{"id":156906,"date":"2025-09-20T11:03:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T11:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/156906\/"},"modified":"2025-09-20T11:03:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T11:03:11","slug":"how-realistic-is-a-sidney-crosby-trade-for-each-nhl-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/156906\/","title":{"rendered":"How realistic is a Sidney Crosby trade for each NHL team?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sidney Crosby\u2019s future has become one of the top storylines heading into the 2025-26 NHL season.<\/p>\n

The longtime Pittsburgh Penguins star and captain is the subject of trade speculation after comments made at the NHL Player Media Tour.<\/p>\n

Crosby\u2019s agent, Pat Brisson, then fueled speculation while speaking to The Athletic\u2019s Pierre LeBrun<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course, Crosby could very well choose to remain with the Penguins until the end of his two-year contract, which has a full no-movement clause. As Pittsburgh piles up losing seasons, however, the idea that Crosby might play elsewhere is growing more plausible \u2014 even if it\u2019s still a long shot.<\/p>\n

How realistic is a trade for each team?<\/p>\n

This week, The Athletic asked its NHL staff to put teams into four categories \u2014 \u201cit\u2019s a strong possibility,\u201d \u201cit\u2019s a maybe,\u201d \u201cthere\u2019s a slight chance\u201d and \u201cthere\u2019s no way\u201d \u2014 based on how possible a deal involving Crosby could be for each club.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what they said.<\/p>\n

Anaheim DucksThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s play along and connect a few dots. Mason McTavish remains unsigned amid challenging contract talks<\/a>. The Ducks, who have repeatedly said they\u2019re out to make the playoffs this season, may now be closer to contention than the Penguins. If they were on the doorstep of the Stanley Cup, I could buy a trade pitch, but only if the McTavish situation went completely south. The Ducks aren\u2019t there yet (or even close at the moment). \u2014 Eric Stephens<\/p>\n

Boston BruinsThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

The Bruins do not project to be a Stanley Cup contender. Crosby would have zero desire to play for a team that is not championship quality. \u2014 Fluto Shinzawa<\/p>\n

Buffalo SabresThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

If Crosby is leaving Pittsburgh, he\u2019s doing so because he wants to win. It\u2019s hard to imagine Crosby would envision Buffalo, the team with the longest playoff drought in the history of the NHL, as a viable Stanley Cup contender in the near future. He\u2019ll have better options than the Sabres. \u2014 Matthew Fairburn<\/p>\n

Calgary FlamesThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

The Flames have cap space, and they even have prospects and draft assets that could work in a trade. However, the Flames, as presently constructed, aren\u2019t enough of a contender to move the needle. \u2014 Julian McKenzie<\/p>\n

Carolina HurricanesIt\u2019s a maybe<\/p>\n

If Crosby wants to go to a contender, Carolina is, along with Colorado, the best fit. He\u2019d give the Hurricanes the 1-2 punch at center they\u2019ve desired, and there would also be a familiar face in the room in Jordan Staal. The two won the Cup in Pittsburgh together in 2009. Carolina has the assets to make the deal, and Crosby would likely love playing for a coach who approached the game as a player in the same way he does. \u2014 Cory Lavalette<\/p>\n

Chicago BlackhawksThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

As much as Crosby could be beneficial for Connor Bedard, there\u2019s no way Crosby wants part of this type of rebuild at this stage of his career. The Blackhawks are still probably at least two to three years away from taking a significant step. Plus, the Blackhawks are set on building from within and looking to prioritize opportunities for their young players. As good as Crosby still is, the Blackhawks want Bedard, Frank Nazar and others to develop into star players over the coming years. \u2014 Scott Powers<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby are both from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. (Maddie Meyer \/ Getty Images)Colorado AvalancheIt\u2019s a maybe<\/p>\n

The Avalanche could use another high-end playmaking center and, perhaps most importantly, have a group of players whom Crosby would love to play with. If the Penguins do eventually move him, it feels like Colorado has as good a chance as any team at landing him to pair with his Team Canada teammates Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. \u2014 Jesse Granger<\/p>\n

Columbus Blue JacketsThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

Would\/should the Blue Jackets be interested? For sure. Would Crosby be willing to join a franchise with zero history of playoff success? Hard to imagine. The tricky thing is, the Blue Jackets, with an impressive mix of young talent and top prospects, including highly coveted centers, could easily put together a package that might entice Penguins GM Kyle Dubas. It stands to reason, though, that Dubas might not want to trade Crosby within the division. \u2014 Aaron Portzline<\/p>\n

Dallas StarsThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

I won\u2019t rule it out completely, both because Jim Nill has proven he\u2019ll make the big move and because the money could actually work, even with Thomas Harley and Jason Robertson due for big raises next summer. Not to mention that if Crosby wants to win the Stanley Cup again, Dallas is a heck of a lot closer than, say, Montreal. How fun would a Robertson-Crosby-Mikko Rantanen line be to watch? Let\u2019s be honest, though, it\u2019s highly unlikely. \u2014 Mark Lazerus<\/p>\n

Detroit Red WingsThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure the Red Wings would love to trade for Crosby. He\u2019s certainly getting up there in age, but he\u2019s still an elite offensive player and brings the kind of winning ingredients they need to get over the hump. Detroit also has the prospect capital to make an intriguing offer. But while the Red Wings are closer to competing than Pittsburgh, they still haven\u2019t broken through. Is that a compelling enough situation for Crosby in his final playing years? \u2014 Max Bultman<\/p>\n

Edmonton OilersThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

The Oilers are a Cup contender with arguably the two best players in the league. If Crosby wants to go hunting for a fourth title, there aren\u2019t many better places to go in the short term than Edmonton. The problem is the Oilers are tight against the cap and are low on high-end futures, something the Penguins would want. Oh yeah, there\u2019s also that contract situation with their captain<\/a>. \u2014 Daniel Nugent-Bowman<\/p>\n

Florida PanthersIt\u2019s a strong possibility<\/p>\n

If Crosby ever decides to leave Pittsburgh, he\u2019s going to be in the driver\u2019s seat on where he\u2019ll be going. Considering how Florida is the place everyone seems to want to be these days, joining Nova Scotian pal Brad Marchand to try and win another Cup feels like it will be high on his list. Do they need him? Not particularly! But when has that stopped Bill Zito? \u2014 James Mirtle <\/p>\n

Los Angeles KingsThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

If the Kings were in a spot where Crosby was the final necessary piece, it could be a match for both sides. They\u2019ve got Quinton Byfield set to be the heir apparent to An\u017ee Kopitar, though, and this is a team already full of veterans that can\u2019t get beyond the first round. It\u2019s also one staring at an uncertain future in a post-Kopitar<\/a> (and Drew Doughty) world. As great as Crosby still is, they need a true A-list player who\u2019s younger to go alongside Byfield. \u2014 Eric Stephens<\/p>\n

Minnesota WildThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

Bill Guerin, Crosby\u2019s 2009 Cup champion teammate, is here. Alex Goligoski, his 2009 Cup champion teammate, is here. Carl Hagelin, his 2016 and 2017 Cup champion teammate, is here. Marc-Andre Fleury, one of his best buds and favorite teammates of all time, is here. He went to Shattuck-St. Mary\u2019s in Faribault, Minn., and anybody who has ever been to Minnesota and lived here wants to come back late in life. OHHHHH, and Jack Johnson \u2014 one of Crosby\u2019s longest friends and former Shattuck teammates \u2014 is in Minnesota on a PTO. It makes all the sense in the world to give Johnson a contract \u2026 if only to convince Crosby to come here. Seems like Crosby to Minnesota is a no-brainer and done deal, doesn\u2019t it? \u2014 Michael Russo<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sidney Crosby grew up a Montreal Canadiens fan. (David Kirouac \/ Imagn Images)Montreal CanadiensIt\u2019s a strong possibility<\/p>\n

The Canadiens have reached a point in their rebuild where they almost have too many prospects and not enough potential spots in their lineup in the coming years. That pipeline would provide a major boost for the Penguins\u2019 rebuild if Crosby were to ever ask out, and the ascending nature of the Canadiens could satisfy Crosby\u2019s desire to win. It would also be a fairy tale ending to his career to lead his boyhood team to a Stanley Cup. It just fits in so many ways. \u2014 Arpon Basu<\/p>\n

Nashville PredatorsThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

Bringing Crosby in would actually fit in quite well with the Predators\u2019 geriatric leanings. This is a team, after all, of 40ish stars who have seen better days. The Preds sure do have a need in the middle, and, technically, they\u2019re in \u201cwin now\u201d mode. Still, this is very close to a \u201cno way\u201d proposition. This would be too wild and risky for Barry Trotz. Right? \u2014 Joe Rexrode<\/p>\n

New Jersey DevilsThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

The Devils are an interesting team because they are in their contention window, but there\u2019s been next to no smoke about a potential Crosby pairing. It\u2019s hard to see that happening, though surely Tom Fitzgerald would be interested if the Penguins\u2019 captain put out any sign of interest. \u2014 Peter Baugh <\/p>\n

New York IslandersThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

Listen, if Crosby wants to go to Long Island, the Islanders should do whatever it takes to make it happen. That is true for every single team in the league, considering his game-breaking ability even at this point in his career. That being said, the Islanders are retooling, so their timelines really don\u2019t line up. It would make zero sense for Crosby to leave the rebuilding Penguins for another retooling team. \u2014 Shayna Goldman<\/p>\n

New York RangersThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

If Crosby were ever to leave Pittsburgh, it\u2019s hard to see him picking the Rangers unless they appear ready to be a true contender. Last year cast doubt on that possibility. The only cases for the Rangers are that they are a legacy franchise and, perhaps more importantly, have a coach he\u2019s comfortable with in Mike Sullivan. It\u2019s hard to see that being enough, especially since he\u2019ll have total autonomy over his situation. \u2014 Peter Baugh<\/p>\n

Ottawa SenatorsThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

The Senators\u2019 young core still has room to grow, and it\u2019s only now getting a taste of what being in the playoffs is like. Adding Crosby would ramp up their reputation across the league. The thing is, the Senators don\u2019t possess many assets to make a deal work. Their pipeline isn\u2019t bursting at the seams with prospects who could replace whichever roster players they\u2019d have to offload. We don\u2019t need to remind Sens fans that they don\u2019t have a first-rounder in 2026. \u2014 Julian McKenzie<\/p>\n

Philadelphia FlyersThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

Crosby does have a great relationship with Flyers coach Rick Tocchet, so maybe \u2026. OK, sorry, I\u2019ll stop. There\u2019s a better chance Crosby ends up playing for the Chicago Cubs. \u2014 Kevin Kurz<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh PenguinsThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

Speaking on the other side of this exercise, Pat Brisson\u2019s recent comments mean that I can\u2019t say that there is no chance Crosby will ever be traded. Still, it\u2019s very unlikely. He is surely frustrated by the state of the Penguins, but his loyalty runs deeper than people realize. \u2014 Josh Yohe<\/p>\n

San Jose SharksThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

The \u201cno way\u201d aspect is probably more about Crosby choosing the Sharks than the club wanting him. Who wouldn\u2019t want No. 87? But this is a team that\u2019s still at least two years away and already has the purported next Crosby in Macklin Celebrini, whom he adores. Plus, San Jose is going to have to pony up big time for Celebrini\u2019s next contract. Still, having Crosby directly mentor Celebrini would be a great storyline. \u2014 Eric Stephens<\/p>\n

Seattle KrakenThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

The Kraken aren\u2019t close enough to contending to be a serious pursuer for Crosby, and it\u2019s difficult to see why Seattle would appeal to Crosby specifically as a potential destination. \u2014 Thomas Drance<\/p>\n

St. Louis BluesThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a small connection between Crosby and the Blues, in that general manager Doug Armstrong has been in charge of Team Canada for many years, and Crosby, of course, has been a key cog for the team. A phone call from Armstrong would likely get returned, and mutual respect would be given. In the end, though, if Crosby is leaving Pittsburgh, he\u2019ll want to play on a team that\u2019s closer to winning than the Blues currently are. Unless, that is, Blues captain Brayden Schenn could talk his good friend Crosby into coming to town. \u2014 Jeremy Rutherford<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay LightningThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

It really all comes down to what Crosby wants; if he wants an Eastern Conference contender, the Lightning have to be a part of the conversation. Sure, they don\u2019t have many assets or cap space to make a trade happen, but never say never in Tampa Bay. General manager Julien Brisebois has a knack for taking big swings and shaking up his roster when the opportunity arises. \u2014 Shayna Goldman<\/p>\n

Toronto Maple LeafsThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

The right answer is probably closer to \u201cthere\u2019s no way\u201d than \u201cslight chance,\u201d but it\u2019s hard to rule it out entirely given the player in question and how perfectly he would fill a need for the Leafs. The big problem: The Leafs almost certainly lack the assets to win a Crosby sweepstakes. They don\u2019t have a first-round pick in the next two drafts and lack premium prospects. So it\u2019s not clear what they could do to entice Kyle Dubas. \u2014 Jonas Siegel<\/p>\n

Utah MammothThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

The Mammoth are a fun, up-and-coming team, but it\u2019s hard to see them being near the top of Crosby\u2019s list, if he ever were to consider moving. Utah isn\u2019t an established Cup contender, and the organization doesn\u2019t have many players on it who would have an exceptionally close tie or friendship with Crosby. \u2014 Harman Dayal<\/p>\n

Vancouver CanucksIt\u2019s a maybe<\/p>\n

Does it make sense for the Canucks to pay a retail price to acquire a 38-year-old center at this stage of their team-building cycle? Probably not. Can we write it off entirely? I don\u2019t think so, not given that the club has significant center needs, would be motivated to make a splash to send a message to Quinn Hughes and is managed by Jim Rutherford (who was the Penguins GM for the back-to-back Cup wins in 2016 and 2017). There\u2019s also Rutherford and Kyle Dubas\u2019 history of making mega deals with one another to consider. \u2014 Thomas Drance<\/p>\n

Vegas Golden KnightsThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned covering the Golden Knights over the last eight years, it\u2019s to never completely count them out of acquiring a star player. They don\u2019t have the cap space, but this team can get creative. They also don\u2019t have a need at center, so it\u2019s unlikely, but not impossible. \u2014 Jesse Granger<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin are longtime rivals. (Bruce Bennett \/ Getty Images)Washington CapitalsThere\u2019s no way<\/p>\n

There are two types of people reading this. One views the idea of Crosby setting up Alex Ovechkin as too beautiful to contemplate, and one views it as too repulsive to consider. Either way, literally no outcome is less realistic. The odds are better that Wayne Gretzky unretires and re-breaks the goal record. \u2014 Sean Gentille<\/p>\n

Winnipeg JetsThere\u2019s a slight chance<\/p>\n

Crosby and Jonathan Toews have won two Olympic gold medals together. For much of the 2010s, they were thought of as two of the most complete centers in the world. Knowing that Crosby would have his choice of destination should Pittsburgh ever move him, his relationship with Toews, Winnipeg\u2019s status among Cup contenders and the Jets\u2019 favorable cap position could offer glimmers of hope for fans. Winnipeg is not most players\u2019 first choice, though, and it\u2019s hard to see Crosby\u2019s flight path including a late-career pitstop with the Jets. \u2014 Murat Ates<\/p>\n

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