Sidney Crosby’s trade rumors are an enigma, just like Connor McDavid’s. With Sidney Crosby getting closer to his 39th birthday, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins is still one of the most productive players in the NHL, but he’s facing some tougher challenges these days. Even though Crosby has been incredibly consistent, racking up 91 points (33 goals, 58 assists) in the 2024-25 season, the Penguins have missed the playoffs for three years in a row and aren’t really in the mix for the Stanley Cup.

The team is going through some changes with General Manager Kyle Dubas at the helm. He’s really focused on a rebuild that brings in young talent instead of just trying to win right away. Crosby, who really cares about Pittsburgh and has that competitive edge, is in a tough position as he heads into the last stretch of his amazing career.

The growing tension between Crosby’s unwavering loyalty and his desire to compete for championships has sparked significant speculation across the league. So, on X, NHL Rumor Report shared some insights from insider Pierre LeBrun regarding Sidney Crosby’s future in hockey. He mentioned, “I would imagine [agent] (Pat) Brisson has gotten a fair number of nudge, nudge, wink, wink whispers from NHL teams this summer, wondering about Crosby’s intentions.”

These inquiries, while not formal trade offers, indicate a widespread belief among rival executives that Crosby might be open to a move if the Penguins’ struggles continue. Crosby has tackled the rumors with his usual diplomatic style, but this time he’s been surprisingly open about it. He made it clear that he’s still all in with the Penguins, saying, “I haven’t seriously considered anything else.”

But he also touched on how hard it is to deal with losing, mentioning, “It’s the unknown, the uncertainty, the question marks — that’s the stuff that’s tough. It makes you appreciate all those years that we were competing and going after the big acquisition every single trade deadline. I don’t think I took it for granted, but I definitely appreciate it that much more now.”

It seems like his comments, along with what the insider has revealed, point to a willingness to explore other options if the Penguins can’t turn things around soon. On the other hand, Crosby’s future in the sport has been the subject of several predictions.

There are multiple speculations about Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby is locked in with his contract until 2026-27, and he has a no-movement clause. That means he really gets to decide if he wants to stick around or move on. It seems like a lot of insiders, like John Shannon and Frank Seravalli, think he’s not going anywhere from the Penguins. They point to his contract, his loyalty, and the legacy he’s created there as big reasons for that.

So, when it comes to this, Servalli mentioned, “I think it’s still a real long shot. Mostly because I think we’re taking Sidney Crosby — I think you have to take him at his own word.”

The community is also talking about his longtime teammate, Evgeni Malkin. Some individuals, like ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, think that Malkin’s future with the team might play a role in Crosby’s decision. In the end, the 2025-26 season is really going to show us if loyalty or the chance for one more Stanley Cup will shape the last part of his amazing career.