Talks between Sidney Crosby and Kyle Dubas take an unexpected turn

The Penguins and their captain are reportedly much closer to reaching an agreement on a new contract for the 36-year-old than previously indicated.

Entering the final season of his 12-year contract he signed in 2012, Sidney Crosby has always maintained that he wanted to end his career as a Penguin. However, when July 1st came and went without the Penguins announcing an extension for him, questions began to surface about whether he wanted to spend his final years on a declining club, or have the chance chase his fourth Stanley Cup elsewhere with a contending team.

According to Rob Rossi of The Athletic, as quiet as talks were to begin free agency, those discussions have picked up and the two sides are nearing a new deal that will see Crosby spend his entire career with the Penguins.

The reason for a delay in an extension, according to Rossi and his sources, was due to Crosby wanting to allow Penguins GM Kyle Dubas to address other off-season matters. Crosby's next deal is expected to be a three-year term with an AAV of around $10M per season, but you can bet that the superstitious Crosby will find a way to work 87 into the number given that he has carried an $8.7M cap hit throughout his entire career aside from his entry-level deal.

Crosby continued to defy age last season, scoring 42 goals and 94 points, tying him with Wayne Gretzky for most consecutive point-per-game seasons in the NHL with 19. A first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, Rossi also noted that Fenway Sports Group, the owners of the Penguins, are hopeful to have Crosby around the organization in a front-office role when he finally decides to retire.

Source: The Athletic:
Crosby nearing new contract with Penguins