Sidney Crosby Signals Uncertainty Over Future Contract with Pittsburgh Penguins

At the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said his agent Pat Brisson is in talks with GM Kyle Dubas, but he could not project how many more seasons his body will allow. Crosby emphasized that he feels “pretty good” now yet remains unsure about the length or timing of any new deal.

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Crosby was the first-overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft and has spent his entire 1,420-game career with Pittsburgh, becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in games, assists (1,107) and points (1,761), and second in goals behind Mario Lemieux. A three-time Stanley Cup champion and future first-ballot Hall of Famer, he entered the 2025-26 season at age 39 and posted another point-per-game campaign.

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• 2025-26: 29 goals, 45 assists, 74 points in 68 games.

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• Point-per-game average for 21 consecutive seasons, the longest streak in NHL history.

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• Career totals: 1,420 games, 1,761 points (654 goals, 1,107 assists).

Sidney Crosby not in a rush to sign new contract with Penguins

• Current contract: final year of a two-year extension; pending unrestricted free agency after 2026-27.

Sidney Crosby not in a rush to sign new contract with Penguins

Insider Josh Yohe reported that Crosby is willing to work with the Penguins on salary and term before his deal expires.

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The Penguins’ roster decisions hinge on Crosby’s status. His contract will affect salary-cap allocations for 2026-27 and 2027-28, projected at $93 million and $53 million respectively. A multi-year deal could provide stability; a free-agency scenario would force Pittsburgh to plan for a potential departure of its marquee player.

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• “It’s just a little bit more difficult, I think, at my age, as far as trying to project where you’re going to be,” — Sidney Crosby

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• “Pat (Brisson)'s talking to Kyle (Dubas),” — Sidney Crosby

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• “Crosby made it clear in May that he’s willing to work with the Penguins on his salary and contract term before his current deal expires,” — Josh Yohe

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Crosby is expected to begin his 22nd season when the NHL opens in September, and discussions between Brisson and Dubas are slated to continue through the offseason. The outcome will determine whether the Penguins retain their captain beyond the 2026-27 campaign or enter the 2027 free-agency market without a long-term agreement.

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