For years, Sidney Crosby has been the face of the Pittsburgh Penguins, on the ice, in the locker room, and in the city itself. He’s delivered Stanley Cups, defined eras, and built a legacy as one of the greatest players in NHL history.
But as the Penguins face an uncertain future and a changing roster, another possibility has quietly entered the conversation: Crosby, the owner.
Penguins Insider Hints at Potential NHL Ownership Move by Sidney Crosby
Josh Yohe of The Athletic explored the idea, as he wrote:
“If the Lemieux group buys the Penguins, does that all but guarantee Crosby is not only a Penguin for life, but that ownership is in his future? I could give you a lengthy answer here, and I could give all the warnings about how far away we are from this becoming a reality. But if this were to happen, sure, I could imagine Crosby being an investor at some point. He’s got the financial qualifications. It wouldn’t be bad PR. He’d be a firm but fair owner. It all makes sense.”
The scenario is still purely hypothetical, but it’s easy to imagine. Crosby has the resources, respect, and deep ties to Pittsburgh. It would be a move straight out of Mario Lemieux’s playbook. Lemieux famously transitioned from franchise player to part-owner, helping save the Penguins during a turbulent financial stretch in the early 2000s.
Roster Moves Still Loom Before the New Season
While Crosby’s potential ownership future sparks fan curiosity, the Penguins’ immediate reality is about roster decisions. Many around the league are watching to see if Pittsburgh will make a move before the offseason wraps up, and NHL insider Josh Yohe has shed some light on that.
Yohe also reports that the belief is that neither Bryan Rust nor Rickard Rakell will start the new year in Penguins uniforms. If one or both are traded, the team could secure valuable future assets, a key step for a franchise that appears to be quietly shifting toward a rebuild.
Josh Yohe: Re Rust and Rakell: Are they even on this team when Oct 7 rolls around? I’m not so sure they will be; I think there’s a real chance at least one of them is gone before then – Athletic Hockey Show (8/6)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) August 9, 2025
However, General Manager Kyle Dubas isn’t simply looking to unload veterans for a minimal return. Both Rust and Rakell are still producing at a high level, which means any deal will need to bring back legitimate talent or high draft picks. Last season, Rust lit up the scoresheet with 31 goals and 34 assists in 71 games, while Rakell tallied 35 goals and 35 assists over 81 games. Those numbers make it clear; they’re not just serviceable veterans, they’re still difference-makers.
Pittsburgh’s goal is to get younger and set itself up for long-term success, but moving on from fan favorites is never easy. For now, the trade chatter will continue, and fans will keep wondering about the team’s direction, not just in the coming months but also in the years ahead. And somewhere in that long-term picture, the possibility of Sidney Crosby moving from the ice to the owner’s box will remain a tantalizing thought.
