Analyst's bold predictions for 2025-26 include Sidney Crosby trade to Avalanche

For the first time ever, Sidney Crosby's future with the Pittsburgh Penguins is not so certain. 

The franchise is on the downswing, and general manager Kyle Dubas is tearing things down around the captain, which has left the hockey world long speculating about his departure. Despite that, Crosby had never even been willing to discuss the topic, committed to the city and franchise that drafted him first overall back in 2005. 

However, something has changed, because the superstar center was as open as ever when asked about his future at the recent NHL Player Media Tour. Combine that with his agent, Pat Brisson, mentioning that a move is a possibility, similarly to how Tom Brady finished his career elsewhere, and things feel different. 

With another season of the Penguins potentially near the bottom of the standings, will Crosby become fed up and leave Pittsburgh in pursuit of a Stanley Cup? Sara Civian of Bleacher Report believes it's possible, as she began her bold predictions for 2025-26 with Crosby heading to Colorado. 

"Would a list like this be complete without mention of Sidney Crosby to the Avalanche? Look, I've maintained for the past year-plus of this discourse that I believe Crosby will retire as a career-long Penguin. But it's not my fault his agent, Pat Brisson, told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun this week that a Crosby trade is a possibility," Civian said.

"This is a departure from the previous reassurance that Crosby wasn't going anywhere. Circumstances change, and athletes—especially an all-time great on and off the ice like Crosby—are allowed to change their minds. Perhaps this was Brisson's way of putting public pressure on GM Kyle Dubas to accelerate the retool. Regardless, it's something to read into, and a Crosby trade feels more possible than ever," Civian added.

The 38-year-old is about to begin the first season of the two-year, $17.4 million extension he signed with the Penguins in 2024, where he'll continue making his patented $8.7 million per season.

Colorado would be the best destination for Crosby

Let's preface by saying that Sidney Crosby asking for a trade out of Pittsburgh is no sure thing whatsoever. But if we do reach that point, the Colorado Avalanche are the best landing spot for numerous reasons.

If Crosby's frustration with not making the playoffs were to boil over, he'd obviously want to land on a true contender, which the Avalanche will be as long as Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are around. Add number 87 into the fold, and they might be the most dangerous team in the Western Conference. 

Then, of course, there's the Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, native's close relationship with the fellow Nova Scotian MacKinnon. The 30-year-old idolized Crosby before the two became great friends and summer workout partners in their hometown. 

While Montreal is a strong option, and other contenders could make a case for themselves, there wouldn't be a better fit for Sidney Crosby's wants and needs than the Colorado Avalanche.