'Crosby to the Panthers': Trade Speculation Growing After Latest Barkov Injury News
Photo credit: Hockey Unplugged edit
Earlier today, reports revealed that Panthers' Alex Barkov would miss the entire season due to injury, which has now led to Sidney Crosby rumors running rampant.
The Penguins face a crossroads: attempt one more Stanley Cup push with Sidney Crosby or rebuild. Crosby's future has once again been thrust into the spotlight following a statement from his agent, Pat Brisson.
"Each year the team that he's playing for fails to make the playoffs, it creates a lot of speculation" and "he's not getting any younger."
- Pat Brisson
- Pat Brisson
While Crosby himself has kept mum, saying only that he sees himself ending his career in Pittsburgh, the team might soon be forced to make an informed estimate about whether it can retain its franchise pillar.
That choice has been made more difficult by fresh rumors in the wake of news that Aleksander Barkov will be out for the season. The Florida Panthers are sitting on a lot of cap room if they put their captain on LTIR, which sets up a giant trade.
The trade rumors were further fueled by the Puck Soup Podcast, after NHL insider Greg Wyshynski reported on X that they just broke the sound barrier in speeding from linking Crosby to Florida immediately after the Barkov injury news.
At the End of the Day, Crosby Has a No-Move Clause and can Choose Where He Goes
Crosby has a complete no-movement clause, so he has his choice where he goes, but the Panthers are an interesting consideration.
Coming off back-to-back Stanley Cups, Florida is a threat, and putting Crosby among them would make them the prohibitive favorites to win a third consecutive title.
Crosby, at 38, is tempted to chase one last championship if the Penguins decide to rebuild. Florida's mixture of star power, depth, and recent success makes it likely the most sensible destination if he were to leave.
As the hype builds, the hockey world waits with bated breath: will Crosby retire where he started, or might the Panthers be his destination in a farewell tour of sorts on the way to a third straight Stanley Cup?
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