As the sun set on a chilly October evening in 2005, the hockey world was buzzing with anticipation for Sidney Crosby’s first home opener at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. The atmosphere was electric, with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the young phenom who was already being touted as the next big thing.
But amidst the chaos and excitement, there was one man who stood quietly in the shadows, sipping on a cup of black coffee. Mario Lemieux, the legendary Penguins player turned owner, made his way through the media scrum surrounding Crosby and into the players’ lounge. With a smirk on his face, he made a bold declaration.
“I’ll soon be forgotten,” he mused, before turning serious. “Crosby will own all my records one day.”
Crosby, who was recently re-signed to a two-year contract with an $8.7 million average annual value, seemed taken aback by Lemieux’s words. “Really?” he mused to the Pittsburgh media. “Like, really?”
Despite Lemieux’s prediction, Crosby has his sights set on even greater milestones. Not only does he have the opportunity to break Lemieux’s Penguins records, but he also has a chance to surpass NHL legends like Wayne Gretzky and Steve Yzerman.
But Crosby’s journey won’t be easy. The Penguins have struggled to make the playoffs in recent years, and their roster is one of the oldest in the league. General manager Kyle Dubas has made some intriguing acquisitions, but the pressure is on to turn the team into a contender once again.
Crosby, however, remains unfazed. He is committed to the Penguins and has his eyes set on another Stanley Cup championship. His new contract is structured in a way that gives him leverage, allowing him to potentially force a trade if the team fails to meet his expectations.
With the bulk of his salary paid out in signing bonuses before the start of the second year of his contract, Crosby could be a valuable asset in a potential trade. Dubas could demand a favorable return in exchange for the superstar, especially if the Penguins are willing to take on part of his cap hit.
While the thought of Crosby leaving Pittsburgh may be unsettling for fans, it’s a reality that could become a possibility if the team fails to live up to expectations. In the end, the love story between Crosby and the Penguins may have a temporary interruption, but the legacy of one of the game’s greatest players will live on.
