Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 14, 2025
More Sidney Crosby trade speculation plus the latest on the Canucks in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW: Mark Madden believes that, for the first time in Sidney Crosby’s NHL career, the prospect of the Penguins’ superstar finishing his playing days with another team seems real.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
Madden based this on comments made by Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, who suggested last week that a trade was “always a possibility.” He doesn’t expect the Penguins captain to be moved if the club winds up sold this season. If they remain in the hands of the current ownership, they won’t trade their biggest asset during this season.
If Crosby ends up traded, Madden believes it’ll happen following the 2025-26 campaign. He considers a move at the trade deadline to be a long shot. “Crosby’s addiction to routine makes a midseason move squeamish.”
Crosby would have one season left on his contract after 2025-26. That might hurt his trade value, but a Stanley Cup contender might be willing to pay big to get him.
THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu believes if Crosby wants to be traded, the Montreal Canadiens can offer exactly what he wants.
The Canadiens have the young players and draft picks to meet the Penguins’ asking price in a trade. Certain core players, including Ivan Demidov, would be untouchable.
Other clubs, such as the Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers, might give Crosby a better chance to win the Stanley Cup. However, the Canadiens exceeded expectations last season and reached the playoffs. They’re a team on the rise, and Crosby could accelerate that ascension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Only one person can decide if Crosby will be traded, and that’s Crosby. He has a full no-movement clause, giving him complete control over his situation. Given his status as the Penguins’ franchise player and one of the game’s greatest stars, the Penguins aren’t going to push him out the door. The decision is his alone.
Basu also noted that the Canadiens were Crosby’s favorite team when he was growing up, and he has always been treated well by Montreal fans whenever he plays there.
As for trade assets, Marc Dumont of Montreal Hockey Now included center Michael Hage and goaltender Jacob Fowler among those promising young players who would be the most enticing. Whether the Canadiens would actually part with either one for one year of Sidney Crosby seems unlikely, but not impossible.
Still, it’s more likely that the Canadiens resolve their second-line center needs internally or with a more affordable option from a different team before the March trade deadline.
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the Vancouver Canucks’ management will be on the hot seat this season.
If the Canucks fail to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance, Johnston believes there will be changes in the front office. That will put plenty of pressure on Jim Rutherford, the president of hockey operations, and general manager Patrik Allvin.
A source who is a “close observer” of the situation told Johnston that those management changes could come by Christmas if the Canucks stumble out of the gate.
It’s not like Hughes or Gorton to give up top flight future assets like Hage for a season or two of Crosby. That may have some short term gain but would cause long term pain. Of course if the Habs leap forward this season to the point that a player like Crosby could be the difference in winning a cup that might change. But I don’t think they’re there yet.
The Habs could give up a first, mid level roster players like Dach, Laine or Matheson and second tier prospects like Engstrom or Roy. But the Pens would want a big fish.
A few days ago this local article by Garrioch appeared citing a discussion on TSN’s show Overdrive about Ottawa as a possible destination for Crosby:
https://ottawacitizen.com/ottawa-senators/would-sidney-crosby-make-sense
The mention of Jake Sanderson as the expected return soon squelched that notion, but if Ottawa is well placed in the playoff hunt by trade deadline day in March 2026, would an offer including C Shane Pinto and a prospect or two not named Yakemchuk be of interest to the Penguins?
And, of course, would Sid even consider moving to Ottawa?
Extreme long-shot thinking for sure – but no more outlandish than any of the other sites mentioned as possibilities.
Imagine Sid centering Tkachuk and Batherson (one of his summer co-workout buddies in Nova Scotia)? Stutzle would then C line 2 with Perron and Zetterlund, while Cozens worked line 3 with Greig and Giroux and Eller line 4 with Amadio and Cousins.
Gotta love summer-induced dreams … lol.
Sid in Ottawa or Montreal would be an insane power shift and here is to being hopeful it happens.
I doubt the habs would part with Engstrom. They seem to really like him. However, Josh Roy is expandable they don’t have a suitable place for him in the roster.
Kirby Dach is the equivalent of Beau Bennett. Remember him? Of course not. He was injured for more games than he played. Pass. I wouldn’t trade Hayes for him. (Oh man, I just whacked the beehive with a stick, didn’t I).
I don’t believe Crosby trade status has anything to do with sale of team. Forbes has Pens value listed at 1.75 billion. Just can’t imagine a sale would hinge on a player who might retire when current deal is up after next season. This team seems destined for a rebuild. With 11 pending ufa’s plus 3 players who have lived in rumor mill all summer, there could be mass exodus at tdl. Just can’t see Crosby wanting to stick around.
Crosby’s nmc will limit teams he’ll agree to and thus lower return. Also, his age and fact he won’t be around for long will keep it reasonable. Retention will help. His actual salary this season is less than a mil after 9mil signing bonus. Money owed on contract at deadline will be around 8 mil.
Last time Rangers won cup followed a season they missed playoffs. They made win now moves at deadline. After watching a failed rebuild since “the letter”, where multiple 1st rounders didn’t pan out, Drury should be calling Dubas at deadline.
To NY: Crosby (50% retained) and Rakell
To Pitt: Laf, Othmann, Soucy, Terrance, 2026 1st, 2027 1st.