Sidney Crosby isn’t going anywhere.
The longtime Pittsburgh Penguins captain has signed a contract extension that will keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2026-27 season, the team announced Monday.
The two-year extension is worth $8.7 million annually. The first year of Crosby’s contract includes a $780,000 salary and a $9 million signing bonus, with a $1.09 million salary and a $6.53 million signing bonus in the second year of the contract, according to multiple reports.
According to multiple reports, Crosby decided to go for a shorter, two-year extension — rather than a three- or four-year deal that was reportedly in the works — to avoid becoming a burden to the team given his age. Crosby also reportedly opted to accept a smaller deal than he could have gotten in order to give Pittsburgh financial flexibility to acquire more talent and make the team more competitive.
According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, the Penguins made the initial offer in June and negotiations continued throughout the summer.
Crosby, one of the greatest hockey players of all time, has spent his entire NHL career with the Penguins. He joined the team in 2005 after being drafted first overall. This season marks his 20th in a Pittsburgh uniform.
The 37-year-old center became the team’s captain in 2007 and has held the role since. Crosby is entering his 18th season as captain and is the second-longest-tenured captain in NHL history, behind former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman, who held the role for 19 seasons.
Crosby is a 10-time NHL All-Star and led Pittsburgh to Stanley Cup victories in 2009, 2016 and 2017. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league’s MVP, in 2007 and 2014.
