Sidney Crosby Focused on rebuilding Penguins’ Momentum
Pittsburgh Penguins captain sidney Crosby enters his 20th season with teammates Kris Letang adn Evgeni Malkin, forming one of the longest-tenured trios in North American professional sports. Despite a disappointing playoff miss last season, Crosby maintains his unwavering focus on winning, approaching the upcoming season with the same intensity regardless of past results.
“I approach the season in the same way as if we had played until June,” Crosby stated. “Whether you are successful or miss the series the previous year, it doesn’t change anything. I want to do my best,and every time I jump on the ice,I want to win.” He emphasized that his personal expectations remain constant, independent of team strategy or external perceptions.
the Penguins have undergone changes this offseason, with Mike Sullivan departing for the New York Rangers and Dan Muse taking the helm as head coach. The team has added players on short-term contracts and intends to give opportunities to younger players vying for roster spots. Veterans Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust could also be involved in potential trades, as Karlsson has two years remaining on his contract while Rakell and Rust have three.
Crosby acknowledges the challenge facing the team, whether it’s repeating success or rebounding from a missed playoff berth. “The challenge, when you win, is to repeat this the following year. When you do not participate in the series, the challenge is to come back in force to participate,” he explained. He recognizes that external expectations are outside of the team’s control, stating, “You just have to win.”
A key to Pittsburgh’s success, according to Crosby, will be consistency. “Last year, we experienced sequences of five or six victories in a row, then we lost five or six in a row. We must be more constant.” He also believes the influx of young players presents a valuable opportunity. “There will be great opportunities to argue for some young players. If they can have an impact from the start, it would be great.” He views the competition for positions as a positive force, creating a sense of urgency within the team.
Looking ahead, Crosby is also motivated by the potential return of NHL players to the Olympics, recalling his gold medal wins in Vancouver (2010) and Sochi (2014). “It’s been more than 10 years, but I remember that in these (olympic) years, there is always a little more motivation,” he admitted. “It always occupies the bottom of your thoughts, it’s always somthing that pushes you to give more.”
