"Every game it gets uglier in Pittsburgh": NHL analyst floats blockbuster Sidney Crosby-Maple Leafs trade idea

The unthinkable, trading Sidney Crosby, continues to get closer to a possibility for the Pittsburgh Penguins with each passing day as they struggle in 2024. With a record of 7-12-4, they sit just two points above the last place in the Eastern Conference standings. There have been rumors of a fire sale, and that could very well include Crosby, their greatest asset right now.

The idea of Crosby being traded by the one team he has played for over two decades is perhaps shocking, but it can no longer be ruled out.

"Tell me why this wouldn't happen," Hockey analyst Bryan Hayes said on TSN Overdrive. (27:00) "Outside of Sid being overly loyal, I know what people are going to say - Dubas won't do it, and he might not. But if he's so petty that he won't make a deal with the Leafs, I'd fire him immediately if I'm in Pittsburgh. You can't have that type of operation."

Hayes floated the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are off to a brilliant start this year, as an ideal trade partner for the Penguins, but added that ownership ultimately has the say. If they don't want it, that's one thing, but if it's GM Kyle Dubas who is turning it down, that's another.

"Let's face it, every game it gets uglier in Pittsburgh. It's embarrassing down there. This guy scored his 600th career goal and they lost 6-1 to the Hockey Club. It is that bad."

Hayes said they might be the worst team in the NHL and that it might be high time to kickstart an official, aggressive rebuild.

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Sidney Crosby reflects on career milestone

Despite another crushing loss on Sunday, Sidney Crosby enjoyed a moment of positivity on the ice. The Pittsburgh Penguins lost 6-1 to the Utah Hockey Club, but Crosby's lone goal on the evening was a major one.

Sidney Crosby hit 600 career goals (Credits: IMAGN)

It gave him 600 for his career, a mark not many players have reached.

"Yeah, I mean, it feels good. Obviously, we’re down in the game, feel like we got some energy off of that," Crosby said (via NHL.com) "The crowd was into it. It was a good feeling. Obviously, it would have been nice to build off it."

Crosby is second among active NHL players in goals scored, trailing only Alexander Ovechkin.