Two Insiders Confirm Likely Sidney Crosby Trade; Are the Leafs a Dark Horse to Acquire Him?

Sidney Crosby is a viable trade option for the Maple Leafs

Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Penguins star Sidney Crosby is reportedly likely to be moved, and the Maple Leafs could be a dark horse to acquire him as Kyle Dubas may covet one major trade chip in Toronto.A tough task, many expect the Leafs to enter the season without a legitimate top-six addition, and although a winger would be preferred, adding another center would let the Leafs shift John Tavares to the wing and fill that void.

Despite reports that Penguins captain Sidney Crosby wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Nick Kypreos noted on ‘The Real Kyper and Bourne’ in early July, that there is an increased chance the 37-year-old gets dealt.

Why the Maple Leafs Could Be Dark Horse Front-Runners for Sidney Crosby

Although there are those that believe Crosby would prefer to play for the Montreal Canadiens or Colorado Avalanche if he was to be traded, the Maple Leafs may quietly be a threat to land the three-time Stanley Cup Champion.

Why, you ask? The numerous connections between the Leafs and Penguins beginning with Kyle Dubas and Wes Clark. Top Leafs prospects Ben Danford and Easton Cowan were both Wes Clark draft picks and the Penguins may covet both players.

The cost to acquire Crosby would obviously be high, likely including Danford and Cowan, as well as an additional first-round pick and possibly more. For the Leafs, though, there is no bigger “all-in move” than a deal for Sidney Crosby.

At this point, Leafs Nation doesn’t care about a few years down the road, especially if it means acquiring Crosby and giving the Leafs their best shot at winning a Stanley Cup in the Auston Matthews era.

It’s a pipe-dream at the moment, but as Friedman and Kypreos mentioned in discussion, if the Penguins struggle and Crosby wants to win, there’s a good chance he is moved, and the Leafs do technically have the pieces to land the first-ballot Hall-of-Famer should he become available.