Hold on to your hats, because the notion of Sidney Crosby having a slow start to the season is about to be completely flipped on its head. Just when some were whispering about his trade value, Crosby silenced the doubters in the most spectacular fashion.
Early into the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season, skeptics might have pointed to Crosby’s initial performance as a sign of decline. After all, in the first three games, the Penguins’ captain tallied just one goal and two assists, none of which came at even strength. His plus-minus rating was a concerning -4, and his shot count was a modest four. For a player of Crosby’s caliber, this might have seemed like a stumble—or so the narrative went. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Was this truly a slow start, or were we all missing the bigger picture?
Fast forward to the Penguins’ recent three-game California road trip, and Crosby reminded everyone why he’s a legend. With two goals and five points in those games, including a signature deflection goal in a 3-0 shutout against the San Jose Sharks, Crosby didn’t just bounce back—he dominated. That deflection goal, in particular, was a masterpiece: Kris Letang sent the puck toward the net, and Crosby, tightly marked by Sharks defenseman Vincent Iorio, redirected it midair to break the scoreless tie in the second period. And this is the part most people miss: Crosby’s ability to make the extraordinary look routine is what sets him apart.
When asked about the play, Crosby’s humility shone through. “I didn’t know where he was going to put it,” he admitted. “I was just trying to get my stick on it. It was a good bounce that way.” But don’t be fooled by his modesty—Crosby’s precision and instincts are anything but accidental. His five-point road trip pushed him above the point-per-game threshold, with seven points in six games. If he maintains this pace, he’ll extend his unprecedented NHL record to 21 straight seasons averaging at least one point per game. Think about that for a moment: 21 seasons of consistent brilliance.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: trade speculation. While rumors can be entertaining, watching Crosby prove his worth on the ice is far more satisfying. At 38, he’s not just competing—he’s excelling. His current stats are a testament to his enduring skill: he’s just six points away from becoming the ninth player in NHL history to reach 1,700 points, and three points shy of tying Mario Lemieux for the most points in Penguins history. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Crosby’s age-defying performance a sign that trade talks are premature, or is it a final opportunity for the Penguins to capitalize on his value? We’ll let you decide.
First-year Penguins coach Dan Muse has been quick to praise Crosby’s work ethic and professionalism. “Everybody talks about his drive and how it’s every day,” Muse noted. “It’s been amazing to see, and it’s great for all the other players in the organization.” Interestingly, Muse has been distributing ice time more evenly, with Crosby averaging just 18:15 per game—well below his career average of 20:40. When asked about this, Crosby deferred to the team’s success: “Whatever’s going to help us win. That’s the most important thing.” But does less ice time truly limit Crosby’s impact, or does it simply highlight his efficiency?
As for the Penguins’ injury updates, forward Rutger McGroarty, who’s been sidelined with an upper-body injury, had an on-ice workout before practice, but Muse offered no new details. “Still status quo,” he said, adding that McGroarty, along with Kevin Hayes and Joel Blomqvist, are progressing but remain out of action.
So, the next time someone mentions Sidney Crosby’s supposed slow start, you’ll have the full story. Is Crosby’s age catching up to him, or is he simply rewriting the narrative of what’s possible in the NHL? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
