Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins remain silent despite trade and contract extension controversies circling around the NHL world. Since his NHL Draft in 2015, ‘The Next One’ has always played with the Pens. From a rookie player, he grew up to be the captain and the core of the team.

However, with his contract expiration date drawing near, rumors have started circling on whether the captain will remain with the Pittsburgh Penguins or choose a new team for his last NHL run. Previously, he noted how he wished to retire as a Penguins player, but no update on his extension has been revealed yet.

As per NHL insider Nick Kypreos, Sid emphasized that he is in no rush to sign a new contract, leaving a cryptic message behind, “ Read into that however you want.” While theories have been building up regarding his signing since last year, fans speculated there would be some update by July 1. However, with their silence many “eyebrows were raised” as per NHL Trade Rumor.

Like everyone, the Penguins are also aspiring to win the Stanley Cup in 2025. While team GM Kyle Dubas once mentioned how he does not want to replace the core members, it’ll be questionable how much the current roster can handle. On the other hand, there’s a high chance Sidney Crosby will stay with the Penguins considering how much legacy he has built in there.

NHL expert suggests Sidney Crosby may sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Amongst several rumors and potential team speculations, TSN’s reporter Bryan Hayes suggested that maybe Sidney Crosby will end up signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He says, if Crosy intends to wait till his contract expires next year, then he should sign with the Leafs as “it doesn’t get bigger than that in the hockey world.”

Hayes says, if that happens, Crosby will become “the greatest Canadian captain of all time,” and make it really close to Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Mark Messier . He said,

One of the great winners of all time…Come home, come to Canada, end the Canadian Cup drought as a Maple Leaf. [John] Tavares leaves, Sid comes in. It all works out for everybody. Bryan Hayes on TSN.

From @HayesTSN & @frankcorrado22 Is Sidney Crosby better off leaving the Penguins? https://t.co/UBXUMxBUTg pic.twitter.com/r0WXprCyxX

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) July 3, 2024

Crosby’s agent Pat Brisson commented that he’ll speak with the player and ask him what his future vision is. Rest will follow suit. However, if the team does end up becoming a Stanley Cup contender, they’ll have to make some solid changes in their roster system.