The Pittsburgh Penguins are stepping into a new direction following Mike Sullivan’s departure to the New York Rangers ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season. After announcing Dan Muse as the 23rd head coach in franchise history, reports indicate Sidney Crosby has made his intentions about his future clear.
The Penguins are entering the 2025-26 NHL campaign with little hope after enduring years of regression and missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the last three seasons. Pittsburgh is not expected to magically turn into a contender overnight, and many believe Crosby could seek a trade to a championship-favorite in the league.
It’s been a repetitive theme in recent years. The 37-year-old captain is in the dawn of his NHL career, and could be interested in pursuing one last Stanley Cup before hanging the skates. However, Crosby’s love for the Steel City has impeded him from asking for a trade out of the organization.
That might have changed after Mike Sullivan and the organization parted ways, especially as the Penguins signed an inexperienced head coach in Muse, who will be at the helm of an NHL roster for the first time next season. It’s definitely not looking like Crosby and the Pens will be in the mix for Lord Stanley next spring.
While the buzz in Pittsburgh won’t simply fade away, insider Elliotte Friedman believes Crosby’s respect for the crest will ultimately outweigh his desire to chase another Stanley Cup.
“Dan Muse’s head coach hiring will lead to people in Crosby’s orbit asking him if he’s sure he still wants to stay in Pittsburgh, but I feel he’s loyal to the logo,” Friedman said in his latest 32 Thoughts Podcast episode.
Off to NYC
After arriving in New York to take over behind the Rangers’ bench, Mike Sullivan announced his coaching staff for the upcoming NHL season, which features two former Penguins assistant coaches.
Former Penguins assistant coaches David Quinn and Ty Hennes are joining Sullivan’s staff in the Big Apple. Quinn will be walking into a familiar building in Madison Square Garden, where he coached the Broadway Blueshirts during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 campaigns. Former Bruins interim coach Joe Sacco will complete the staff in Manhattan.
SURVEY Where would you like Crosby to finish his career?
Where would you like Crosby to finish his career?
already voted 125 fans
Following these departures, Muse now has his work cut out for him. He’ll have to find his next assistants to help him out in a pivotal season at the helm of the Penguins’ organization. At the same time, he must send out the right signals to Crosby and the aging roster, to avoid running into trouble down the road.