For fans of the NHL, a cool crisp in the air signifies that hockey is back! And my friends, nothing says the NHL is back like another player signing.
It was announced on Monday that the Pittsburgh Penguins just renewed veteran captain Sidney Crosby for a two-year contract worth $8.7 million per year.
For Penguins fans, this means a lot. But even if you are not a Penguins fan, you can appreciate what Crosby has brought to the league. Crosby is a monumental player that has singlehandedly grown the league.
“Sidney is the greatest player of his generation and one of the greatest players in the history of the game. His actions today show why he is one of hockey’s greatest winners and leaders,” said Penguins manager Kyle Dubas to NHL.com. “Sid is making a tremendous personal sacrifice in an effort to help the Penguins win, both now and in the future, as he has done for his entire career.”
After leading the Penguins to the Stanley Cup in 2007, Crosby was named captain of the team on May 31 at just 19-years-old. At the time, this made him the youngest player named captain in NHL history.
Since then, Crosby has taken the league by storm.
Just to list a few things off his resume, Crosby led the Penguins to back-to-back Stanely Cup championships in 2016 and 2017, and leads the team in multiple franchise records. This includes game-winning goals, even-strength goals, even-strength points and most seasons played with the team. Crosby has also been named an NHL All-Star 10 times and has received numerous accolades, such as two Hart Memorial Trophies and two Conn Smythe Trophies – and that’s not even scratching the surface.
Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins in 2005 and currently holds 1,596 points in his career, the second highest in NHL history next to fellow Penguin, Mario Lemieux (1,723).
“His dedication to the Penguins through 2027 ensures that our franchise will have its Captain as we go through this phase of our project.” Dubas said. “Sid’s commitment reiterates our urgency to build a team around him that can return our team to contention and provide our players with Sid’s leadership and example of what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin.”
Sidney is the greatest player of his generation and one of the greatest players in the history of the game. His actions today show why he is one of hockey’s greatest winners and leaders.
Kyle Dubas, Penguins Manager
Nowadays, you can’t go into any arena around the world without seeing someone sporting a Crosby jersey. He has cemented himself a legacy within the league and is already considered a hall of famer before retirement. Catch another monumental season for #87, as Crosby and the Penguins face the New York Rangers on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m.