Sidney Crosby’s future in Pittsburgh is drawing fresh attention, and the Montreal Canadiens keep getting pulled into the conversation.
Josh Yohe still believes Crosby will play at least one more season with the Penguins, even with the team stuck in a rough stretch. But the longer Pittsburgh keeps sliding and the longer Crosby goes without a new deal, the more the questions pile up about how much longer he’ll want to ride this out.
Crosby’s contract runs out at the end of the season, and there is still no extension in place.
That uncertainty has only grown as the Penguins keep losing. Pittsburgh is 27th in the NHL with a 7-10-2 record, and every setback seems to add another layer to the speculation. Eric Engels had already floated the idea of Crosby ending up in Montreal as the Penguins’ season continued to go sideways.
The numbers show Crosby is still doing his part. He has 13 points in 19 games, including 6 goals, while playing on a roster that has struggled to keep pace around him at age 39.
Yohe isn’t saying Crosby is on the move. He’s pointing to the possibility that at some point, the captain may decide he no longer wants to keep playing for a losing team. David Pagnotta has framed it the same way: Crosby isn’t leaving the Penguins unless he decides it’s time.
Montreal, though, has made this whole idea more interesting by being good. The Canadiens are 6th in the NHL at 12-3-4 and have won 8 regulation games in their last 10. They’re coming off a 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Thursday and host the Colorado Avalanche tonight.
So while there’s no indication Crosby is ready to walk away from Pittsburgh, the fit keeps making sense on paper. A competitive Canadiens team with young talent would be a natural landing spot if he ever decides the losses in Pittsburgh have worn thin.
Yohe put it this way:
"I still think Crosby will come back for at least another season with the Penguins, misery of the losses be damned. [...] However, the longer he goes without a contract and the further the Penguins sink in the standings, you can't help but wonder how much fun this is for him and when it will be time."
In Other News...
Ivan Demidov Update Leaves Canadiens Fans With More Concern Than Clarity
Ivan Demidovs recovery has become one of the quieter storylines around the Canadiens, but it is drawing plenty of attention because of how little has been shared publicly. The winger remains on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury on Sept. 21, and the current expectation is that he will not be back before Nov. 14. Montreal has kept a tight lid on his rehab process, with limited access to his sessions, leaving fans to piece together what they can from the occasional update.
Recent reports offered only a small window into where things stand, noting that Demidov skated once between Monday and Wednesday and is still wearing a walking boot. That has done little to ease concern, especially with speculation still floating around about whether surgery could be part of the picture. For a player the Canadiens are surely eager to have back in the mix, the uncertainty has only made the wait feel longer. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens May Have Found A Pairing They Can Trust Most
Mike Matheson was back in the lineup against the Bruins after missing six games, and his return came with an immediate reminder of why the Canadiens value him so highly. Paired with Kaiden Guhle, he spent a heavy share of his shifts against Boston star David Pastrk, and the duo helped drive down his expected goal percentage in a game Montreal needed to keep under control.
Guhle and Matheson have only had limited time together this season, but the early results have been encouraging enough to stand out. For a Canadiens team still sorting out its defensive identity, having a pairing that can handle top-end matchups cleanly gives the coaching staff a look it can trust, especially when the oppositions best player is on the ice. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Send A Clear Message Before Tough Avalanche Test
After the 5-2 win over the Boston Bruins, the Canadiens chose rest over routine and canceled Fridays practice, a small but telling move with Colorado coming to the Bell Centre next. Montreal has earned the luxury of easing off the gas a bit, riding an impressive stretch in which it has won eight of its last 10 games without a regulation loss.
Colorado arrives with its own urgency after an overtime loss, and the matchup sets up as a useful test of where Montreal really stands. The Canadiens have been especially strong away from home, while the Avalanche have not been nearly as comfortable on the road, which only adds a little more intrigue to a game that already feels like an early measuring stick. [Read more 🡒]