Penguins set record straight on Sidney Crosby's future

The Pittsburgh Penguins missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since Sidney Crosby's rookie campaign of 2005-06, and they've already made major changes to their front office as a result. Earlier today, the team fired general manager Ron Hextall, assistant general manager Brian Pryor, and president of hockey operations Brian Burke. 

The Penguins organization is clearly trying to maximize the rapidly closing window of success that they have while the likes of Crosby and his longtime teammates Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are still playing. And based on the comments made by ownership earlier today, they have no intention of letting a franchise legend like Crosby go the way of Jaromir Jagr and wear another NHL uniform.

According to executive Vice President/Chief Strategy Officer for Fenway Sports Management Dave Beeston, Crosby must "never" ever play for anyone else in his Hall of Fame career. 

“It’s very important that Sidney Crosby never plays a game in another uniform other than the Penguins,” he said today.

The dynamic trio of Crosby, Malkin and Letang have been together now for 16 years and have enjoyed tremendous success with one another. They'll forever be icons on the Pittsburgh sports scene for helping to deliver three Stanley Cup championships to the city, including back to back titles in 2016 and 2017. 

While it seemed as though the futures of Malkin and Letang in Pittsburgh were in doubt at this time last year, now-former GM Hextall was able to sign them both to contract extensions. As far as Crosby goes, his current contract expires in two years.

He's showing no signs of slowing down despite having lost the nickname "Sid the Kid" long ago, racking up 93 points in all 82 games played this season. He'll be turning 36 years of age this fall, and as the Penguins continue their downward slant, is it conceivable that he could ask to be moved in order for one more shot at a championship?