A top-tier NHL club, the Pittsburgh Penguins have carried that reputation for quite some time. Having been a part of five Stanley Cup-winning teams during their existence, they do indeed have a fantastic history. Having struggled in prior seasons, they are also struggling to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs bracket this year. Even if they don’t exactly have a dearth of elite players, the possibility of Sidney Crosby’s departure from the Penguins has fans fuming.

The Canadian NHL sensation has been a Penguin for many years. However, some prominent NHL insiders and supporters in the community have speculated that he may leave the Penguins for a team that can contend for a title after a string of disappointing seasons.

If Sidney Crosby does decide to leave the Pittsburgh Penguins, it will be just unbelievable for many fans. Indeed, #87 has been part of the team since they picked him first overall during the 2005 NHL draft. He has been a key player for the Penguins since then, and he has lived up to more than the hype he generated back in his junior days, with legends like Wayne Gretzky recognizing his talent, stating, “(Crosby) has proven over and over that he’s the best player in the game today. And it seems like the more important the game, the more impact that he makes on a game.”

However, suspicions of him joining a team like the Colorado Avalanche arose after NHL insider Kevin Weekes uploaded a cryptic social media post with a photo of the Pittsburgh skyline. Indeed, the community became even more excited when expert Paul Bissonnette suggested that this could be an indication of Sidney Crosby joining the Avalanche in an upcoming trade. But did it happen? Not really.

As seen on the NHL analyst’s latest X post, he was relieved to know that Crosby didn’t go anywhere, despite all the speculations, stating, “Ok, so Crosby is still a Penguin, but holy smokes, what a crazy turn of events. This is the type of trade the league needs. Blockbusters.” But what exactly was this enormous midseason trade about? The Carolina Hurricanes obtained Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall, and Nils Juntorp, while the Chicago Blackhawks received a 2025 third-round pick. Eventually, the Colorado Avalanche also acquired Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick.

It was a rather shocking mid-season deal between three clubs in different positions in the current NHL season. Despite the Avalanche’s involvement in the deal, Sidney Crosby was not included. Many Penguins fans were relieved, as they couldn’t endure the loss of their captain amidst the team’s decreasing performance in previous years.

Crosby’s commitment to the Penguins is evident, as he inked a two-year, $17.4 million contract deal in September 2024. While Pittsburgh is still fighting to make the wild card this season, its key rivals have a great perspective at the top of the NHL standings.

Not much of a problem for the rivals of Sidney Crosby’s Penguins

Despite having top players like Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins have struggled in recent seasons. And the 2024-25 campaign has been no exception for them. But how about their rivals? The Washington Capitals are the biggest winners this season, thanks to their prolific play on the ice.

They currently lead not just the Metropolitan Division but also the NHL rankings, with 71 points after 48 games. They have a record of 33-10-5 and are currently on a six-game winning streak. However, they are on the verge of breaking a franchise record after a 3-0 victory over the Seattle Kraken catapulted them to a twelve-game win streak.

With only a couple more games to play, the Capitals can tie their team record for longest point run at fifteen games. However, the team is eager to play at their best in upcoming games against the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames. They are currently considered a favorite to win the Stanley Cup in the NHL season, and they will make sure things stay the way they are until the very last game of the NHL.