NHL Rumors: Insider Proposes Sidney Crosby To Canadiens Mock Trade

Thursday, May 15, 2025 ,
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby lines up for faceoff during 2025 game.

It’s the dream that refuses to die in Montreal: Sidney Crosby, childhood Canadiens fan and future Hall of Famer, finishing his career in bleu-blanc-rouge. 

While Crosby has made it clear he wants to retire as a Penguin, that hasn’t stopped fans — or insiders — from imagining the blockbuster deal it would take to bring him home.

Canadiens Have the Assets — But Do They Have the Chance?

Sportsnet’s Eric Engels tackled the hypothetical this week, calling a Crosby-to-Montreal trade “fantasy,” but still laying out what such a package might look like if the Penguins captain ever decided to move on. 

According to Engels, Montreal is better equipped than teams like the Colorado Avalanche or Los Angeles Kings to pull off a deal thanks to its cap space, draft capital, and depth of NHL-ready prospects.

Engels suggested a package headlined by both of the Canadiens’ 2025 first-round picks (16th and 17th overall), or a variation involving one of those picks, a top-10 protected first-rounder in 2026, a second-round pick, and two prospects — with the caveat that the Habs would not include elite names like Ivan Demidov, David Reinbacher, Jacob Fowler, or Michael Hage. 

Instead, names like Logan Mailloux and Oliver Kapanen could round out the deal.

A Steep Price, But a Fair One

Would such a package be enough for a 37-year-old Crosby? Engels argues it would be, especially when compared to recent deals like the one that saw Mikko Rantanen (10 years younger than Crosby) moved for two firsts, two thirds, and a top prospect. 

Crosby’s cap hit is $8.7 million for two more seasons — manageable for Montreal — and acquiring him would give the Habs an instant shot of credibility and leadership as their young core matures.

Still, the chances remain slim. As Engels reminded readers, “Crosby is a pipe dream.” But in a league where stars occasionally find new homes late in their careers, it’s a dream Canadiens fans won’t stop dreaming anytime soon.

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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