Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
Canadiens insider sparks backlash for Sidney Crosby comments on record night
Canadiens insider Eric Engels is taking heat from fans of Sidney Crosby and the Penguins after he suggested a Sid the Kid trade would be best for the team.
Eric Engels is facing heavy backlash online after suggesting that Sidney Crosby should be traded, arguing it could be the best move for both the Penguins and the captain himself.
"It'll be up to Crosby to ask for a trade to continue pursuing the only thing that's ever mattered to him - winning - and if he does it, he'll give the Penguins a better chance of finding the next one than if he rode out the rest of his career with them."
- Eric Engels
- Eric Engels
Crosby's resume is unmatched: 20 consecutive seasons with at least a point per game, 30-goal seasons as both an 18-year-old and after turning 35, over 200 playoff points, and now the eighth-leading scorer in NHL history.
He's also Pittsburgh's all-time top scorer. He reached 1,722 points in 1,384 games, passing Mario Lemieux in just under five minutes of his 1,387th game.
Yet even as he set that milestone, the Penguins barely avoided their ninth straight loss, a 4-3 shootout win over Montreal.
What is causing Eric Engels to push for a Sidney Crosby trade
Engels sees that as a signal: Crosby has given everything to Pittsburgh, but the team hasn't provided a platform to chase another Cup, and he's taking some heat for this.
Crosby's career includes three Stanley Cups, two Hart Trophies, two Art Ross Trophies, two Rocket Richards, multiple Conn Smythes, and countless other accolades.
But since 2022, Pittsburgh has struggled, and even with Crosby putting up 91-94 points per season, playoff opportunities have been limited.
Why Eric Engels argues a trade would be best for both Sidney Crosby and the Penguins
Engels argues a trade could allow Crosby one final run at a championship while giving Pittsburgh the best chance to rebuild and find its next star.
The idea has ignited debate, with Penguins fans particularly resistant to seeing their captain in another uniform.
Crosby remains on pace for 87 points this season, and Pittsburgh teeters on the playoff bubble, making Engels' suggestion one of the boldest and most controversial NHL topics of the year.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 22 | 42 ANSWERS Canadiens insider sparks backlash for Sidney Crosby comments on record night Were Eric Engels' comments out of line, especially that it was a historic night? | ||
| Yes | 32 | 76.2 % |
| No | 10 | 23.8 % |
| List of polls | ||