like Trevor Zegras or Marco Rossi are also on their radar, the opportunity to land Sidney Crosby—even late in his career—is a chance GM Kent Hughes may not want to pass up.
Crosby’s leadership, experience, and still-dangerous offensive game could accelerate Montreal’s return to Stanley Cup contention, while giving Crosby a chance to play in front of a fan base that revered him long before he entered the NHL.
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