“DEAL ACCEPTED: Sidney Crosby signs 4-year, $114.8 million contract with Montreal Canadiens” — would undoubtedly be one of the biggest shockers in recent NHL history. But the reality is: at this time, it’s almost certainly not true. Let’s walk through why that is — and why, despite the fantasy appeal, such a deal doesn’t line up with the known facts.
The star in question
Sidney Crosby is one of hockey’s all-time greats. Since being selected first overall in the 2005 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, he’s tallied three Stanley Cup championships, numerous individual awards, and has become a franchise icon for Pittsburgh.
He remains under contract with the Penguins, with a two-year extension signed in September 2024 worth about US$17.4 million in total — which averages to about US$8.7 million annually under the NHL salary-cap rules.
Why the headline doesn’t add up
Here are several reasons why the idea of a 4-year, US$114.8 million deal with Montreal doesn’t match the current situation:
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Existing contract: Crosby is signed through at least the 2026-27 season with Pittsburgh under that extension.
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No sign of such an extension: There is no credible source reporting a four-year, US$114.8 million contract to the Canadiens. The figure seems arbitrary and far larger than Crosby’s current cap hit.
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Cap structure and stage of career: At his age (he’s in his late 30s) Crosby remains elite, but securing a four-year mega-deal of that size would be unprecedented given his age and entering the twilight of his career.
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Trade / movement talk is speculation: While there is ongoing conversation about whether Crosby might leave Pittsburgh eventually, it remains speculative. Analysts stress that Pittsburgh has shown little indication that Crosby wants to move, and the Penguins haven’t publicly set the stage for such a deal.
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No announcement from either team: Such a high-profile deal would be front-page NHL news, yet none of the major outlets have reported it. Instead, reporters for the Canadiens and Penguins continue to treat any trade or departure of Crosby as remote.
Why the speculation exists
Despite the lack of verifiable deal, the headline taps into strong existing storylines:
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Boyhood Montreal connection: Crosby has spoken about his childhood fandom of the Montreal Canadiens and his awareness of the passionate Habs fan base.
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Penguins’ recent struggles: Pittsburgh has missed the playoffs in multiple consecutive seasons, which has increased rumors about major changes or departures for veteran stars.
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Canadiens’ assets: Some analysts say Montreal has prospects, picks and cap space that could make a blockbuster possible, which fuels “what-if” scenarios.
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Legacy and “fairytale” move: For many fans the idea of Crosby finishing his career with the Canadiens has emotional appeal — finishing with his childhood team in Canada has narrative pull.
What would need to happen for a deal like that
If such a headline were real, it’d require several huge moves:
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The Penguins would have to agree either to trade Crosby or mine a massive new contract extension that offers four years at US$114.8 million — a gargantuan sum for a player in his late 30s, though not entirely impossible given his production.
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The Canadiens would need to have the cap space, the willingness to take on an older superstar, and the confidence that his best years are still ahead, rather than behind.
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Crosby himself would have to endorse the move: leave the franchise where he’s been a fixture for decades and commit to a new team and city with major personal and professional implications.
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The timing would likely align with Pittsburgh publicly pivoting into full rebuild mode, thereby signalling that Crosby moving on is acceptable — and Montreal being in “go-for-it” mode, ready to give up futures and assets for immediate impact.
Final word
While the headline is eye-catching and plays beautifully into narratives, it currently stands as fictional or premature. Sidney Crosby remains with the Pittsburgh Penguins on his existing contract, and there is no credible confirmation of a 4-year, US$114.8 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens at this time.
That said — the speculation is real enough that we’ll continue to watch this space. If you like, I can track the latest trade-rumor alerts and contract filings for you to see if anything shifts. Would you like me to keep an eye on that?
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