Sidney Crosby rumor watch, Avalanche trade creates $8.7M cap space, Penguins on alert

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Daniel Lucente
February 24, 2026 (4:45 PM)

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Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Sidney Crosby talk spikes after a Colorado Avalanche trade created $8.7M in cap space, and Pittsburgh can feel the heat.

Colorado moved Samuel Girard out on Tuesday. The return was defenseman Brett Kulak, plus Colorado sent a 2028 second-round pick.

Girard is 27. He was drafted in 2016, second round, by the Nashville Predators.

The fun part is the math. Colorado's current cap space now sits at $8,741,926, basically the Crosby number.

Crosby's cap hit is $8.7 million. His deal runs through 2026-27.

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On a Penguins site, you have to say it out loud. That is exactly how rumors start.

Nathan MacKinnon and Crosby are close, and they train together back home.

Pens fans are tired of being a punchline, but this one still makes your stomach drop.

From Colorado's side, the fit is obvious. Add Crosby behind MacKinnon and the man advantage gets scary fast.

From Pittsburgh's side, it is complicated. Crosby is still the heartbeat, and the room follows him.

A trade would also be a signal. It would tell everyone the Penguins are picking a new timeline.

But cap space alone is not a plan. Colorado would still need the player to want it, and Pittsburgh to even listen.

For now, treat it like what it is, loud smoke after a clean transaction.

Still, keep an eye on the next headline. The numbers line up too perfectly to ignore.

Previously on HockeyUnplugged

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FEVRIER 24\|215 ANSWERS Sidney Crosby rumor watch, Avalanche trade creates $8.7M cap space, Penguins on alert Should the Pittsburgh Penguins consider trading Sidney Crosby to the Colorado Avalanche?
Yes	39	18.1 %
No	176	81.9 %
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