The Colorado Avalanche are flying high right now. With the best record in the league and the most points to show for it, they’re not just winning-they’re dominating.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves in a very different spot. Sure, they’ve tallied 59 points and sit sixth in the Eastern Conference, but in a crowded playoff race, nothing is guaranteed.
And that uncertainty raises a big, bold question: Could Sidney Crosby actually be on the move?
Let’s be clear-Crosby is still under contract through next season at $8.7 million, and he’s still producing. But with Pittsburgh looking more like a team in transition than a true contender, it’s fair to wonder whether the organization might entertain the idea of giving their franchise icon a shot at one more deep playoff run-somewhere else.
Enter the Avalanche.
The Crosby-to-Colorado idea isn’t just a pipe dream-it’s rooted in real ties and real need. Crosby and Avs superstar Nathan MacKinnon go way back to their Halifax roots.
They’ve trained together, played together in international competition, and yes, even shared the screen in a few commercials. The chemistry is there.
And from a hockey standpoint, the fit makes a ton of sense.
Colorado is already a powerhouse, but adding a player like Crosby-still one of the smartest, most effective centers in the game-would take them to another level. He’s not just a name; he’s a playoff performer with three Stanley Cups and a résumé full of clutch moments. In a tight postseason series, that kind of experience can be the difference between lifting the Cup and falling just short.
Of course, pulling off a trade like this wouldn’t be simple. The Avalanche are short on draft capital in the near term, but they could potentially offer a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft, along with a current roster player.
One name that could come up in those conversations? Defenseman Sam Girard.
Girard is a solid piece on Colorado’s blue line, but with the depth they’ve built on defense, he might be a movable asset-especially if it means bringing in a game-changer like Crosby. Trading Girard would leave a hole, no doubt, but the offensive boost and leadership Crosby provides might be worth the risk.
Then there’s the cap situation. Crosby’s $8.7 million hit for 2026-27 isn’t insignificant, especially for a contender like Colorado that’s already managing a tight budget.
That’s where some salary retention comes into play. Much like the Avs did when they moved Ryan Johansen to Philadelphia-adding a first-rounder to make the salary work-they’d likely need to offer a sweetener to get Pittsburgh to eat a chunk of Crosby’s deal.
That’s where that 2027 second-round pick becomes even more valuable.
If the Penguins are open to a partial rebuild and Crosby is open to chasing one more Cup with a legitimate contender, this could be one of the most fascinating trade scenarios of the season. It’s not just about nostalgia or sentiment-it’s about fit, opportunity, and timing.
Crosby in burgundy and blue? It’s not reality yet. But it’s a move that would shake up the league and give one of the game’s greats a chance to chase a fourth Cup alongside a close friend-and on a team that just might be built to win it all.