Kyle Dubas addresses Sidney Crosby's future with Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are still clinging to life in the Eastern Conference playoff race, as their 6-3 victory on Sunday evening over the struggling Red Wings kept them mathematically alive in the standings. However, is it only delaying the inevitable? 

It's no secret that the franchise iconic trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, all of whom played pivotal roles in the Stanley Cup championships of 2009, 2016 and 2017, are all on the wrong side of 35 years of age. Many feel that the Penguins could be heading for a long, uncomfortable rebuild as the playing careers of the aforementioned players begin to wind down. 

Crosby made no secret that he didn't like the fact that his friend and teammate Jake Guentzel was traded at the NHL Trade Deadline earlier this month to the Carolina Hurricanes, leading to speculation that he could potentially seek a move himself out of Pittsburgh in an attempt to chase one more Stanley Cup win before he hangs up his skates for good. 

However, reports surfaced earlier in the week that there is progress being made on an extension for Crosby that would keep him in Pittsburgh beyond next season when his current contract expires. And now, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is addressing Crosby's future with the Penguins. 

“Sure, I think that will be a private discussion with Sid, myself and (agent) Pat Brisson once the season is over,’’ Dubas said.

“But I think everyone’s been pretty clear on where they stand on the fact everyone would like to see him end his career in Pittsburgh and it’s my intention that in those years that we’re back and definitively contending.’’

He continued:

“I think you’d be remiss not to seek his opinion and how he’s feeling,’’ Dubas said. “Obviously he’s done so much for the city of Pittsburgh and for the Penguins. … I want his opinion, I value his opinion.

“We may not always agree and I might have to do things in the short run he disagrees with.’’

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