Sidney Crosby's Incredible Character Highlighted Once Again by Gesture for Kris Letang

The Pittsburgh Penguins will retire the sweater numbers of both Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang when their careers end, along with Evgeni Malkin.

All 3 players have played invaluable roles in each of Pittsburgh's 3 Stanley Cup victories in 2009, 2016 and 2017, and are some of the best players in team history.

Crosby has only played 2 years in the NHL without Letang as his teammate; his career began in 2007-08.

Recently, a heartwarming story was shared by Letang about how Crosby picks up his son Alex and walks him home every day, showing the touching connection he shares with his longtime teammate.

Letang has been dealing with numerous health complications in recent years, including a pair of strokes and having undergone heart surgery. Like Crosby, Letang's career is beginning to wind down.

The Penguins have no realistic chance at competing for the Stanley Cup any time soon, and are most likely a long shot to even make the playoffs this year.

They've not qualified for the playoffs in each of the last 3 years, the longest drought of Crosby's NHL career.

He is signed for the next 2 years with his traditional AAV (average annual value) of $8.7 million, but it would be a waste of the rest of his career to continue playing on a team with no realistic chance at a title.

Crosby has found himself involved in trade rumors amidst speculation that he could try and chase one last Stanley Cup before he retires.