Insider Reveals Leading Candidate to Succeed Sidney Crosby as Penguins Captain

Sidney Crosby is not slowing down just yet. The Pittsburgh Penguins' 37-year-old captain continues to defy age with elite-level performances, including hat-tricks and four-point nights this season.

Crosby recently sat down for an interview with ESPN's Leah Hextall, and she mentioned the subject of aging and retirement. She pointed out that most players his age are contemplating retirement, not stacking up highlight-reel goals.

Crosby brushed it off, as he doesn't think about his age or when he'll hang up his skates for good. He simply loves the game too much.

That excitement won't be fading anytime soon. Crosby is entering the final year of a two-year, $17.4 million contract with the Penguins, and although Pittsburgh has missed the playoffs in recent years, he's been insistent that he's not leaving.

He's committed to the team and determined to get them back involved. Looking ahead to the future after Crosby, NHL insider Josh Yohe recently suggested that Rutger McGroarty has the potential to be the one to wear the "C" in Pittsburgh one day.

McGroarty's leadership and on-ice personality, Yohe writes, will eventually make him the obvious choice when Crosby is finally ready to hang up his skates for good, whenever that will be.

For now, though, Crosby remains the heartbeat of the Penguins, refusing to quit leading by example. McGroarty will be getting his opportunities, as we've seen this season, to learn from one of the NHL's greatest captains ever.