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An update on Sidney Crosby’s next contract and other offseason tidbits about @penguins in this story for @TheAthleticNHL https://t.co/g8LKEbAPlt
— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) April 24, 2024
Both parties expect a new deal with Crosby will be reached by or not long after that date, the sources said, with contract length and salary cap hit as the major elements still to be worked out.
The Penguins would prefer Crosby to sign a contract that would take him to his eventual retirement, but they are prepared for a short-term deal, team sources said.
Last month, The Athletic reported a deal within the vicinity of three years at an average annual value of $10 million could work for Crosby. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman wrote that he predicts two or three seasons at $10.5 million AAV.
The Penguins are optimistic Marcus Pettersson will sign a long-term contract this summer, a team source and a source close to Pettersson said.
Pettersson, 27, has a season remaining on his current contract. He counts $4,025,175, against the cap — a cost the Penguins project will increase by at least $1 million annually on a new deal, the team source said.
Team Sweden roll call 🇸🇪
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 25, 2024
Penguins defensemen Erik Karlsson and Marcus Pettersson will represent Team Sweden at the 2024 @IIHFHockey World Championship.
This year's World Championship will be held from May 10-26 in Prague and Ostrava, Czechia.
Guentzel did not leave the Penguins on the best of terms. He was particularly agitated by a perceived lack of forthright communication from Dubas, a source close to Guentzel said.
However, Guentzel would not deny Dubas an opportunity to pitch him on a potential return to Pittsburgh if Guentzel tests free agency in July. Guentzel’s fondness for the Penguins supersedes any ill feelings toward Dubas, said a team source and a source close to Guentzel.
Still, Guentzel reuniting with the Penguins was described by one source as “a long shot” because “he’s loving it in Carolina, and (the Hurricanes) feel the same.”
The Penguins are operating as though goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will have better offers in free agency than they can afford in an attempt to retain his services, a team source and a source close to Nedeljkovic said.
Dubas hinted last Friday the Penguins are comfortable going into next season with Tristan Jarry and Joel Blomqvist as their goaltending tandem.