Sidney Crosby Talks Next Penguins Contract, Retirement Timeline Ahead of 22nd NHL Season

Sidney Crosby indicated he is hoping to play multiple additional NHL seasons following his 22nd campaign with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Crosby, who is heading into his age-38 season on an expiring $8.7 million AAV deal, told reporters Tuesday his agent Pat Brisson is already discussing a new contract with Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas.

"It's just a little bit more difficult, I think, at my age, as far as trying to project where you're going to be. It's different," Crosby said (h/t the Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin ). "You don't know where you're going to be at, kind of year, to year, how you feel, and things like that.

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"I'd like to continue playing for a number of years. I just don't know what that number is. I guess your mind and body tell you that eventually. And right now, I feel pretty good."

Crosby most recently signed a two-year contract extension ahead of the 2024-25 season. He said Tuesday whether his next deal will be a single-season or multi-year contract isn't "something that I'm set on either way," per Larkin.

About when he expected to finalize a new contract, Crosby said, per Larkin: "I wouldn't say I'm going to rush... Two summers ago, ended up getting done. So we'll see. I don't think there's a timeline on it. They're just gonna talk."

The market for top NHL centers recently exploded with the $18.8 million AAV contracts signed by the Anaheim Ducks' Leo Carlsson and San Jose Sharks' Macklin Celebrini.

Crosby has played for 18 seasons on contracts worth $8.7 million per year. He has signed at that value three times on five-year, 12-year and two-year deals, respectively.

Brisson said in a recent interview with San Jose Hockey Now's Sheng Peng Crosby's second deal was impacted by his concussion history, and that his latest extension remained at $8.7 million AAV because Crosby "didn't care much."

"He may sign a one-year deal for $12 [million]. I don't know," Brisson told Peng in July about Crosby's next deal.

Crosby averaged a point per game for a 21st straight season while leading the Penguins on their first playoff run in four years last spring.

The NHL's active points leader will be returning to Pittsburgh next season alongside longtime teammate Evgeni Malkin. Despite buzz the Penguins went into last season expecting it to be Malkin's final year in Pittsburgh, Malkin earned a one-year extension after putting up a point-per-game campaign of his own.

Whether possible trade candidates like Malkin, Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust or Erik Karlsson are still in Pittsburgh by the March 2027 trade deadline could depend on whether Crosby is able to once more help keep his team in the playoff conversation as contract negotiations potentially continue this fall.