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Anonymous poll highlights the top three teams players believe Sidney Crosby could play for
An anonymous players' poll circulating around the NHL has revealed the three top teams Sidney Crosby could play for next, with Pittsburgh being one of them.
Players talk. Not always to the media, but among themselves, the conversations are revealing. Each year, The Athletic gives NHL players the chance to weigh in anonymously on the league's biggest topics.
This year, 120 players participated. One of the questions asked was where Sidney Crosby might play next.
What is leading many players to believe Sidney Crosby will remain in Pittsburgh
Nearly three-quarters of players think he will stay in Pittsburgh. The Penguins' strong start to the season appears to have reinforced that belief.
"He's been a Penguin for all his career," one non-Penguin said. "Riding it out and playing all his years there, that would be a special moment for him."
"I think he's a pretty loyal (guy) and seems like a guy who's going to spend his whole career in one place," said another. "There's also been greats who move on and play in other spots, but just the way he comes off and presents himself, he seems like a guy who's going to be in the same spot forever. And there's the superstitions, too. He seems like a pretty superstitious guy."
Others said the same.
"I think Crosby is a Pen for life. I can't see him anywhere else."
"I think he's extremely loyal."
«I think he finishes (his career) off in Pittsburgh.»
"And he'll probably score 100 points again. That seems like his going rate."
"They're not going to let him walk. They'd lose too many fans."
"I think he's a pretty loyal (guy) and seems like a guy who's going to spend his whole career in one place," said another. "There's also been greats who move on and play in other spots, but just the way he comes off and presents himself, he seems like a guy who's going to be in the same spot forever. And there's the superstitions, too. He seems like a pretty superstitious guy."
Others said the same.
"I think Crosby is a Pen for life. I can't see him anywhere else."
"I think he's extremely loyal."
«I think he finishes (his career) off in Pittsburgh.»
"And he'll probably score 100 points again. That seems like his going rate."
"They're not going to let him walk. They'd lose too many fans."
All Penguins players polled selected Pittsburgh, though none offered a statement.
Other teams did get mentions. Montreal and Colorado have long been discussed as potential destinations for Crosby late in his career, and some players believe either could be a fit, which is why they came in as number two and three on the list.
Why Montreal is an intriguing option
The idea of Crosby in a Montreal Canadiens sweater is both shocking and intriguing.
"If you grow up in Eastern Canada, you grow up a Habs fan, right? Just seems like Montreal would be an option," one player said.
"I don't think Crosby will ever leave," another said. "But it would be Montreal if he did."
"I don't think Crosby will ever leave," another said. "But it would be Montreal if he did."
One player who selected Colorado added that wherever Crosby lands, he hopes it's with a contender.
"To play with (Nathan) MacKinnon," one player said, referring to a longtime friendship between the two.
One player who answered Avalanche said wherever it is, he just hopes "it's a contender."
One player who answered Avalanche said wherever it is, he just hopes "it's a contender."
Ultimately, the Penguins came in first at 73.7%, with Montreal in second at 12.7% and Colorado in third with 11.9%.
The results highlight the mix of loyalty, speculation, and respect that surrounds one of hockey's greatest players. Even at this stage in his career, Crosby's next move remains one of the most intriguing storylines in the NHL.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 10 | 143 ANSWERS Anonymous poll highlights the top three teams players believe Sidney Crosby could play for Where will Sidney Crosby finish his career? | ||
| Pittsburgh | 127 | 88.8 % |
| Montreal | 5 | 3.5 % |
| Colorado | 4 | 2.8 % |
| Other | 7 | 4.9 % |
| List of polls | ||