Four teams in the mix to land Penguins Sidney Crosby

NHL fans cling to the belief that the superstars of their franchise will remain loyal to the team that drafted them. Unfortunately, that is not always how it goes in the real world.

Take, for example, a player like Raymond Bourque, who was traded late in his career in the hope of winning a Stanley Cup. But such a scenario unfolding with a player who has already hoisted the Cup, perhaps more than once, such as Sidney Crosby? It may not be as crazy as it sounds.

Sidney Crosby is 37, an icon, and generally accepted as one of the five best hockey players ever to lace up a pair of skates. The Pittsburgh Penguins are in some form of rebuild, and Crosby remains unsigned. While literally everyone thinks he'll sign an extension sooner rather than later, what would happen if the Penguins decided to trade him? What kind of effect would it have on the franchise? And which teams might jump at an opportunity to add the future Hall of Famer to their roster?

More than a few teams could use his leadership and experience in the game. If Sidney Crosby were to become available, the Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, and Colorado Avalanche would all have legitimate playoff aspirations and want to acquire him. Simply saying it out loud is tough to imagine, but a potential trade at the 2024-2025 deadline could still see Crosby sign to return to the Penguins during the summer, so they would essentially lose him for a few months in order to give him another shot at a Stanley Cup.

Of course, this is all speculative. Sidney Crosby will most likely finish his career in Pittsburgh. But Penguins fans should prepare themselves, although very unlikely, for the sight of seeing their favorite captain in a jersey other than the Penguins. It isn't completely out of the question.

Source: Blades of Steel
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