Crosby's New Deal Serves as Reminder of His One-of-a-Type Legacy

On Monday afternoon, Penguins‘ captain Sidney Crosby started his – and the staff’s – annual ritual of hand-delivering season tickets to Pittsburgh households.

His first cease was with a household that included a number of kids – together with two younger youngsters each donned in 87 jerseys – overjoyed to satisfy their hero, who did not shrink back from conversing with them.

To Crosby, this was simply one other day on the job. Simply one other beginning marker for the upcoming NHL season, which will probably be his twentieth. Simply one other Monday afternoon.

You’d by no means know be broke the most important Penguins’ information of the summer time simply hours earlier.

Within the morning hours on Monday, it was introduced by Penguins’ normal supervisor and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas that Crosby had agreed to a two-year, $17.4 million contract extension.

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Though many had been anticipating him to signal at the next common annual worth (AAV) this time round – especiallly with each the wage cap and participant salaries one the rise – it got here as no shock to anybody in Pittsburgh that Crosby’s AAV rang in on the identical $8.7 million that’s has been for the previous 11 years:

There’s something so distinctive about not simply Crosby the hockey participant, but in addition Crosby the particular person.

As for the “hockey participant” half? Effectively, you may go on and on about his stats, his accomplishments, and his knack for successful all the things there may be to win.

Crosby is at the moment ranked tenth all-time in factors with 1,596, and there is a good probability he surpasses Joe Sakic (1,641) for ninth by season’s finish. He’s knocking on the door of the all-time point-per-game seasons file, as he tied Wayne Gretzky at 19 final season and can vie for his twentieth.

He has gained three Stanley Cups, two Olympic gold medals, a World Championship, a World Cup, a World Junior Championship, two Hart Trophies, two Artwork Ross Trophies, three Pearson/Lindsay Awards, two Rocket Richard Trophies… you identify one thing to win within the sport of hockey, he is most likely gained it.

Related: BREAKING: Crosby signs two-year contract extension

However that is not what makes “Sid the Child” probably the greatest there’s ever been.

No. What makes him incomparable to anybody else in hockey – and, arguably, anybody else in sports activities – is his unwaivering dedication to successful and his timeless loyalty to the group that drafted him, town that molded him, and the individuals who have supported him through the years.

And Crosby, the person himself, did not have sufficient good issues to say about Pittsburgh when requested about this very sentiment – and, thoughts you – whereas doing a makeshift press convention throughout his ticket supply run in, fairly fittingly, a random Pittsburgh stranger’s yard.

“It is most likely troublesome to place that period of time right into a sound byte,” Crosby mentioned, smiling. “However the assist, the folks, the followers, the group – simply all the things through the years – it has been actually particular. I’ve had some unbelievable experiences and reminiscences, so I simply need to proceed that.”

Dubas, who has solely been with the Penguins’ group for simply over a 12 months, echoed these sentiments after the annoucement.

“There are not any phrases to correctly describe what Sidney Crosby means to the sport of hockey, town of Pittsburgh, and the Penguins group,” Dubas mentioned. “Sidney is the best participant of his era and one of many biggest gamers within the historical past of the sport. His actions at present present why he’s one in every of hockey’s biggest winners and leaders. Sid is making an amazing private sacrifice in an effort to assist the Penguins win, each now and sooner or later, as he has executed for his whole profession.”

Clearly, Crosby’s profession accomplishments converse for themselves. But it surely’s the human facet of “Sid” that has endeared him to a number of generations of Pittsburgh followers, media, and teammates.

There is no telling what the long run may maintain for 87 and his Penguins. However Crosby is assured that issues are wanting up for the roster and the franchise.

“I believe it is nearly making an attempt to turn out to be a staff,” he mentioned. “And when you have a look at this 12 months, it is actually uniqiue as a result of there is a ton of competitors for jobs. Sometimes, there could be rather less – there’s one or two spots – however this 12 months’s most likely probably the most aggressive, wanting again at different years, that I’ve seen.”

He continued. “So, hopefully, that is one thing that pushes us as a gaggle. However I believe it is a good factor, and to have that proper from the beginning I believe will set the tone.”

Crosby is well-aware that the Penguins have missed the playoffs for 2 consecutive seasons. However he is hungry to get again to taking part in significant video games this coming spring, and the successful tradition of the group and the expectations of its followers is one thing that motivated him to try this in Pittsburgh, not elsewhere.

And he believes a fast turnaround is feasible with the Penguins.

“I believe it is simply belief and perception. Figuring out the group, figuring out the group of fellows that we have now… I believe there’s at all times been an expectation right here, and I like that,” Crosby mentioned. “I like that the expectation is to win. I believe it will get the most effective out of all people. It pushes us to be higher, and I believe it is an vital aspect, so all these issues mixed simply make me suppose that method.”

Related: Contract Extension Would Allow Crosby to Chase Rarely Discussed NHL Record

No matter what occurs over the course of his new contract, his dedication to the Penguins and Pittsburgh followers is one thing to behold. It serves as a stark reminder that Crosby is not simply your typical famous person athlete, however that he is one thing extra – one thing extra to followers, to Pittsburgh, to hockey, and to the sporting world.

And, for at the very least three extra years, Pittsburgh may have the privilege to proceed witnessing one of many biggest gamers and people of all time win hockey video games and proceed to point out up on season ticket holders’ doorsteps.

Crosby actually is one in every of a form, and he is in black and gold to remain.

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