Sidney Crosby is fresh off a 4 Nations win, but unfortunately, he is now back on a struggling Penguins team, which has led an analyst to urge him to ask for a trade.
Speaking on TSN's 'SportsCentre', Hayes requested a trade on Crosby's behalf.
"I'm hoping that the 4 Nations Face-Off finally did trigger that. The last thing that was necessary for Sid to realize how different it is, the comparing and contrasting a winning environment to a losing environment. I keep pleading this. I hope Sid looked at that ride with Nathan MacKinnon, with Connor McDavid, all eyes on him again, which is so deserving," Hayes said.
Crosby proved how well he can play on a good team
He based his request on a great disparity between the play of Crosby in the 4 Nations Face-Off and the futility of the Penguins, stating Crosby should be off to play for a powerhouse once again.
"He's so worthy of it. And he finally realizes -- that's enough, like going from Thursday night in Boston, Canada vs USA, to Saturday where Pittsburgh got pumped. You couldn't find a bigger compare and contrast scenario in pro sports, so I'm hoping, my fingers have been crossed for a long time," Hayes said.
Pittsburgh brought in Kyle Dubas to assemble a championship squad on which Sidney Crosby is a focal point, but his signings have failed. He re-signed Tristan Jarry on a multi-year contract, then demoted him to the AHL.