Penguins’ Sidney Crosby signs two-year extension with $8.7M AAV

CITYnews halifax / By Sportsnet Staff

Sidney Crosby is sticking with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The captain has agreed to a two-year contract extension with a symbolic average annual value of $8.7 million, the Penguins announced on Monday.

The deal keeps No. 87 with the team through to the end of the 2026-27 season.

“There are no words to properly describe what Sidney Crosby means to the game of hockey, the city of Pittsburgh and the Penguins organization,” Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said in a statement. “Sidney is the greatest player of his generation and one of the greatest players in the history of the game. His actions today show why he is one of hockey’s greatest winners and leaders.

“Sid is making a tremendous personal sacrifice in an effort to help the Penguins win, both now and in the future, as he has done for his entire career.”

Crosby, who turned 37 on Aug. 7, is coming off another impressive season where he put up 42 goals and 94 points, his second straight season with more than 90 points and the first time scoring over 40 goals since 2016-17.

The three-time Stanley Cup champion was heading into the final year of his 12-year, $104.4-million deal that also came with an $8.7-million cap hit.

Crosby made it clear his desire to stay in Pittsburgh and eventually finish his career with the club that selected him first overall in the 2005 NHL Draft.

“Sid’s work ethic, focus, character, and mastery of his craft are the stuff of legends to those inside of hockey. Yet, what makes Sid most special is that he actually surpasses that legend with his daily commitment to his craft and to helping the Penguins win,” Dubas said. “His dedication to the Penguins through 2027 ensures that our franchise will have its captain as we go through this phase of our project. Sid’s commitment reiterates our urgency to build a team around him that can return our team to contention and provide our players with Sid’s leadership and example of what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin.”

The deal now keeps the trio of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang together for another chance to try to compete for the Stanley Cup. However, the Penguins have not qualified for the post-season the last two seasons, despite making big splashes with a blockbuster trade for defenceman Erik Karlsson.

Crosby has has recorded 592 goals and 1,596 points over 19 seasons with the Penguins.

The Cole Harbour, N.S., native will be will be entering his franchise-record 20th season in a Penguins uniform and 18th with the ‘C’ on his sweater, trailing only Detroit’s Steve Yzerman (19) as the longest-tenured captain in NHL history.