Penguins Remain Committed to Contending with Sidney Crosby
PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas reaffirmed the team’s intention to build a Stanley Cup contender around Sidney Crosby,dismissing speculation about a potential trade involving the star center during a press briefing Thursday.
dubas addressed questions regarding Crosby’s future, particularly persistent rumors linking him to the Montreal Canadiens.”We cannot modify our plans, that is to say counting on him to help us become aspirants to the Stanley Cup, because of what various media members can wish for the place where Sidney should play. We have to do everything appropriate for Pittsburgh’s Penguins,” he stated.
The Penguins have missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons,fueling trade discussions. However, Dubas also spoke out against “tanking”-intentionally losing games to improve draft position-suggesting the team will continue to compete. Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, recently noted that playoff exclusion often sparks speculation about his client’s future.
Dubas emphasized the importance of staying focused on the Penguins’ objectives despite external pressures. “He has the opportunity to issue the comments he wants. But we must keep the course on what is beneficial to the Penguins. When I signed, I knew that it was going to be part of the constraints related to the position. It does not change the tasks to be accomplished,” he said.
The GM also indicated that contract discussions with Evgeni Malkin, whose current deal expires after this season, will be prioritized during the February Olympic break, acknowledging the possibility of retirement for the veteran forward.
