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Pittsburgh Penguins explore center trade market as Sidney Crosby absence tests playoff race
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Kelsey Surmacz of The Hockey News floated that the Pittsburgh Penguins may need to trade for a center without Sidney Crosby, and it hits hard.
If Crosby misses meaningful time, the entire spine of this lineup shifts. The top-six loses its driver, and the power play loses its brain.
Evgeni Malkin can still create off the rush, but asking him to carry the middle every night is risky.
The Penguins sit in the thick of the Eastern Conference race, and points in March matter.
Kyle Dubas has cap space flexibility, but not enough to waste on a depth swing.
By clicking the link in the X post below, you can see five options for the Penguins at the trade deadline.
An impact center changes the math immediately. It stabilizes the second line and keeps the man advantage structured.
Rental options make sense if the price stays at futures, not core pieces.
Sidney Crosby absence forces Pittsburgh Penguins decision
Fans feel the urgency, and you can sense the anxiety every time the top line stalls.
This roster was built to squeeze one more playoff run out of the Crosby window.
A true two-way center would protect the blue line by winning defensive zone draws and easing pressure between the pipes.
It would also let Malkin lean into softer matchups instead of chasing top competition.
The Penguins cannot afford a long losing skid while waiting for clarity.
An aggressive move signals belief in this group, not panic.
Dubas has shown he will swing when value aligns, especially if the cap hit fits beyond this season.
If Pittsburgh targets a controllable center with term, it is about more than survival.
It becomes about extending the competitive window, even as Crosby battles through uncertainty.
The next week will tell us whether this front office sees a gap or an opportunity, and the answer shapes the entire spring.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
ESPN overreacts to Sidney Crosby injury as Penguins depth drives 198 goals
ESPN overreacts to Sidney Crosby injury as Penguins depth drives 198 goals
| POLL | ||
MARS 1|159 ANSWERS Pittsburgh Penguins explore center trade market as Sidney Crosby absence tests playoff race Should Kyle Dubas trade for a center to cover for Sidney Crosby? | ||
| Yes | 101 | 63.5 % |
| No | 58 | 36.5 % |
| List of polls | ||