So, currently, the Pens just barely missed the playoffs, which I believe is the first time since 2006. So if we fast-forward to the 2024-25 season (the last year of Crosby's contract) and there doesn't seem like a real improvement, or even worse, they're tanking, you'd probably have to consider moving Crosby, and other major pieces for futures.
Crosby did say that he wouldn't mind ending his career in Montreal, so assuming that the Pens are in a downward trend by 2024-25 and the Habs are making strides for the playoffs in the same time frame (barring a fully healthy roster), I think it's plausible for Crosby to be sent to the Habs at the 2025 Trade Deadline.
Crosby has proven that he's still an elite force at his age, so the asking price would definitely be pretty high. So if Montreal is in a respectable position, they'd likely have to fork over two firsts, Dvorak, who may not be the most impressive or flashy player ever but can still contribute, and enough prospects to supplement without the Habs completely emptying the cupboard or having to let any elite high-end prospects go.
Letang likely has too much term to be an option for a trade in the 2024-25 season, but Malkin with two seasons remaining could plausibly be in play. If Anaheim is on a similar trajectory path as Montreal, then Malkin could easily be a rental option for the Ducks. He’d come with tons of experience, but he’d definitely reel in a first. McGinn hasn’t been as productive as Malkin, but I’d think that a couple of promising prospects could at least make it a little closer going both ways.
I know it’s super unlikely for most of the Pens UFA’s to walk at the end of their term by the 2024-25 season, and I know that makes the roster look like a huge problem as a result, but I did this to make a point. One of the best ways to develop a team is to look internally. Those are the guys who are the future of the Pens as of right now. If the 2022-23 season is an indication of a decline, they might have to start relying on these guys sooner. If the Pens are in a really bad spot by the end of the 2025-26 season, they might get a chance to draft Gavin McKenna, who apparently has been putting up numbers better than Bedard from what I’ve heard. Who knows what the future holds for the Penguins, some of this might seem a little wack in places, but tear the trades apart all you want, the main point of this is that the Crosby-Malkin era is getting its curtain call, and it might come sooner than we expact.
i know crosby put an amazing season, but at his age, they start to wear down fast, not sure he'll have that value in 2 years. maybe he proves me wrong but i think its unlikely
Malkin is going to be in his age 39 season in the 25-26 season, the likelihood that he is still playing by then is slim, let alone playing up to his contract. If he is still playing, you will be lucky to get a Kane like return for him due to his NMC.
Anaheim wouldn't be a fit either, we have Centers for weeks, we would be looking for Defense or Wingers.
I think you make great points here. Really interesting thread. Especially the part about Gavin McKenna, did not know about him. What are your thoughts on upcoming draft and any players Penguins might target?
I'm confused. As you point out in your first paragraph, Crosby's last year under contract is 2024-2025. So what's the discussion about the 2025-2026 season and the 2026 trade deadline in your second paragraph? That would presume that Crosby re-signed in the 2025 off-season.
I agree with you completely that we're seeing the end of the Crosby-Malkin-Letang Era, and it's coming sooner than most people expect.
I think you make great points here. Really interesting thread. Especially the part about Gavin McKenna, did not know about him. What are your thoughts on upcoming draft and any players Penguins might target?
I was born in Sudbury so I have Sudbury Wolves bias, so it would be cool to see Quentin Musty be a top 15 pick, but realistically, Pittsburgh needs someone that will have the Crosby factor. There's rumor that Zach Benson could slide because of his size, but I'm not sure he'll slide far enough to be available to the Pens, even though he's really talented and could potentially be that guy. Centres that are in Pittsburgh's range include Ryan Leonard, Brayden Yager, and Nate Danielson, so I think it would be astute to go after one of them.
I'm confused. As you point out in your first paragraph, Crosby's last year under contract is 2024-2025. So what's the discussion about the 2025-2026 season and the 2026 trade deadline in your second paragraph? That would presume that Crosby re-signed in the 2025 off-season.
I agree with you completely that we're seeing the end of the Crosby-Malkin-Letang Era, and it's coming sooner than most people expect.
I'm just about to fix that, I didn't clock that mistake. I guess I was a little fixated on making a point about Gavin McKenna throughout the entire writing process.
i know crosby put an amazing season, but at his age, they start to wear down fast, not sure he'll have that value in 2 years. maybe he proves me wrong but i think its unlikely
Crosby is a physical freak though. He's always trained properly and had the right diet. So he'll regress slower than 95% of the players his age. He'll still be a 1-2 C the last few years of his career.
The weirdest part of this whole thing is the bizarre Heinen contract, which in and of itself is a weird statement to make.
I was hoping no one would bat an eye at that, but I only did that because the roster was just a stone's throw away from the cap floor with one roster spot left to fill. I know he'd project more around the $1-2 million range.
Habs will likely be a bubble team that season if everything stays relatively on track. Crosby isn't going to be the difference between making the playoffs and winning a cup.
That will likely be the first playoff experience for a significant portion of the roster. Not the time to go all in.
We'll see when it gets to that point, but realistically I don't see it happening and you should try to find a place to send Crosby before then if the plan is to finally rebuild.
What I think will happen is that with 1 year left,if the Pens are out of the Playoffs, he'll get traded to a contender at the deadline for a like a B+ prospect and 1st and conditional 2nd (If he resigns, it becomes a 1st). Then he'll sign with the Habs that offseason since its his childhood team.
Unless the value is very low (No 1st rounders or high end prospects), i cant see the Habs trading for him unless the team suddenly becomes contenders in 2025
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