A team that was once fashioned around and invariably associated with Sidney Crosby could now be willing to trade him; after all, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Crosby might part ways with each other.
Could Crosby be headed to the Montreal Canadiens after all these years of phenomenal hockey in Pittsburgh? Elliotte Friedman believes there may be more merit to such speculation than previously expected.
Is a Sidney Crosby Trade to the Montreal Canadiens Becoming a Real Possibility?
Crosby has repeatedly expressed his loyalty to the Penguins through actions and words. Even though the Pittsburgh outfit has failed to produce at an elite level in recent years, this is the same team Crosby led to three Stanley Cup championships in 2009, 2016, and 2017.
Yet, any team that has tasted one too many defeats must face uncomfortable repercussions: the Penguins and Crosby are at that juncture. If it were to Crosby, he would remain in Pittsburgh, but the team’s poor performance, which is expected to get no better in the next season, has exacerbated the trade rumors. Friedman believes the speculation linking Crosby to the Habs is not just the figment of someone’s imagination.
“I know the Montreal speculation has exploded; I don’t think it’s impossible; if he agreed to be traded, I think Montreal would be on a very short list of teams he’d be willing to consider,” noted Friedman at La Poche Bleue. Friedman adds to the existing chatter on the subject that only gets louder every day.
Elliotte Friedman: Re Sidney Crosby: I know the Montreal speculation has exploded; I don’t think it’s impossible; if he agreed to be traded, I think Montreal would be on a very short list of teams he’d be willing to consider – La Poche Bleue (9/18)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 22, 2025
Recently, Arpon Basu, the Editor-in-Chief of The Athletic Montreal, elaborated on why the Canadiens were the most likely destination for the Penguins captain. Of course, GM Kyle Dubas would only agree to a favorable trade. Habs GM Kent Hughes has precisely what Dubas could ask for: promising young players and draft picks.
Basu even went so far as to call a trade that takes Crosby to Montreal a “fairy tale ending.” Notwithstanding his age, Crosby was still among the league’s Top 5 centers. There is little to dismiss his potential and infinite hockey wisdom. Moreover, the 38-year-old is not just a hockey player; Crosby is a Canadian icon: he is culturally significant in his own right. In his capacity, he can help the Canadiens address their drawback of lacking depth in the center.
Most importantly, if a trade surrounding Crosby does happen, the standout center must be completely willing to waive his no-movement clause. The Canadiens are among the few teams Crosby will be eager to consider. Growing up, he was a Habs fan, which can significantly increase the appeal of such a trade to Crosby.
