Rumors of Sidney Crosby potentially moving on from the Pittsburgh Penguins, with whom he spent 20, soon to be (maybe) 21 seasons, and won three Stanley Cups are prominent right now in the hockey world. This comes on the heels on an extremely eventful offseason where some big names were dealt and teams began to look a bit different than they have in the past. One of the teams stuck in the bottom of the hockey barrel at the moment, are the rapidly aging Pittsburgh Penguins. Their glory years behind them and a necessary rebuild in their near future, the Penguins’ aged veterans such as Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, and of course, Sidney Crosby, despite their ages, are still valuable trade pieces to teams aiming for a deep playoff run.

If Crosby were to be traded, it would most likely come during the trade deadline, where teams are willing to trade decent prospects and picks for depth playoff pieces, often, veterans. Sidney Crosby would be the biggest name in this pool of veterans who could gain significant returns to the struggling and rebuilding Pittsburgh team. Although his tenure in Pittsburgh is legendary, there is a chance that Crosby gets dealt at the deadline, but to who?

One popular option that floats around a lot is the Colorado Avalanche. A playoff ready team who has been missing something for the past few years, Crosby would be an immaculate fit. Colorado just lost one of their best forwards in Mikko Rantanen, but also had some soul kicked back into them with the return of their captain after 2 seasons, Gabriel Landeskog. A Crosby shaped edition to their team, and an elite veteran presence to play alongside Nathan Mackinnon and Cale Makar could be just what this team needs to give them that extra push back into cup contention. A strong team all around, the 38 year old veteran would only help to strengthen their offense and defensive game even further. The Colorado Avalanche with Sidney Crosby would be a serious threat.

Another team who’s name has been involved in the Crosby rumors, is obviously, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Losing Mitch Marner may have been what Toronto wanted, but now there is an opening for a fast, highly skilled, defensive forward, in which Crosby is overqualified. The Leafs have the capability to bring some decent young pieces and picks to the table this February that Pittsburgh desperately needs for their upcoming rebuild. Sure to make many a hockey fan mad, a Crosby to Toronto trade would blow up the hockey world more than any other team. Though their efforts would be best spent strengthening their back end and depth, having Crosby’s veteran presence, at an affordable price, is a great move for any team. Personally, I think Toronto has already seen the pitfalls of investing too much on offense and should avoid a Sidney Crosby trade, but that does not mean that it isn’t very possible.

One last team I can see Crosby going to is the Montreal Canadiens. Finishing his storied career on his childhood team, a team with one of the most promising futures who could use a veteran’s presence to influence their surplus of young talent, would be a fitting end. Montreal is coming off of one of their best seasons in a while and their young talent keeps looking better and better. Having someone like Crosby on the team to show the ropes to future stars like Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidov, and Juraj Slafkovsky, could be what turns Montreal from a team of promising young talent, to a serious playoff threat. Crosby’s effect on this team wont only show while he is playing, but years down the line as these players grow together, having learned from one of the best.

These are three realistic destinations that I can see Sidney Crosby potentially being traded to. Though it is not a guarantee that Crosby will go anywhere, and retiring on the Penguins would be the most favored way for him to retire by the hockey world, it is no doubt that these three teams, and others would benefit from having Sidney- three time cup winner, one of the greatest players to ever play hockey- Crosby playing with them.

Comment below where you think Sid will end up, if anywhere.

Frankie G, Hockey Guy