After Sidney Crosby stated goodbye to his final household of season ticket holders on Monday afternoon, he checked in to see if I wanted something from him earlier than heading out, as I had tagged alongside to cowl the visits.
I didn’t essentially wish to trouble him additional after a busy day that started with a casual skate within the morning; adopted by the announcement of his contract extension; after which heading straight from the rink to carry on the longtime team tradition. However as all the time, Sid was understanding, accommodating, and gracious together with his time, prepared to reply just a few extra questions on primarily turning into a Penguin for all times.
The group drafted Crosby first total just some days earlier than his 18th birthday, and this deal will take him via age 39. He’ll surpass his childhood hero Steve Yzerman because the longest-tenured captain in NHL historical past, remaining loyal to Pittsburgh like one other considered one of his idols, Mario Lemieux. I wished to know the way Crosby felt about being firmly ensconced in that small echelon of gamers who spend their complete prolonged, storied careers with one crew.
“It’s fairly cool. It is actually onerous for that to occur,” Crosby stated. “I do not assume I take into consideration that an entire lot, however I believe that if you take a look at that, it is actually tough for it to work out that method. So, the truth that I’ve performed this lengthy, and (Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin) have, that is tremendous uncommon. So, I believe you simply respect that chance, as a result of it does not occur that always.”
Crosby understands the importance of this deal however doesn’t actually see it as a reflection-type of expertise “as a result of I understand how I really feel concerning the metropolis, the crew, the folks right here. That is ingrained. I believe it was extra about shifting ahead, simply desirous to do extra of that, mainly – desirous to be part of that much more.”
However when Crosby does have a look again on his time in Pittsburgh and why he loves enjoying right here, “I believe the issues that come to thoughts are clearly the primary time I got here right here – coming down the escalator on the airport, and simply so many individuals there to welcome me and say hello.
“First dwelling recreation, after which I keep in mind the 100-point recreation. We’re in final place or second-to-last place, and it bought out. You thought it was a playoff recreation. Getting back from the concussion… like, these snapshots or these moments in time stand out so much.”
Crosby stopped, shook his head and smiled.
“I imply, I may go on and on, we may spend an hour right here,” he stated. “However I believe for me, it is fairly clear to me what the town, what the crew, what all of the folks imply to me right here. It makes it that rather more thrilling to have the ability to know that I’ll be a part of it for longer.”
In truth, Crosby is glad the contract scenario is taken care of, and he can concentrate on enterprise as traditional since the whole lot feels established order from his perspective, seeing as that is now 12 months 20 with Pittsburgh.
“It’s odd, I get it, nevertheless it’s simply odd to me as a result of it simply looks like, again right here for one more camp and identical routine. Would not really feel that a lot totally different,” Crosby stated earlier than including with a smile, “I am blissful that is out of the way in which and we are able to simply get again to doing regular stuff, and I may be chirping OC (Drew O’Connor) subsequent to me, and Bunts (Michael Bunting).”
Crosby’s locker stallmates did say his chirp recreation isn’t the most effective, “however perhaps we’ll educate him just a few issues now that he’s signed,” Bunting joked. “And we’ll continue to learn from him each single night time. We’re all excited to clearly have him again for just a few extra years.”
Significantly his two longest-tenured teammates.
“He’s Pittsburgh Penguins without end, like me,” Malkin stated. “I’m blissful for him, for positive. I believe he’s feeling we nonetheless have an opportunity to win. We now have a fantastic crew this 12 months, for positive. We talked yesterday somewhat bit on the ice, I stated (three years), it isn’t sufficient for you [laughs]. You’ll most likely nonetheless play if you’re like, 50. He’s the captain, management… I prefer to play with him. I hope we win once more.”
Crosby sticking together with his $8.7 million common annual worth will assist the Penguins in that regard, because it’s a giant discount that provides administration flexibility. Letang stated he knew earlier than Crosby signed that the superstitious captain wasn’t straying from that quantity.
“I used to be fairly excited for him,” Letang stated. “Clearly, he works on his recreation. He is nonetheless a passionate man. He cares a lot about this crew and profitable and proving that we are able to lead a crew to win one other Stanley Cup. The truth that he retains his wage the identical simply reveals you the way dedicated he’s to that process.”
