Sidney Crosby and William Nylander (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
A popular NHL analyst is pushing for the Toronto Maple Leafs to call the Pittsburgh Penguins and inquire about a trade for captain Sidney Crosby.

The Penguins are among the worst teams in hockey heading into American Thanksgiving weekend, with a 7-12-4 record. Sidney Crosby, 37, recently signed a two-year extension that has him under contract through 2026-27.

With the Penguins poised to miss the postseason for a third straight year, a rebuild feels inevitable in Steel City. And naturally, some fans and analysts can’t help but wonder if Crosby may seek a trade in order to compete for more championships at the tail-end of his career.

Speaking on the latest episode of TSN’s “OverDrive” program with Jamie McLennan and Jeff O’Neill, Brian Hayes called for Sidney Crosby to seek a trade. Hayes also called for the Leafs to pursue No. 87:

“The Leafs need someone up the middle to put them over the top. Who knows this organization better than Dubas in terms of what you want? Why Colorado? Because he’s buddies with MacKinnon…That’s the play (Crosby to Toronto). Every time I talk about I want Sid out, and I want Sid out, I’m going to put the Leafs on blast and say you have to go get him. If he’s available go get him…

“Sure, let’s talk. Sid has two more years left on his deal. How long is this window in Toronto? How big is the window? Sid has this year and two left, that’s a three-year contract with Sid up the middle of the ice.”

The Maple Leafs have been one of the NHL’s best regular-season teams since Auston Matthews’ 2016-17 rookie year. They’ve made the postseason in eight straight years, but only have a single playoff series victory to show for it.

Toronto has a star-studded group of forwards led by Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and Matt Knies. With Tavares and Marner in their contract years, Toronto could realistically add Sidney Crosby’s contract and bid farewell to one of the two (likely Tavares).

Through his first 23 games of 2024-25, Crosby has 21 points in 23 games. The Penguins return to the ice tonight to take on the Vancouver Canucks.

Sidney Crosby Should Definitely Leave The Penguins

The Pens can keep Crosby, Kis Letang and Evgeni Malkin around for the remainder of their careers if they want to do the right thing from a sentimental perspective. But the right call is to trade all three while they still have value, which would give Pittsburgh ample pieces to begin their rebuild.