Judging reactions to Sidney Crosby’s contract extension
The consensus around the hockey world is that Crosby left money on the table.
Sidney Crosby’s contract extension is out of the way and he’s on the books for the next three seasons in Pittsburgh.
It wasn’t very surprising when Crosby’s AAV on his new deal came in at the same number as his previous deals— an even $8.7 million.
When announcing the deal, Pens GM Kyle Dubas said that “Sid is making a tremendous personal sacrifice in an effort to help the Penguins win, both now and in the future, as he has done for his entire career.”
What are people around the league saying about Crosby’s new deal? Let’s take a look.
NHL insider Chris Johnston said that Crosby’s playing with a cap hit of $8.7 million has given the team lots of flexibility at the expense of much greater career earnings.
Incredibly, Sidney Crosby will end up playing 19 (!) of his NHL seasons with a cap hit of $8.7M. That has given the #pens tremendous flexibility to build out other areas of their roster at the expense of much greater career earnings for him personally.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 16, 2024
This chart illustrates per year how much money the Penguins have had to use on other players by having that flexibility with Crosby.
If Crosby wanted to be the highest-paid player in the NHL throughout his career, he easily could have been. Instead, he'll have made $8.7 million the whole way.
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) September 16, 2024
Using % of the cap, here's how Sid's $8.7M compares to the highest cap hit in the league throughout his career: pic.twitter.com/3VV3UH8OWa
The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn calls the deal a ‘steal’ and showed metrics listing Crosby’s projected value as high as $10.9 million.
To the surprise of no one, Sidney Crosby signs for $8.7M per season. Still one of the best players in hockey and still a steal at that price tag. pic.twitter.com/vBrDpz29KZ
— dom (@domluszczyszyn) September 16, 2024
Crosby always brings the goods on the ice.
At no point in his career has Crosby not been #1-forward-calibre. pic.twitter.com/0ondmzZV8w
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) September 16, 2024
Crosby's passing metrics since 2016-17 from A3Z... unfair hockey player. #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/SCGH2eFtZi
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) April 26, 2024
93.7 The Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi pointed out that 41 players in the NHL have a higher cap hit than Crosby, calling him the ‘best bargain in pro sports.’
$8.7 million for Sidney Crosby.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) September 16, 2024
41 players have a bigger cap hit.
He’s the best bargain in pro sports.
Thanks Sid. pic.twitter.com/YUYJ8LBiPA
Josh Rowntree said it might be the best bargain in modern sports outside of Tom Brady’s deals he had with the Patriots.
Sidney Crosby has the 42nd highest salary in the NHL. Outside of perhaps Tom Brady's deals with the Patriots, it's maybe the best bargain in modern sports history. #Pens
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) September 16, 2024
What do you think about Crosby’s deal? If he wanted to earn the most money, how high of an AAV would you have been willing to give him?
It's a great day to re-sign the captain!
— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) September 16, 2024
#87 for $8.7 through 2027 We wouldn't want it any other way. pic.twitter.com/8IH5jWoiT4