![[original_title]](https://rawnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/c01a3e10c36ec045351d4dd436a41073-1024x675.jpeg)
For those who’ve been following the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ offseason, the most important story has not been their free agent signings, their normal trajectory, and even the surprising trade for former Winnipeg Jets‘ prime prospect Rutger McGroarty.
Nope. That honor belongs to the Sidney Crosby extension that has not but been signed.
Though it is broadly believed – and reported – that Crosby plans to register Pittsburgh, there have been questions surrounding how lengthy it is taking to get finalized, and there have additionally been some whispers in regards to the different two legs of the Penguins’ “Huge Three,” Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.
Every of the Huge Three have various lengths of time remaining on their present offers, and every of them might have completely different paths going ahead.
So who will end their profession in Pittsburgh, and can any of them go anyplace else?
Sidney Crosby
As talked about beforehand – and in several pieces preceding this one – it’s a normal consensus that Crosby will signal an extension to stay in Pittsburgh, presumably, by the tip of his profession. It has additionally been reported by Rob Rossi of The Athletic that Crosby has informed shut family and friends that he’ll signal, however that the holdout has been determining how for much longer he needs to play.
Penguins’ GM and POHO Kyle Dubas has additionally stated that he is comfy with the place issues stand with Crosby and mentioned their strategy to the Penguins’ scenario:
Crosby – by all accounts – is not going anyplace. For a participant as nice as he’s and who has performed his complete profession with one franchise, it is comprehensible that he might have time and area to get a greater grip on when he needs to retire. It is an enormous resolution for Crosby, and it is one thing he is nearly definitely not taking frivolously.
So except issues immediately go very, very south and he utterly pivots from every part that is been stated and reported, it is extremely unlikely that he finally ends up taking part in anyplace else however Pittsburgh.
Evgeni Malkin
If there may be one member of the Huge Three that’s just about assured to play out the remainder of his profession in Pittsburgh, it is Malkin.
There was a rumor earlier this summer that Malkin, who has two years remaining on the four-year, $24.4 million extension he signed in the summertime of 2022, would play out the 2024-25 season in Pittsburgh, then retire one 12 months early to play in Russia.
However simply as shortly because the rumor began circulating, Malkin shot it down, saying the notion that he would retire a 12 months early is “not true”:
Even simply from a logical standpoint, Malkin dipping out on his contract a 12 months early would not appear to make a lot sense, barring well being. He fought for extra time period than what he obtained when he signed for 4 years, and for him to say “by no means thoughts” after the trials of that negotiation course of would appear like a stretch.
Something can occur, clearly, but it surely’s protected to say Malkin will probably be in Pittsburgh for no less than the final two years on his deal.
Kris Letang
To be clear, it is extra doubtless than not that each member of the Penguins’ Huge Three will end, no less than, their present contracts in Pittsburgh. Nevertheless, each logistically and as rumor has it, there’s a possbility that considered one of them might not.
If there’s one participant who would possibly see his profession finish in a unique sweater, it is Letang.
In mid-August, Pittsburgh-based radio host and author Mark Madden reported that Letang had requested a commerce to his hometown Montreal Canadiens, however that nothing had come of it. Though any rumor ought to be taken with a grain of salt – particularly with out a number of credible sources to again it up – it’s a bit fascinating, at this level, that nothing has come out to close it down, both.
Letang is within the third 12 months of a six-year, $36.6 million contract extension that he, like Malkin, signed in the summertime of 2022. With 4 years left to play out on the contract – logistically – it may stand to motive that Dubas could also be , sooner or later, in transferring out that contract, particularly if the Penguins don’t seem like nearing playoff rivalry.
Of the three conditions, that is actually the one one which type of is smart for the Penguins. As a result of Letang is such a vital a part of their top-four on protection, it could in all probability be within the group’s finest curiosity to attend this out and see in the event that they push for the playoffs this season.
If they do not, this may very well be an evolving scenario to observe for Penguins’ followers.
Related: Five Penguins’ Storylines to Keep an Eye on in 2024-25
Related: Opinion: Sidney Crosby’s Future is Presumably Clear – But That’s Not For Us to Decide
Related: Three Penguins Most Likely to Be Traded Before Opening Night
