Sidney Crosby could sign in New York in free agency

Many of the best NHL players lie to stick with their team throughout their whole career in the league, serving as a face for the franchise often for more than a decade. However, sometimes veteran players decide to abandon their first home for greener grasses elsewhere, particularly in free agency. Among those this summer was longtime Tampa Bay Lightning forward and two-time Stanley Cup winner Steven Stamkos, who signed a four-year $8 million AAV deal with the Nashville Predators this summer.

Pittsburgh Penguins fans are worried a veteran of their team could be the next to make this move. Sidney Crosby has been the heart of the team for nearly 20 years and has become one of the most successful NHL players of all time. Having already recorded 1,596 career points in 1,272 games, Sidney Crosby will look to add to his legacy in the 2024-25 season. However, his 12-year contract with the team will expire upon the season's conclusion, leaving Sidney Crosby open to other teams in free agency. With this in mind, many fans believe that if he does not win another Cup with the team next year, he will either look to reclaim it elsewhere in the league or play with his Montreal hometown team.

However, a contending team seems to be a better and more likely fit for the veteran forward. Among the most prominent are the New York Islanders, who have appeared in the Stanley Cup playoffs for five of the last six years. Aside from their need for a high-scoring and experienced player come the postseason, they have room in their cap space to work with. At 37 years old, Sidney Crosby could be looking at the same type of deal with the Isles that Steven Stamkos got in Nashville.

With Sidney Crosby still on contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins for another season, it may be some time before details on his future in the league are revealed. Hopefully, he can get a better deal than the contract he has been in for more than a decade.

Source: Eyes on Isles
This Superstar Could Pull a "Stamkos" and Land with the New York Islanders