Would you sign Crosby to a 5 year 12.5M$ AAV contract this summer if he was UFA?

[bobholly39]

Let's pretend Sidney Crosby was a UFA this summer. He's in talks with your team (this can be Pitt too) - and is ready to sign, but his ask if 12.5M$ AAV for 5 years. Do you do it, or not?

On the one hand - he's still always at worst a top 5 player in any "top players in NHL" list you see popping up this year, and often even #2. Players still vote him as best player #1 for a playoff run. His ability is still amazing, even though he had an inconsistent season with injuries. More than just playing ability - he brings a ton of marketability potential, and a stellar reputation as leader, which can probably help out many teams. I can go on - but we all know how good a player he is, still today.

He'll be 33 at the start of next season however. So you get him for ages 33, 34, 35, 36 & 37. That's a lot of money for a player ageing. Injuries are also a concern. No he doesn't have any lingering injuries (that we know of) - but we all know he's had a lot of bad luck in his career. What are the odds he plays 5 mostly full season, or even that he plays till 37? He hasn't really shown decline in his game yet - but at age 33 it has to be coming soon., right?

I often say he's had one of the most consistently elite careers of all-time - probably top 3 with Howe and Bourque (maybe #99 too). So who knows - maybe he can keep up his level of play for a few more years.

So - vote. 12.5M$ for Crosby for 5 years. Do you sign him, or not?

Please explain what team you're voting for if your answer is based on a specific team, vs a general yes/no.

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[Porter Stoutheart]

I give it a contingent "yes".

For Nashville, we would have to find a way to move around $8M worth of salary out of the current lineup... Johansen or Duchene just for futures, for example, in order to make this work on the cap. But assuming we could do that (which of course is a big assumption) then yes, I'd take the chance on Crosby on this contract instead.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

On the Wings? f*** yes. But he'd probably be wasting his time here.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

My team doesn’t have the cap space. Otherwise, clear yes.

 

[tucker3434]

Not for the Avs. It’d probably result in having to get rid of a player like Makar or Rantanen. That doesn’t make sense when you already have MacKinnon in the roster.

But if it was someone like the flames, I’d do it. It addresses their one glaring flaw in a big way.

 

[bobholly39]

My team doesn’t have the cap space. Otherwise, clear yes.

This is probably obvious but - your team clearing up cap space to make this work is of course a possibility in this scenario, even if you don't have cap space today. Whether it means sacrificing a good player, or even paying to move a bad contract, etc.

 

[Mrb1p]

Not for the Avs. It’d probably result in having to get rid of a player like Makar or Rantanen. That doesn’t make sense when you already have MacKinnon in the roster.

But if it was someone like the flames, I’d do it. It addresses their one glaring flaw in a big way.

But then you'd win a cup, so, Id say its worth.

 

[ChiHawk21]

for the hawks hell yes. ship out saad maata and strome for futures.

Crosby Toews Dach down the middle
Kane Debrincat Kubalik top 6 wings

 

[tucker3434]

But then you'd win a cup, so, Id say its worth.

It’d be a one-shot deal. We’d have to win in 2021 before cap hell dismantled the roster. We’d definitely be the favorites in 2021 though.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Absolute yes for me.

 

[ACC1224]

100%, you'd be crazy not to.

 

[ShameOnYouZidlicky]

"We can and we will" - Kyle Dubas

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Crosby is 33. Think about his closest comparables in terms of talent and longevity over the last few decades:

Better than Crosby:
Gretzky, Lemieux

About as good as Crosby:
Messier, Jagr

Not quite as good as Crosby:
Yzerman, Sakic, Forsberg

Every one of those players still had a big impact on their teams through 37 - the age Crosby would be the end of a 5 year deal. The worst was Messier and he was still pretty damn good, character problems in Vancouver notwithstanding (and let's be honest, Crosby wouldn't bring character problems to any team). Yzerman's production dipped, but how much was his performance and leadership worth to the Wings? Sakic put up 100 points at age 37. Jagr was a force at 37. Gretzky and Lemieux were Gretzky and Lemieux.

What's Crosby's impact on a team worth? What's his experience, accountability, and work ethic worth because of the example it sets for the organization top-to-bottom?

Is Crosby worth 12.5 mil for the next 5 years? Easily.

 

[Mrb1p]

It’d be a one-shot deal. We’d have to win in 2021 before cap hell dismantled the roster. We’d definitely be the favorites in 2021 though.

Trade Kadri, trade Cole and trade one of your 3 milly forwards and boom, youre in.

Crosby is 33. Think about his closest comparables in terms of talent and longevity over the last few decades:

Better than Crosby:
Gretzky, Lemieux

About as good as Crosby:
Messier, Jagr

Not quite as good as Crosby:
Yzerman, Sakic, Forsberg

Every one of those players still had a big impact on their teams through 37 - the age Crosby would be the end of a 5 year deal. The worst was Messier and he was still pretty damn good, character problems in Vancouver notwithstanding (and let's be honest, Crosby wouldn't bring character problems to any team). Yzerman's production dipped, but how much was his performance and leadership worth to the Wings? Sakic put up 100 points at age 37. Jagr was a force at 37. Gretzky and Lemieux were Gretzky and Lemieux.

What's Crosby's impact on a team worth? What's his experience, accountability, and work ethic worth because of the example it sets for the organization top-to-bottom?

Is Crosby worth 12.5 mil for the next 5 years? Easily.

Messier about as good as crosby ?
Yzerman not quite as good as crosby ?

Thats weird.

 

[Devil Dancer]

As a Caps fan, no, barf, gross.

But as an actual hockey move for the Caps, maybe? They'd have to ship out Kuzy and some other salary, but that shouldn't be too hard. Crosby is obviously an upgrade on Kuznetsov, who seems to have plateaued.

That would be a really old team though.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Messier about as good as crosby ?
Yzerman not quite as good as crosby ?

Thats weird.

Crosby has a legit argument to being a top 5 player of all-time after Gretzky, Lemieux, Howe, and Orr.

Messier probably does too. Yzerman doesn't.

And I say this as a huge Yzerman fan. He was my favourite non-Jet growing up. Crosby's comparisons to Yzerman are why I liked his game to begin with.

 

[bobholly39]

As a Caps fan, no, barf, gross.

But as an actual hockey move for the Caps, maybe? They'd have to ship out Kuzy and some other salary, but that shouldn't be too hard. Crosby is obviously an upgrade on Kuznetsov, who seems to have plateaued.

That would be a really old team though.

I like that. Perfectly valid reason to vote no if you don't like the player

 

[bobholly39]

Crosby has a legit argument to being a top 5 player of all-time after Gretzky, Lemieux, Howe, and Orr.

Messier probably does too. Yzerman doesn't.

I think your comparison was fine within the context of this thread. Messier higher tier than Sakic and Yzerman - and I like the tiers and comparisons you did.

I'll just point out - Messier absolutely does not have a case for #5 player all-time. He's more in the ~15-25 range i'd say.

One thing also on Crosby vs all those names - even Gretzky and Lemieux - I think Crosby's been the most consistent performer through age 32 from all those names. Not saying he's been better than them - just more consistent year to year. So I think that makes the likelihood of a sharp decline in the short-term even more unlikely.

 

[LeafsNation75]

If your team has a chance to sign Sidney Crosby it's something you need to do.

 

[amnesiac]

if you hope to win in the next 4 years then yes

 

[Mickey Marner]

Sure, if Tavares waived his NMC. But he wouldn't.

 

[Big Empty]

100% yes.

 

[McJesusSaves97]

Sure, I guess he can play on Connor's wing

 

[Gurglesons]

Every team would be stupid not to. Simply from a cash revenue stand point.

Factor in your adding arguably the best forward in the game from a two way perspective and yeah.

 

[Gurglesons]

Sure, I guess he can play on Connor's wing

They'd probably move McDavid to wing just given his success their with Drai and the fact Crosby could play a "defensive role"