Penguins star Sidney Crosby draws praise for latest 'bargain' contract: 'Most unselfish athlete to play any sport'
Crosby has likely left tens-of-millions on the table over his NHL career in a bid to help his team compete for a Stanley Cup year after year
One of the top-five NHL players of all time. Probably the best hockey player in the world since the turn of the millennium. Still among the best forwards in the entire NHL at the tender age of 37. The 42nd highest-paid player in the league.
As unbelievable as it seems, there's 41 players in the NHL who make more per season than Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby. That number will also likely grow over the next couple campaigns, after "Sid the Kid" re-upped with the Penguins on a two-year extension set to kick in after the 2024-25 campaign.
The deal, as it has been for the past 17 years, will be worth $8.7 million per season — an ode to the infamous No. 87 he wears on his jersey.
Sidney Crosby has signed 3 contracts since his entry-level contract expired in 2008:
- 5 years, $8.7 million cap hit
- 12 years, $8.7 million
- 2 years, $8.7 million
The percentage of the cap at each contract's start, per @PuckPedia: 15.3%, 13.5%, and estimated 9.9%. https://t.co/VMjuMADSAY— John Matisz (@MatiszJohn) September 16, 2024
Sidney Crosby has the 42nd highest salary in the NHL. Outside of perhaps Tom Brady's deals with the Patriots, it's maybe the best bargain in modern sports history. #Pens
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) September 16, 2024
when i tell you i would die for sidney crosby, i would die for sidney crosby
— matt (@yinzzzerr) September 16, 2024
“There are no words to properly describe what Sidney Crosby means to the game of hockey, the city of Pittsburgh and the Penguins organization,” said Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas in a statement on Monday.
“Sidney is the greatest player of his generation and one of the greatest players in the history of the game," Dubas added. "His actions today show why he is one of hockey’s greatest winners and leaders. Sid is making a tremendous personal sacrifice in an effort to help the Penguins win, both now and in the future, as he has done for his entire career."
To say Sidney Crosby is a bargain relative to his NHL and pro-sports contemporaries would be the understatement of all understatements. The Cole Harbour, N.S. native ranked 11th in goals last season (42), 12th in points (94) and 8th in even-strength goals (32) while logging over 20 minutes of ice time per-night and being the go-to guy for a non-playoff team in Pittsburgh.
Based on his production and value he provides, the Penguins captain is easily the most underpaid player in hockey and maybe the most underpaid in all of professional sports.
Crosby's "unselfish" new deal was praised by media, analysts, fans and former players when news of the contract extension hit on Monday.
I don’t think anybody can truly put into words what Sidney Crosby did by agreeing to a two year contract extension at the same number he had from his previous contract… He is not only one in 1 million in the NHL he truly is the most unselfish athlete to play any sport.
— Phil Bourque (@pbourque29) September 17, 2024
Incredibly, Sidney Crosby will end up playing 19 (!) of his NHL seasons with a cap hit of $8.7M. That has given the #pens tremendous flexibility to build out other areas of their roster at the expense of much greater career earnings for him personally.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 16, 2024
$8.7 million for Sidney Crosby.
41 players have a bigger cap hit.
He’s the best bargain in pro sports.
Thanks Sid. pic.twitter.com/YUYJ8LBiPA— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) September 16, 2024
To the surprise of no one, Sidney Crosby signs for $8.7M per season. Still one of the best players in hockey and still a steal at that price tag. pic.twitter.com/vBrDpz29KZ
— dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) September 16, 2024
If Crosby wanted to be the highest-paid player in the NHL throughout his career, he easily could have been. Instead, he'll have made $8.7 million the whole way.
Using % of the cap, here's how Sid's $8.7M compares to the highest cap hit in the league throughout his career: pic.twitter.com/3VV3UH8OWa— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) September 16, 2024
Is there a more loyal, selfless, team-focused star in all of professional sports than Sidney Crosby?
I would say no.— Penguins Jesus (@PenguinsJesus) September 16, 2024
It wasn't just serious praise for Crosby however, as the Internet, of course, had plenty of jokes regarding Crosby's hilariously lackadaisical — and self-assured — attitude when it comes to signing contracts.
Sidney Crosby getting an $8.7M AAV on his "new" contract pic.twitter.com/9M4cjKxDrD
— Evan Sporer (@ev_sporer) September 16, 2024
sidney crosby whenever it's time to negotiate a new contract pic.twitter.com/Z1yzOn4WKP
— Ava (@avatarrant) September 16, 2024
Sidney Crosby all summer knowing he’s going to resign with the Penguins for 8.7 million again pic.twitter.com/jdbwDr2TSz
— ४ Cas ४ (@pensfan8714) September 16, 2024
Sidney Crosby being offered any number other than 8.7 million per year pic.twitter.com/fylglxrZYA
— Wreck It (@Wreck_It_15) September 16, 2024
Crosby when re-signing https://t.co/iYn0i32EBm pic.twitter.com/alF13oFc4N
— connor smythe (@edmonton_eulers) September 16, 2024
In a candid press clip from Monday, Crosby broke down his philosophy when it comes to signing contracts and taking less money to put his team in position to win year after year.
It doesn't get much more "team first" than this dude.
Sidney Crosby on why he’s never sought to be more highly compensated with Penguins — via @TheAthleticNHL pic.twitter.com/IyQvjQxbrE
— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) September 16, 2024
"I think winning is the most important thing to me and I think understanding the dynamic and how it works and trying to give the team the best possible chance to be successful — ultimately you have to go out there and do your best and do your job," Crosby said via The Athletic.
"I think I'm more focused on that than the (contract) number I guess ... that's my approach and that's how I've always kind of seen it," he added.
The future Hall Of Famer's humility was on full display within hours of inking his new deal. Just like they do every season, Penguins players went door-to-door and personally delivered season tickets to fans.
One of the best traditions in sports is the fact that the Pittsburgh Penguins use players to hand-deliver season tickets.
Imagine Sidney Crosby walking up to your house!
(🎥: @PensInsideScoop)pic.twitter.com/tBeOUMfH9l— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) September 16, 2024
On the ice, however, one of the game's nicest, most humble stars has been a savage his entire career.
The longtime Penguin — selected No. 1 overall in the 2005 NHL Draft — ranks first among active players and 10th all-time in points (1,596), second among actives and 21st all-time in goals (592) and is one of only 14 players in NHL history to join the 1,000-assist club.
Crosby also has a boatload of individual and team awards to his name, including two Hart trophies as league MVP, two Rocket Richard trophies as the NHL's leading goal-getter, a pair of scoring titles, a pair of Conn Smythe trophy's as the MVP of the playoffs, and eight All-Star selections, among other accolades.
Arguably the greatest player of this general has led the Penguins to three Stanley Cups and is a two-time Olympic gold medallist with Team Canada.