NHL Rumors: Insider 'bets the house' on blockbuster Sidney Crosby trade if Penguins miss playoff spot

The Pittsburgh Penguins started October with an 8-2-2 record, surprising many as possible contenders for playoff positions. But the wind has been knocked out of the sails and with eight straight losses, five of them in regulation, they are yet again looking like the team that has missed the playoffs for three straight years.

At the heart of it all, yet again, is the speculation surrounding Sidney Crosby's future. He partly settled it last September by signing a two-year, $17.4 million contract that will run till the end of the 2026-27 season.

But the Penguins' downward spiral reignited trade speculations. 'Sid the Kid' has been linked to several teams, with the Montreal Canadiens certainly one of the favorites, considering Crosby, like his father, grew up a Habs fan.

NHL insider Tony Marinaro on his Sick podcast's airing on Saturday quoted an anonymous source close to the Crosby family about his willingness to retire with the Habs. He believed that, despite his new contract, Crosby would be tempted for a trade if the Pens are out of the playoff spots come March.

"Where there's smoke, there's fire. I know a gentleman very close to Crosby and his people, and about a year and a half ago, he pulled me aside, and he said to me, 'Don't be surprised; Sidney Crosby finishes his career with the Montreal Canadiens...' "The only chance it becomes another possibility again, is once again if they don't make the playoffs. So if they're out of a playoff spot come trade deadline, and teams have got better and they're on a downward spiral, I bet the house that he's going to get traded. I bet the house."

NHL writer claims "no validity" to Sidney Crosby trade rumors despite fascination in Montreal

Sidney Crosby received a rousing ovation in Montreal when he stepped onto the ice on Saturday during his sole appearance of the season at the Bell Centre. The Canadiens won 4-0, but the Habs fanbase can only hope for a day when the 38-year-old can lead their wins.

That is what The Athletic's Josh Yohe observed in his column on Saturday while shrugging away the validity of any rumors.

"Crosby is always the center of attention, but that is escalated when he’s in Montreal," he wrote. "There’s no validity to the trade talk that has circulated around Crosby and the Canadiens in the past few months, but you couldn’t help but think about it when Crosby made his only appearance of the season in Montreal. And you can’t help but notice how beloved he is here."

The Penguins (14-11-9) sit four points outside the Eastern Conference playoff spots. The Canadiens (19-12-4) are 2nd in the Atlantic Division with 42 points.

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Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy