Sidney Crosby doesn’t usually fan the flames of trade chatter. Still, the latest episode of Amazon Prime’s “FACEOFF: Inside the NHL” put the Penguins’ captain back in the center of the conversation. Episode 3, titled “Immortals,” features Crosby alongside Anze Kopitar and flashes of Alex Ovechkin and Quinton Byfield.
Instead of a highlight reel of his career, the narrative leans heavily into one question: Will Crosby ever leave Pittsburgh?
Could Sidney Crosby Chase the Cup Away From Pittsburgh Penguins?
The episode opens with clips from the 4 Nations Face-Off, where pundits debated his future and even suggested that winning gold might have sparked a hunger to chase another Stanley Cup outside of Pittsburgh.
Sidney Crosby was featured in season 2 of “Faceoff – Inside The NHL”
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— The Sidney Crosby Archives (@crosbyhistory87) October 3, 2025
Paul Bissonnette, one of Crosby’s most vocal supporters but also a frequent agitator on the subject, lamented that fans had been “robbed” of seeing him in playoff hockey these last few years.
It showed that people still wonder whether the 38-year-old could finish his career elsewhere.
The show then pivots to Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, who didn’t shy away from addressing the speculation. Filmed around last season’s trade deadline, Brisson admitted teams were curious whether Crosby could be pried away.
“People say, ‘Is Sidney going to get traded?’ Teams want to know if there’s a possibility they can get that No. 1 center,” he said.
Brisson added that being stuck outside the playoffs after more than a thousand games and multiple championships “must be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
That kind of honesty, even if not new, inevitably fueled headlines. Crosby may have a no-move clause and a contract that runs through 2027 at $8.7 million per year, but the idea of him in another jersey continues to surface whenever the Penguins stumble.
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Midway through the episode, Crosby himself addresses the subject directly. He acknowledged that losing seasons bring thoughts no player can fully block out.
“When you’re losing and not sure where things are going to end up and you hear all the rumors, there’s obviously thoughts that run through your head,” he admitted.
But he pushed back against the idea that it ever got close. “I wouldn’t say it was close, no. You take so much pride in being part of the team and the organization. The people there have been so great to me… that’s difficult to just walk away from.”
When asked what he still had left to prove, Crosby’s answer was straightforward: He wants to keep competing at the highest level, and he wants to do it in Pittsburgh.
Montreal Canadiens Whispers and Penguins’ Stance
Speculation often drifts toward Montreal, where Crosby grew up a Canadiens fan. His ovation during the 4 Nations Face-Off at the Bell Centre earlier this year added fuel, even if Crosby himself dismissed it with a laugh. He knows what it means to fans, but continues to stress his loyalty to the Penguins.
Pittsburgh’s front office has also been consistent. GM Kyle Dubas recently brushed off the trade talk, calling it an unnecessary distraction, and emphasized Crosby’s importance as a player and a mentor in the locker room.
The real question isn’t whether Crosby wants to stay but whether the Penguins can give him one more legitimate run at the Stanley Cup. He scored 91 points last season, proving he still belongs among the league’s elite. But three straight playoff misses have kept the rumors alive.
Crosby himself reminded everyone where his heart lies. Whether that’s enough to silence the speculation heading into his 21st season remains to be seen.
