The hockey world is buzzing with the recent news of Sidney Crosby’s two-year extension with the Penguins. So let’s take a look at what this means for the Penguins, the NHL and Sidney himself.
Recent hockey news hasn’t just created a buzz in the hockey world, but also in the sporting industry as a whole. Penguin veteran Sidney Crosby has just signed a two-year contract extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins worth $17.4 million. Crosby who is one of the most decorated players in hockey history can continue to wear the iconic black and gold for even longer.
Who is Sidney Crosby?
For those of you who don’t know, or want to take a walk down memory lane and celebrate Crosby’s success, let’s take a dive into Crobsy’s history and successes. He was first drafted back in 2005 by the Pittsburgh Penguins after a successful career in his junior years. During his career, he has picked up some impressive achievements including three Stanley Cup championships, two Olympic gold medals and two Hart Trophies as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player. These achievements really say it all, however Crosby also has an incredible reputation and is known for his leadership skills and consistency in his quality of play. He’s also extremely loyal, only ever competing in the NHL as a Penguin. As a veteran player with so much experience, many players (especially the newbies) will look to him for guidance as the season goes on.
How this will affect the Penguins
This is great news for the Pittsburgh Penguins as Crosby is one of their best and most experienced player. With all the experience and knowledge he has picked up during his career, he is extremely valuable to the penguins. His presence not only elevates the team’s play but also instills confidence in younger players who can learn from his work ethic and professionalism. His extension sends a message to fans and other teams in the NHL that the Penguins are serious about winning and contending for another Stanley Cup this season.
While a $17.4 million extension seems extensive, this averages at around $8.7 million for each year. This is within the current salary cap framework and is extremely manageable for the Penguins. The team will still be able to allocate the resources they need including pursuing free agents and even making trades.
Impacts outside the team
With Crosby being a household name in the NHL, his extension can help to boost the Penguin’s brand as a whole. This can help appeal to fans, sponsors and even potential players. His status draws a lot of media attention which naturally would have an impact on ticket sales and merchandise revenue which can help the team even further financially. His extension may have an impact on the sports betting industry, with more spectators choosing to wager on the Penguins after his extension with a Stake.com promo code.
This also extends to impacting the NHL as a whole, building the brand even further. As he’s competed in other championships and competitions, he is now a player that is known worldwide. His extension in the NHL may even attract new fans from across the globe, helping to raise awareness for the league even more. His extension may also encourage fans to get involved in different ways, for example by getting involved with fantasy leagues.
However, it’s not just on the ice where Crosby has had an impact on the sport. In fact, throughout his professional career, he’s also played a huge role in mentoring younger players. This has had a huge impact on the team as a whole and has helped to bring the standard of play throughout the team. His impact is not just on the two years he has extended, this could have a knock-on effect for many years to come.
Challenges ahead
While this is exciting and positive news for the team, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any challenges ahead. The NHL is home to some of the best hockey players in the world, meaning each year the competition is fierce. The Penguins are going to have to bring their A-game if they want to be in with the chance of winning the Stanley Cup. One of the biggest challenges the team may face is the possibility of injury. In the past, Crosby has faced some serious injuries, especially during the lead-up to the later stages of his career. The team needs to be cautious of this and effectively manage his ice time. This will help to ensure he doesn’t overextend himself and cause further injury.
Another challenge that the Penguins are likely to face is the transitional phase of the start of the season and a new roster. Currently, the team have a mix of newer and more veteran players. When this happens, a team requires time to find their place in order to be successful. It’s all about finding a balance that can lead to a sustainable quality of play throughout the season and the ones that follow. With rising talent from the NHL draft and star veterans on other NHL teams, the competition is strong. In order to compete, the Penguins will have to keep an open mind and be ready to make any necessary changes to factors such as strategy and playing style in order to come out on top.
