Sidney Crosby’s Loyalty Endures as Penguins Rebuild Without a Clear Timeline

 

Sidney Crosby’s Loyalty Endures as Penguins Rebuild Without a Clear Timeline

As Sidney Crosby laced up for his 21st NHL season, the echoes of his early days in Pittsburgh—when every training camp felt like a test—still linger. Now 38, with gray streaks in his hair and a legacy cemented, Crosby remains the emotional and competitive heartbeat of a franchise in transition.

“I think that’s important, to have that enthusiasm,” Crosby said after a grueling first practice. “I remember being that guy, you know, and I hope I’m still somewhat that guy even though I’ve been around for a while.”

But the question looms: how much longer can he be that guy?

Crosby, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and future Hall of Famer, is signed through next season and insists he has no plans to leave the only NHL city he’s ever called home. That commitment holds firm despite the Penguins’ ongoing rebuild—one general manager Kyle Dubas refuses to define with a timeline.

Since their last playoff appearance in 2022 and last series win in 2018, Pittsburgh has struggled to recapture its former dominance. This offseason brought few changes beyond the hiring of Dan Muse to replace longtime head coach Mike Sullivan, now with the New York Rangers.

Crosby, who has averaged at least a point per game for an NHL-record 20 seasons, admits watching the Stanley Cup chase unfold without the Penguins is tough. And while he’s grown weary of repeating his loyalty to Pittsburgh, his agent Pat Brisson recently stirred speculation by telling The Athletic that Crosby still aims to win “another Stanley Cup or two.”

That ambition clashes with reality. According to BetMGM, only the Blackhawks and Sharks have longer odds to win it all. With Crosby’s contract expiring after next season, the window appears narrow.

Still, Dubas remains committed to a long-term vision. He’s resisted the temptation to chase short-term playoff berths with veteran signings, instead focusing on building a contender reminiscent of the 2010s-era Penguins.

“I have a friend who says shortcuts cut long runs short,” Dubas noted. “We can’t alter the course that we’re on.”

Crosby is central to that course. Since Dubas took over in 2023, the team has undergone significant changes—including parting ways with Sullivan after nearly a decade and two championships.

Muse, a former NCAA Division III player known for developing young talent, now leads a roster that blends franchise legends like Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang with rising prospects—some of whom were in grade school when the trio first took the ice together.

Dubas believes Muse is the right coach to guide the team through this generational shift, with Crosby bridging the past and future. He’s confident the rebuild will bear fruit while Crosby remains elite, citing the captain’s relentless work ethic and comparing him to NFL icon Tom Brady.

“If Sid plays into his mid-40s at a high level, it wouldn’t surprise anyone,” Dubas said. “No one puts more into it than he does.”

Crosby’s competitive fire hasn’t dimmed. He’s embraced the team’s newfound salary cap flexibility—a rarity during the Cup runs when every dollar was spent chasing glory. He knows expectations are low, but he’s focused on what he can control: preparation, performance, and leadership.

Early interactions with Muse have been encouraging, and Crosby felt the familiar adrenaline rush as he hit the ice for camp. He’s aware that most of his career is behind him, but he’s determined to savor what remains.

“You can’t be all reflective when you’re skating laps in training camp,” he said with a grin. “It’s always an awesome time of year—everyone’s happy to be back, and it’s a fresh start. I don’t think that changes.”