Every offseason brings its share of speculation and wild trade rumors, but few names in hockey can ignite the imagination of fans quite like Sidney Crosby. As the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season comes to a disappointing close and playoff hopes fade, whispers about the future of their legendary captain are growing louder than ever.

In Montreal, those whispers have become a roar. The idea of Crosby donning the iconic red, white, and blue has long been a dream for Canadiens supporters, but now, with credible voices in the hockey world daring to float concrete trade scenarios, that fantasy feels closer to reality than ever before.

Recently, respected journalist Arpon Basu of The Athletic added fuel to the fire by proposing a blockbuster deal that would see Crosby head north to Montreal. The mere suggestion has sent shockwaves through both fanbases, sparking heated debates about value, legacy, and the true cost of acquiring a generational superstar—even one nearing his 38th birthday.

As the hockey world digests Basu’s bold proposal, one thing is certain: the prospect of Sidney Crosby in a Canadiens jersey is no longer just a pipe dream—it’s a storyline that could reshape the future of two storied franchises.

Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The name of Sidney Crosby continues to make Montreal Canadiens fans dream.

We know he misses the playoffs, we know the chances of the Pittsburgh Penguins making the playoffs are slim, so people are wondering if that could push him to leave.

Since the start of the offseason for the Canadiens, some serious journalists have dared to suggest concrete trade offers to bring Crosby to Montreal.

In the past few hours, it was Arpon Basu’s (The Athletic) turn to attempt the exercise.

A concrete trade offer proposed by Arpon Basu, to send Sidney Crosby to the Montreal Canadiens

Here is the proposed deal:

To the Montreal Canadiens:

Sidney Crosby

To the Pittsburgh Penguins:

Kaiden Guhle +

2025 1st-round pick (16th overall) +

2025 1st-round pick (17th overall)

Do you like his offer?

Basu said he would be ready to make this trade if he were in Kent Hughes’ and the Montreal Canadiens’ position.

However, his colleague Marc Antoine Godin believes this offer would be insufficient to pry Crosby out of Pittsburgh.

It’s so hard to judge, because Crosby is still so good and so incredible for a team’s culture, but he is also 37 years old (turning 38 at the beginning of next season).

At 37 years old, Sidney Crosby recorded 91 points in 80 games this season, including 33 goals, and has accumulated 1687 points (625 goals) in 1352 career games in the National Hockey League.

His contract, paying him $8.7 million per year, is valid until the summer of 2027.

After that, he will become an unrestricted free agent, free as a bird.