As a local to the Pittsburgh area and a die hard Pens fan, you would truly think that I have seen more than enough of the ever so popular Sidney Crosby within the past few years by attending almost every home game, seeing him on TV for the many endorsements he has, on the cover of magazines and following the continuous coverage on the Penguins. From his more than astounding first NHL career game, his ever so blooming career full of absolutely jaw dropping, on the knees goals scored, mind blowing skating skills, the youngest player in NHL history to register 100 points, named captian of the Penguins and currently was awarded the Hart, Lester B. Pearson and Art Ross trophies at the 2007 NHL awards. What else could Sidney Crosby do that can top the many accomplishments he has already set? How about a $43.5 million dollar contract extension? Well hey, that’s a pretty good start.Sidney Crosby has currently accepted a deal that’s worth an average of $8.7 million per season, below the maximum allowed by the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement with the caps individual salaries at 20% of the team’s payroll ceiling, $50.3 million for the coming season. Sidney could have gotten at least $10.06 million, but instead he agreed to settle with the first deal. GM Ray Shero stated, “Any financial projections I’d done had Sidney at the max, because you never know what was going to happen. Sidney is interested in winning the Stanley Cup. He’s interested in winning in Pittsburgh. This is a great first step, obviously.” Crosby stated that, “It was important to do what was right for everyone.
The deal pretty much translates to an annual salary-cap hit of $8.7 million and hey, those digits are in no way a coincidence. Not for someone who was born on 8/7/87 and who wears the number 87. Crosby’s new contract doesn’t take effect until the 2008-09 season with the Penguins and Shero agreed to a no-trade clause that kicks in in 2012. That’s the first year in which Crosby could have been eligible for unrestricted free agency, although that milestone has lost much of its significance now that he’s signed through 2012-13.
“We’re very happy with it, and we’re very happy that he’s with the Penguins for at least six more years,” Ray Shero said. “And hopefully, his entire career.” You could say that again. And with the current signings of Max Talbot, Darryl Sydor, Erik Christensen, Colby Armstrong, Petr Sykora and many others, you could also say that the Penguins future looks very bright. Seeing captain Crosby raise the Stanley Cup for the Penguins in the 07-08 season? Sounds like a plan.
