Sidney Crosby NHL Trade Rumors Shut Down By Nathan MacKinnon, 'Fake News'

Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon is not impressed by rumors that fellow Cole Harbour native Sidney Crosby could be traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins this offseason.

"Fake news," MacKinnon commented on a screenshot of a Crosby trade rumor shared on Friday during the first round of the 2025 NHL draft (h/t Jesse Courville-Lynch of The Hockey News.)

Crosby and MacKinnon are longtime friends who both hail from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The two have competed as teammates while representing Team Canada multiple times, including at the 2015 World Championship, and this year's 4 Nations Face-Off and IIHF World Championship.

Both Crosby and MacKinnon have already been named to Team Canada's roster ahead of the 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy.

Crosby has already signed a two-year, $17.4 million extension with the Penguins that kicks in next season and runs through 2026-27.

The 37-year-old has produced at a point-per-game rate for all 20 of his seasons in Pittsburgh. He has served as the team's captain since 2007 and helped bring Stanley Cups to the city in 2009, 2016 and 2017.

The Penguins have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons and are entering a rebuild as general manager Kyle Dubas stocks up on picks during the 2025 draft.

The Avalanche, who have 29-year-old MacKinnon signed for another six seasons, are likely looking to compete for a championship on a shorter timeline than the Penguins— but it sounds like he doesn't believe Crosby will be joining the Avs for a Cup run any time soon.