Sidney Crosby’s uncertain future in Pittsburgh fuels Ray Bourque comparison

When it comes to Sidney Crosby’s future, John Shannon isn’t buying into the trade speculation. For months now, especially with his Penguins missing out on the postseason for the past two straight years and them starting what looks like a full rebuild, Crosby has come up in trade chatter, shipping him out of Pittsburgh. Though Crosby has extended his contract to 2027 and many fans and pundits do no expect him to leave the Penguins, trade rumours have linked him to the Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens and just recently the Los Angeles Kings. However, Shannon is adamant Crosby is staying put.

“I don’t ever see Sidney Crosby leaving Pittsburgh,” the analyst said on Sekeres and Price. “It’s not a Ray Bourque situation where… he hasn’t won the Stanley Cup.”

Bourque, of course, famously left the Boston Bruins in 2000 after two decades with the franchise to join the Colorado Avalanche, chasing the Stanley Cup he finally lifted in 2001.

Crosby’s case is very different. The Penguins’ captain already has three championships to his name, he won 2009, 2016, 2017 with the Pens, and has cemented his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.

For Shannon, that history, combined with Crosby’s deep connection to the city and the organization, makes a departure highly unlikely, no matter how Pittsburgh’s roster looks in the coming years.

Reports out of Pittsburgh have recently indicated that Crosby is fed up by the ongoing trade rumours and that he signed up for the Penguins’ plan.His loyalty to the team has been mentioned every single time a trade rumour has come up.

Still, with the Penguins fighting to stay competitive in a younger, faster league, fans can’t help but wonder: could circumstances ever arise that would make Crosby consider a new challenge?

I guess it won’t be that easy to shut out the trade rumours for good…