Sidney Crosby's Loyalty to the Penguins Faces Its Biggest Test Yet After Shocking Shift

The Pittsburgh Penguins are now one of several NHL clubs that have an opening behind their bench.

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas made the decision to part ways with now-former head coach Mike Sullivan, who had been on the job since December of 2015.

Sullivan was one of the longest-tenured head coaches in the NHL, leading the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup wins while keeping them in playoff contention after their most recent title; however, they've missed the postseason in each of the last 3 years.

Sullivan didn't have to wait long to find new employment, as he was hired by the New York Rangers as the successor to Peter Laviolette, who was fired last week by GM Chris Drury.

Where does this leave Sidney Crosby? Per journalist Nestor Quixtan of Sportskeeda, Crosby could stun Penguins fans everywhere by requesting a trade due to the likelihood that Pittsburgh won't be in the playoffs any time soon combined with the difficult fact that he's on the back end of his playing career.

For all that he's accomplished in his career, Crosby would almost certainly like one more realistic chance at winning the Stanley Cup before he hangs up the skates; that opportunity won't come with the Penguins any time soon.

Dubas even openly said that he doesn't expect the Penguins to be in the postseason in 2026, which would shave off another year of Crosby's career and take him to age 39.

A potential trade of Crosby would not only allow him to chase one final championship in his career, but would also likely land the Penguins a massive haul in return that they could use to jumpstart their rebuild.