The Pittsburgh Penguins remain in the spotlight during an offseason that pushes them into a rebuilding phase with Sidney Crosby as the central figure. After stumbling in the past season, when the franchise failed to reach the playoffs, a former Stanley Cup-winning teammate and current Tampa Bay Lightning forward spoke about the veteran captain.
Dan Muse replaces Mike Sullivan as head coach, marking the start of a new era after three years without playoffs for the Pens. While some things change, Crosby’s leadership continues to anchor a roster that blends young talent with experience.
Along those lines, Jake Guentzel, Crosby’s former teammate and close ally in Pittsburgh, offered an honest perspective on the captain’s impact on the franchise. The current Lightning player even dared to speak about how Sid handles stardom as a professional.
Guentzel’s perspective on Crosby
“It’s got to be tough for him,” Guentzel said of Crosby’s NHL celebrity status in an interview on The Sam and Crick Podcast. The statement reflects the close bond between the two players, with Guentzel describing the Penguins’ captain as an older brother.
Jake Guentzel #59 of the United States takes questions during media day ahead of the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off at the Bell Centre on February 11, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
“I mean, everyone wants to be all over him, it seems like. He keeps a pretty low-key profile in Pittsburgh. Whenever you come up to him, he’s so friendly. He’s such a nice guy; that’s the good thing about him. He’ll do everything for everyone,” Guentzel praised Crosby.
see also
NHL News: 2x Stanley Cup champ on Sidney Crosby’s Penguins reunites with Mike Sullivan on last chance deal with Rangers
Guentzel’s career
Guentzel was drafted by the Penguins in 2013 and quickly became a key piece after his debut in 2016, playing alongside Crosby. His contribution was crucial in helping Pittsburgh capture the 2017 Stanley Cup title. In March 2024, he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in a deal involving Ty Smith and a large package of assets, but later signed with the Lightning in June, where he currently stands out as an offensive leader.
