Crosby has confirmed that he does not plan to retire, removing one of the biggest questions surrounding his future. The next step now appears to be negotiating a new deal with Pittsburgh, which could become the final contract of his legendary career.

The Penguins entered the 2025-26 season looking like a team potentially headed toward a rebuilding phase, but their surprising campaign changed the conversation. With Crosby still performing at an elite level and Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson and Ville Koivunen also part of the picture, Pittsburgh could have enough pieces to remain competitive during the final years of their iconic core.

Will Sidney Crosby retire?

No. The expectation is that Sidney Crosby could sign a new contract with Pittsburgh Penguins before the middle of September. NHL insider Josh Yohe believes the timing could follow the same pattern as Crosby’s previous extension negotiations.

“The smart money would be on Crosby signing a new deal sometime between now and the middle of September. That’s how it went before; that’s the timeline Crosby is comfortable with, and a new contract seems inevitable.”

How many years could Sidney Crosby’s new contract be?

The biggest question may not be whether Sidney Crosby will sign, but how long the new deal will be. Yohe believes the most likely outcome is a short-term contract: “How many years will it be? Likely one or two.”

It would also allow the Penguins to continue evaluating their competitive window. The organization may have looked destined for a rebuild, but the 2025-26 season showed that Crosby and the veteran core can still compete at a high level.

Could the Penguins remain Stanley Cup contenders with Sidney Crosby?

The Penguins’ situation is one of the most fascinating stories in the NHL. They have been transitioning toward the future while still relying heavily on the players who defined the franchise’s golden era.

Crosby remains the centerpiece, while Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson could also have important roles as the Penguins attempt to maximize the final years of their veteran core. At the same time, Ville Koivunen represents the type of younger player who could become increasingly important as the Penguins eventually moves beyond their longtime stars.

A new Crosby contract would therefore be about more than keeping a franchise icon. It would signal that the Penguins still believe they have a chance to compete rather than simply preparing for the next era.

For Crosby, meanwhile, another deal in Pittsburgh would give him the opportunity to continue chasing another Stanley Cup with the only NHL organization he has ever known. The next few weeks could determine what becomes the final chapter of one of the greatest careers in Penguins history.

Koivunen signed an eight-year, $32 million contract, locking him into Pittsburgh through what could become a significant portion of his prime years. The Penguins clearly believe the young forward can develop into an important piece of their next era, but the decision has generated debate both among fans and within the Pens.

NHL insider Josh Yohe reported that the contract remains a heavily discussed topic in Pittsburgh, with some members of the organization reportedly questioning whether the Penguins should have made such a long-term commitment to a player who remains largely unproven at the NHL level.

Penguins reportedly not fully on board with Koivunen deal

According to NHL insider Josh Yohe, the size and length of Ville Koivunen’s contract are what make the decision particularly intriguing. The Penguins are committing $4 million annually for eight seasons to a player without a lot of experience in the league.

“The eight-year, $32 million deal for Koivunen remains a hotly discussed topic among fans, and they’re not alone. Not everyone in the organization was thrilled with Dubas’ decision to give the unproven Koivunen a long-term deal.”

That does not necessarily mean the Penguins view the contract as a mistake. Rather, it highlights the level of risk involved. Koivunen has shown potential, but the Pens are betting on what he can become rather than simply paying him for what he has already accomplished. For general manager Kyle Dubas, the potential reward apparently outweighs that uncertainty.

Why do the Penguins believe Ville Koivunen can become a key player?

The Penguins’ front office has been impressed by Koivunen’s offseason, particularly the work he has done to address one of the biggest weaknesses identified during his first NHL season: physical strength.

According to Yohe, Koivunen has made a major commitment in the gym this summer. That work is designed to help him stay on the puck and withstand the physical demands of an 82-game NHL season after opponents were able to knock him off the puck too easily.

Yohe also reported that analytics played a major role in Pittsburgh’s decision to give Koivunen the long-term contract. Team sources told him that the Penguins’ internal evaluation strongly supports the idea that the young forward has the underlying qualities necessary to become a valuable player.

“The front office is extremely impressed with the summer Koivunen has had. He’s hit the gym in a big way, addressing his biggest problem: lack of strength. He was knocked off the puck with ease during his first full NHL season. More than anything, analytics played a role in the Penguins’ decision to take a chance on Koivunen, according to team sources who spoke under the condition of anonymity to discuss private matters.”

That helps explain why Dubas was willing to take such a significant gamble. The Penguins are not simply betting on Koivunen’s current production; they are betting on his development, physical improvement and the data suggesting that his potential is worth the long-term investment.

The contract could ultimately become one of Dubas’ most important decisions as Pittsburgh transitions toward the future. If Koivunen takes a major step forward, the $4 million annual salary could look like a bargain. If his development stalls, however, the eight-year commitment could become a significant burden for the Penguins.

The Penguins are one of the teams that have explored trading for Pettersson, according to NHL Rumour Report. The Los Angeles Kings and Carolina Hurricanes were reportedly others.

While the Penguins could make an intriguing offer, it remains to be seen whether they could come up with a package that the Canucks would accept. Most importantly, though, Pettersson would have to give the green light. Unless that happens, any trade talk surrounding Vancouver’s center would become obsolete.

Complicated trade talks

According to Rick Dhaliwal’s report on Canucks Conversation, Vancouver tried to trade Pettersson during the 2026 NHL Draft, but to no avail. As Dhaliwal noted, “it’s a tough contract to move.”

Pettersson is under contract for the next six seasons, carrying an $11.6 million cap hit. The upcoming three seasons should raise eyebrows for potentially interested teams, as Pettersson will make $37.7 million over the next three years.

That includes an $11 million salary in 2026-27, $14.45 million in 2027-28, and $12.25 million in 2028-29. Throughout the final three years of his contract, his annual salary will drop to $8.7 million. Considering the league’s rising salary cap, that’s figure virtually every team can live with.

Moreover, Pettersson is signed to a full no-movement clause (NMC), meaning he has full control over his future. Unless he waives his clause, the Canucks can’t trade him, no matter how tempting of an offer lands on their table. And it appears Pettersson has no interest in moving out of Vancouver. Maybe only a Stanley Cup contender will make him change his mind. If that’s the case, the Penguins may be up for a steep climb.

Penguins aren’t contenders, at least at first glance

Rolling into the 2026-27 NHL season with the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin still going, the Penguins have reason to be excited after reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.

However, to call Pittsburgh a championship contender would be a stretch, at least at this point in the offseason. Perhaps the Pens prove everybody wrong come October. Right now, however, betting against them winning the Cup feels like a safer bet.

Crosby is Pittsburgh’s ace

Still, with Crosby in town, the Penguins may make for a compelling argument to lure a player like Pettersson. Both are centers, so the odds of them sharing the ice would be slim, but being teammates and sharing a locker room and off-ice activities is still an attractive thought.

Needless to say, if Pittsburgh hopes to land Pettersson, it will have to make an offer worth Vancouver’s while without giving up too much in return, so that Pettersson remains interested in joining the organization.

As long as Sid the Kid is in the Burgh, however, the franchise in the City of Bridges may be able to connect with any player in search of a new beginning. It remains to be seen whether Pettersson falls into that category, or, at the very least, whether he can be convinced.

While some fans questioned why the organization committed so many years to a player who has yet to establish himself as a full-time NHL contributor, the Penguins appear to have a very clear long-term strategy.

According to a new report, general manager Kyle Dubas views the contract as a calculated gamble rather than a risky overpay.

Why did the Penguins give Ville Koivunen an 8-year deal?

According to Josh Yohe, the Penguins believe the contract carries much more upside than downside. “I was told that Dubas sees the Koivunen deal as ‘low risk, high reward.’ Which is to say, the cap is rising to the point that he’s willing to risk losing $4 million annually for eight years if Koivunen is a bust.”

The key factor is the NHL’s rapidly increasing salary cap, which could make Koivunen’s $4 million annual cap hit look like a bargain if he develops into a top-six forward over the next several seasons.

A bet on the Penguins’ future

The Penguins are trying to balance two timelines. In the short term, Koivunen is expected to help support veterans such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Erik Karlsson as the franchise attempts to remain competitive.

Long term, however, Pittsburgh believes the 23-year-old can become one of the pillars of the organization’s next era. If Koivunen reaches his projected ceiling, Dubas could end up with one of the NHL’s best value contracts. If not, the Penguins believe the rising salary cap will make the financial risk manageable.

The most eye-catching aspect of the agreement is its length. Koivunen received an eight-year contract worth $4 million per season, a major commitment from Pittsburgh despite the 23-year-old having only recently made the jump to the NHL.

The deal signals just how highly the Penguins view Koivunen as they balance competing in the present while preparing for the future. By committing to Koivunen through a lengthy extension, GM Kyle Dubas has made it clear that the promising player can bridge both phases of the team’s future.

Ville Koivunen showed promise during the 2025-26 season

Ville Koivunen split the 2025-26 campaign between the NHL and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. At the NHL level, he recorded two goals and five assists for seven points in 39 games.

However, in the AHL, he emerged as one of the organization’s most productive young forwards, posting great numbers: 13 goals and 28 assists for 41 points in just 34 games. Ville led Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in assists, ranked second in total points, and finished with the team’s best points-per-game average.

From 2021 until 2024, Koivunen spent three seasons with Karpat in Finland’s top professional league. He was originally selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round (51st overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft before being acquired by Pittsburgh in the March 2024 trade.

A key piece for the Penguins’ present and future

General manager Kyle Dubas clearly sees Koivunen as much more than a young prospect. The Penguins expect him to help maximize the remaining championship window alongside veterans Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Erik Karlsson, while also becoming one of the cornerstones of the franchise once the Pens fully transition into a rebuilding era.

The Penguins officially signed Tommy Novak to a three-year contract extension, ensuring the veteran remains in Pittsburgh beyond the expiration of his current deal. The move comes as the front office continues building around veterans Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Karlsson while trying to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.

However, the timing of Novak’s extension has sparked debate among Penguins fans, many of whom hoped the organization would prioritize negotiations with Karlsson before committing additional salary elsewhere.

Who did the Penguins just sign?

The Penguins just signed Tommy Novak. His new contract will begin with the 2027-28 season and run through the 2029-30 campaign. The 29-year-old will earn an average annual value of $4.65 million after he was originally scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2026-27 season.

The extension rewards a productive campaign in which Novak recorded 16 goals, 26 assists, and 42 points in 82 games for Pittsburgh, establishing himself as an important part of the Penguins’ forward group.

Will the Penguins give Erik Karlsson a contract extension?

No. Despite Tommy Novak’s extension, much of the conversation around Pittsburgh continues to center on erik Karlsson. A recent report from Josh Yohe indicated that the Penguins are not expected to negotiate a new contract with the star defenseman before next offseason, raising the possibility that he could reach unrestricted free agency in 2027.

Considering Karlsson’s importance alongside Crosby and Malkin, many supporters hoped the organization would make his future a top priority. Instead, the Pens have opted for a more measured approach, strengthening their roster depth with moves such as Novak’s extension while leaving Karlsson’s long-term future unresolved.

Pittsburgh’s remarkable push revived hopes that the Pens could make one more Stanley Cup run with their veteran core. Karlsson, in particular, played one of the most important roles on the roster, stepping up when Crosby missed time through injury and Malkin dealt with suspensions during the season.

Despite exceeding expectations, however, the Penguins’ dream ended in heartbreaking fashion after a crushing playoff defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers. Now, with another important offseason underway, attention has shifted to Karlsson’s long-term future with the organization.

Penguins reportedly won’t extend Erik Karlsson

According to a report from Josh Yohe, the Pittsburgh Pittsburgh are not expected to negotiate a new contract with Erik Karlsson before his current deal expires. “I’d be surprised if they give Erik Karlsson a new deal after this season, despite his brilliance.”

Penguins face an important decision

Erik Karlsson remains one of the Penguins’ most valuable players, but his current contract expires after the 2026-27 NHL season. That leaves Pittsburgh facing a significant decision.

The franchise could keep Karlsson for one final playoff push before allowing him to become a free agent, or it could eventually explore trade possibilities rather than risk losing him without receiving anything in return.

For now, though, the latest report indicates the Penguins are comfortable entering the season without discussing an extension, even after Karlsson proved he can still perform at an elite level when the team needs him most.

The most lopsided game came on May 25, 1991, when the Pittsburgh Penguins crushed the Minnesota North Stars 8-0 in Game 6 to clinch their first championship. The eight-goal margin remains the largest victory.

Led by Mario Lemieux and backed by a flawless 39-save shutout from Tom Barrasso, they dominated from start to finish, scoring three times in the opening period and never allowing Minnesota a chance to recover.

How did the Pittsburgh Penguins dominate the 1991 Stanley Cup Final?

The Pittsburgh Penguins dominated the 1991 Stanley Cup Final by defeating the Minnesota North Stars 8-0 in Game 6, setting the record for the largest margin of victory in Stanley Cup Final history.

The blowout secured Pittsburgh’s first championship and capped one of the most impressive playoff runs of the early 1990s. Although the Penguins entered the Final as favorites, the series was not a complete mismatch.

Minnesota stole Game 1 and repeatedly challenged Pittsburgh throughout the matchup. However, the Penguins’ star power eventually proved overwhelming. Game 6 quickly became a showcase of Pittsburgh’s dominance.

The Pens scored three goals in the opening period and continued attacking relentlessly throughout the night. Mario Lemieux finished with a goal and four points, while Tom Barrasso stopped all 39 shots he faced to record a shutout.

The championship also announced the arrival of a new NHL powerhouse. Lemieux finished the postseason with 44 points in 23 games and captured the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Pittsburgh would return the following season and win a second consecutive Stanley Cup.

What are the largest winning margins in Stanley Cup Final games?

An eight-goal margin is the largest winning margin in Stanley Cup Final history, achieved by the Pittsburgh Penguins in their 8-0 victory over the Minnesota North Stars in 1991. More than 30 years later, no team has surpassed that mark.

Among the biggest blowouts ever recorded in Stanley Cup Final games are:

The Oilers joined this exclusive list in 2024 when they routed the Panthers 8-1 in Game 4 while facing elimination. Connor McDavid recorded four points and Edmonton became just the third team in NHL history to score at least eight goals.

Has any team ever won the Stanley Cup Final by more than eight goals?

No, no team has ever won a Stanley Cup Final game by more than eight goals. Pittsburgh’s 8-0 victory over Minnesota in 1991 remains the NHL record for the largest margin of victory in a Stanley Cup Final contest.

Several teams have come close by winning Final games by seven goals, including Colorado’s 8-1 victory over Florida in 1996, Boston’s 8-1 win against Vancouver in 2011, and Edmonton’s 8-1 triumph over Florida in 2024.

Yet none managed to exceed the eight-goal benchmark. The longevity of the record is particularly impressive considering the dramatic changes the NHL has experienced over the past three decades.

Which Stanley Cup Final featured the most goals in a single game?

The highest-scoring Stanley Cup Final game on record was Detroit’s 9-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 4 of the 1936 Stanley Cup Final, a contest that produced 13 combined goals. Nearly 90 years later, no Stanley Cup Final game has surpassed that total.

The game took place on April 7, 1936, and featured an offensive explosion rarely seen in a championship series. Detroit scored nine times against Toronto, establishing a record that still stands for the most goals scored by a team.

The Red Wings’ nine-goal outburst was later matched—but not exceeded—by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1942 and the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. Modern NHL fans may be more familiar with the Vegas Golden Knights’ 9-3 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.

Although Crosby is showing no signs of retiring anytime soon, he will turn 39 before the 2026-27 NHL season. At some point, he will hang up the skates. Considering Crosby is entering the final season of his contract in Pittsburgh, it leaves room for speculation.

Maybe he and Malkin will have their last dance next campaign. Still, that is all talk and—for fans in Pittsburgh—concern for the future. For the time being, the Pens can be joyful that Malkin is staying for one more year.

“Evgeni Malkin is returning to the Penguins for a 21st season. He’s signing a one-year extension,” Chris Johnston reported on his X account. “His extension is worth $5.5 million guaranteed.”

Malkin’s brand new contract

According to Johnston, Malkin’s new contract includes a full no-movement clause, as well as several bonuses that could spike his total earnings for the 2026-27 season. Per Puck Pedia, Malkin could add $500,000 in games-played bonuses: $250,000 for participating in 42 outings and an extra $250,000 if he plays in 63 games.

Moreover, Malkin would secure $1 million if the Penguins make the postseason, and an extra $500,000 for each round they advance. All things considered, if the Penguins win the Stanley Cup and he indeed plays in 63 regular season games, Malkin would make $9 million in 2026-27.

Last season, Malkin was under his four-year, $24.4 million deal ($6.1 million cap hit). Thus, the Penguins have retained him while saving roughly 10% in cap space. The difference will be paid in bonuses that don’t affect the team’s space.

Crosby’s contract situation

As part of his two-year, $17.4 million extension signed in September 2024, Crosby has one season left under contract in Pittsburgh. Starting on July 1, he is eligible to sign a new deal. Most signs would indicate that is something the Penguins would do in a heartbeat. However, it remains to be seen what Crosby envisions for his future.

Under Dan Muse, the team exceeded offseason expectations and reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, the Pens were bounced in the opening round by cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. Whether Crosby believes this past season was the start of something great or merely an oasis in the desert remains to be seen.

If his thinking leans toward the latter, then he may not want to sign a new contract with the team with which he has won three Stanley Cups and the only organization he has ever known in the NHL. Most likely, if next season is the end of the road, Crosby would request a trade ahead of the deadline so as not to walk into free agency and leave Pittsburgh with nothing in return for his departure.

Tomorrow’s problem

Still, once again, that is all talk for the future. As it stands, Sidney Crosby must be excited that the longest-tenured trio in league history—Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang—is staying together for another campaign.

Although none of the three is an actual Pittsburgher, they have lived in the City of Bridges for so long that they have learned a lesson: they will cross that bridge when they come to it.

In the meantime, Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and the Penguins will simply enjoy the trip and take in the views, which are as breathtaking now as they were when they first arrived in The Burgh.

“Just so appreciative for the opportunity to have played with them as long as we have. Hopefully, we can keep going,” Crosby said after the playoff elimination from the 2025-26 NHL campaign, via Pens Inside Scoop. “It’s kind of hard to put into words, honestly. We probably have just gotten used to. I think they’re like family. We’ve had some great wins, some tough losses like this.”

Crosby’s statement was a clear message to the organization and the higher ranks in the front office, including president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas. Still, the Penguins will take their time before coming to a final decision on Malkin, who will turn 40 before the 2026–27 NHL season. In fact, Malkin will be the same age as Dubas when the puck drops in October.

Crosby, Malkin, and Letang: ‘The Big Three’

Crosby, Malkin, and Kris Letang have played together for the past 20 seasons in the NHL. No other trio in North American sports history has been together for as long as the “Big Three” in Pittsburgh. Ask any of the three, and they hope to keep the streak going in the 2026–27 season.

However, at some point, the front office must decide what’s best for the organization. Malkin is set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in the summer, and although Dubas has admitted there’s interest in a reunion, anything can happen.

If it were up to Crosby, the decision would be made in a heartbeat, though he understands the business side of it and doesn’t take these past two decades for granted. Obviously, the trio has led Pittsburgh to three Stanley Cup conquests (2009, 2016, and 2017).

Where do the Penguins go next?

Entering this season, many expected it to be a sort of last dance for the “Big Three.” Making the postseason was a surprise, and the belief in the City of Bridges was that the trio could pull off one last improbable deep run. In the end, Crosby, Malkin, and Letang did their job but couldn’t overcome the lack of depth in Pittsburgh, and the young Flyers squad ultimately took them out in six games, in identical fashion to their first-round elimination by Philly in 2012.

Now, the dilemma is even harder for the Penguins. Should they call it a career for the “Big Three,” or have the three veterans proven to be part of the solution? Whichever route Dubas and company go down, only time will tell whether it was the right move or not.

For as much success as Crosby and company have had, the past few years have been anything but kind to fans in Pittsburgh. Moreover, extending Malkin may only be clawing at and holding on to the last thread of the glory days in the City of Bridges. It might have lost its grace and may be seen as more of a last-ditch effort than a tribute to the franchise’s active heroes..

Might be time to move on

Since hoisting back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, the Penguins have only won a single playoff series. That was back in 2018. Since the Washington Capitals knocked them out of the second round, en route to their Cup conquest, the Pens haven’t been the same.

Pittsburgh has been bounced in the opening round five times since (including once in the qualifying round in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs in the bubble). Moreover, they missed the postseason entirely three years in a row (2023, 2024, and 2025).

Pittsburgh’s 2025–26 NHL season was an anomaly. Against all odds, the Pens made the playoffs in Dan Muse’s first year as head coach. However, at the end of the day, it was only an oasis in the desert. It takes no master in biology to know a penguin won’t last long in the desert, and thus time is running out for Pittsburgh to figure out what’s wrong.

It starts with Malkin

Nailing the Malkin decision in the offseason is only the first step, yet it could well make or break Dubas’ plans for the summer. Crosby has sent his two cents out there for the organization to listen to, and it will. However, Crosby is only signed through one more season, and sooner or later, the Penguins will have to brace for a team that no longer features “Sid the Kid.”

“That’s something that happens sometimes. You try to go in front of the net. Sometimes [those shots] hit you, sometimes they go by and they don’t hit you. I feel good,” Crosby admitted after Game 5, via Pens Inside Scoop on X.

Crosby was also hit with an ill-intended cross-check by Travis Konecny after the buzzer sounded in Game 5. Despite falling to the ice and being slow to get up, Crosby made no mention of the incident, so all signs indicate he’s good to go for the next matchup against the Flyers.

Crosby is healthy for Penguins

Hearing Crosby is fully healthy is just what fans in Pittsburgh wanted to hear. The Penguins have battled back from down 3-0 in the series against the Philadelphia Flyers to force a Game 6 back in the City of Brotherly Love. Only one more win separates the Pens from forcing a win-or-go-home Game 7 back at PPG PAINTS Arena.

Pittsburgh may be operating with an advantage, as its last two outings in the Stanley Cup Playoffs have already been elimination games. Playing with their backs against the wall, Crosby and company finally showed their teeth, and the Flyers are sensing the pressure.

2012 flashback gives Flyers hope

Though the Flyers’ lineup looks nothing like it did back in the 2011–12 NHL campaign, there are many similarities between the two first-round matchups against the Penguins that year and this time around. Both times, Philly jumped to a 3-0 lead before Pittsburgh clawed its way back to force a Game 6 in South Philadelphia. The Flyers would go on to win that game and eliminate the Pens.

Over a decade has passed since, but the squad in the Birthplace of America is hanging on to the hope that history will repeat itself. It serves as consolation; if not, the panic meter would be at an all-time high. Perhaps it already is.

Flyers sense the pressure, Penguins feed off of it

The Flyers are young and lack playoff experience. Watching how Crosby and company refuse to go out puts an incredible amount of pressure on them. The Penguins are using that to their advantage.

Moreover, the fact Philadelphia is punishing its best players and pointing blaming fingers around the locker room may be the perfect sign for the Pens. Penguins may not be the apex predator, but even they can smell blood and decide to go in for the kill.

Series schedule

The Penguins will travel to the Cradle of Liberty for Game 6 on April 29. If they manage to come away with their third straight triumph in the series, the Pens will keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive in the 2025–26 NHL season and force a decisive Game 7 back home in the City of Bridges. The win-or-go-home showdown is scheduled for May 2.