Sidney Crosby Says Penguins Are 'Where I Want to Be' amid Canadiens, NHL Trade Rumors

Sidney Crosby made it clear that he wants to remain with the Pittsburgh Penguins after 20 seasons and two Stanley Cups.

Despite trade rumors about his potential interest in joining the Montreal Canadiens, Crosby told reporters on Monday that the Penguins are "where I want to be."

Crosby, who turned 38 in August, remained one of the most consistent producers in the NHL in his 20th campaign for the Penguins.

He recorded 33 goals and 58 goals for 91 points in 80 games to pass Wayne Gretzky as the first player in NHL history to record 20 straight point-per-goal seasons.

Despite his continued dominance, the former Penguins star last saw postseason action in 2022, and last made it to the second round of the playoffs in 2018.

"We want Sidney to hopefully be in the playoffs every year. We want him to hopefully win another Cup or two," Crosby's agent Pat Brisson told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Crosby likely would have a better chance of seeing postseason action with another team than in Pittsburgh, but it appears he wants to stay with the team.

Originally drafted by the Penguins with the top pick of the 2005 draft, Crosby helped shape the franchise after Mario Lemieux's retirement.

He was named the youngest captain in NHL history at age 19 ahead of the 2007-08 season, which ended with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

Crosby led the Penguins to redemption by claiming his first Cup after a rematch with the Detroit Red Wings in 2009.

Despite multiple injuries that threatened to derail his career, including concussion issues that sidelined him for most of the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, Crosby returned to once more become one of the most dominant centers in the NHL.

He went on to win consecutive Conn Smythe Trophies for his role in leading the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.

The Penguins have struggled to return to playoff contention since then despite Crosby contributing more than 30 goals in each of the last four seasons.

Crosby is the franchise's all-time leader with 1,352 points and 1,062 assists. His No. 87 will undoubtedly join Lemieux's No. 66, Michael Briere's No. 21 and Jaromir Jagr's No. 68 in the rafters at PPG Paints Arena after he closes out his playing career.