Crosby Addresses Trade Rumors, Quinn Hughes Reacts To Brother’s

The Pittsburgh Penguins are rebuilding
their roster, even though management won’t admit it. Forwards Bryan
Rust and Rickard Rakell and defenseman Erik Karlsson have been
frequently mentioned as trade candidates throughout the off-season.

Even Sidney Crosby hasn’t been spared
the trade conjecture, though his name hasn’t popped up as often.

Nevertheless, there was sporadic chatter earlier this summer linking
the 38-year-old Penguins superstar to the Colorado Avalanche (where
his buddy Nathan MacKinnon plays) and his childhood team, the
Montreal Canadiens.

Crosby addressed that occasional trade
chatter during the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas on
Tuesday. He said he understood it because his clubs missed the
playoffs the past three years. The Penguins captain also indicated he
was flattered that he was drawing so much interest from a hockey-mad
market like Montreal.

Meanwhile, Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson,
didn’t rule out the possibility that his client could be traded
before his contract expires in 2027. However, he also suggested the
speculation could disappear if the Penguins improve and reach the
playoffs. Brisson ultimately believes it comes down to how Crosby is
going to be and how the team is going to do.

Colorado Hockey Now’s Aarif Deen cited
the speculation linking Crosby to the Avalanche and Canadiens. He
thinks the latter stands the better chance because of their status as
an up-and-coming club.

However, the odds remain slim of Crosby
coming to Montreal. The asking price could include a rising star like
Lane Hutson or a top prospect like Ivan Demidov, two players the
Canadiens won’t part with.

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Quinn Hughes’ future with the Vancouver
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