Update on Sidney Crosby, Leon Draisaitl, and Mitch Marner
The NHL free-agent market has quickly dwindled since opening on July 1, and trade rumors have subsided as many teams addressed their roster needs through free agency. Attention has now turned to players eligible for contract extensions, with Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers, and Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs taking center stage.
Crosby, 36, has an $8.7 million cap hit through next season, while the 28-year-old Draisaitl’s cap hit is $8.5 million, and the 27-year-old Marner’s is $10.9 million. Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now speculated about the lack of an announcement regarding Crosby’s new contract on July 1. Despite Crosby and Penguins GM Kyle Dubas stating they would keep their discussions private, Kingerski noted a perceived lack of optimism between the two. He questioned whether the Penguins’ direction might be influencing Crosby’s hesitation to sign.
Toronto Star columnist Nick Kypreos reported that while discussions between Crosby’s camp and the Penguins are ongoing, there is no urgency from Crosby’s side.
Draisaitl’s agent, Jiri Poner, told Michael Bauer of Germany’s EishockeyNews that the Oilers need to act soon, suggesting that a decision should be made by the end of August. Poner expressed confidence that a deal satisfying both sides could be reached but also addressed North American media rumors about a potential trade if no extension is agreed upon. He questioned what a club would give up for a short-term deal and how Connor McDavid would react if the Oilers traded Draisaitl.
As for Marner, speculation about his future with the Leafs has been rampant since their early playoff exit. On the first day he was eligible to sign an extension, Leafs GM Brad Treliving offered no update, stating, “We’re not going to address it.”
While Marner’s situation remains uncertain, speculation about Crosby and Draisaitl’s contracts may divert some attention from the Leafs’ winger. Negotiating high-value, long-term contracts for star players often takes time, potentially extending into training camp or even the early weeks of the regular season. The longer these talks continue, the more questions will arise about their futures with their current teams.
