Sidney Crosby isn’t coming to the Montreal Canadiens.
Pat Brisson, the longtime agent of the Pittsburgh Penguins stalwart, recently acknowledged that a trade could be on the table. Ironically, his client subsequently affirmed a desire to remain with the organization and voiced frustration over the persistent trade speculation—speculation that had, in large part, been stoked by Brisson himself.
Crosby has been a fixture in trade speculation since last year. Ultimately, the three-time Stanley Cup champion and Penguins captain remained with Pittsburgh through the trade deadline. Yet, during the offseason, his name resurfaced amid rumours of a potential move after a reporter erroneously suggested that Crosby was pursuing a trade to the Colorado Avalanche. The timing was particularly awkward: Crosby was attending Nathan MacKinnon’s bachelor party when the report circulated. Known for his typically restrained social media presence, MacKinnon broke character to respond directly to a fan, bluntly declaring: “Fake news.”
Following the recent controversy involving Pat Brisson, trade speculation surrounding Crosby has once again resurfaced. According to reports, should Crosby ever entertain a trade request, the Canadiens would be a viable destination he might consider. Yet the question persists: how many times must Crosby reiterate the same truth? His loyalty to the Penguins remains unwavering, irrespective of the team’s struggles.
Crosby’s devotion extends beyond mere franchise affiliation; it is rooted in personal reverence. Mario Lemieux, the man who drafted and mentored him, is Crosby’s enduring idol. Indeed, from 2005 to 2010, Crosby resided with Lemieux and his family in Sewickley, Pennsylvania—a formative period designed to ease the young phenom into the rigours of professional hockey. By the time he established his own household, Crosby had already secured a Stanley Cup. For Crosby, the Penguins are more than a team—they are a legacy he helped build under the guidance of the man he admires most.
Habs have a great future
Montreal fans would do well to forget about Crosby; a trade is highly improbable, and indulging in such speculation risks unnecessary disappointment. On a more constructive note, the Canadiens possess a rising talent who is beginning to command attention: Owen Beck.
The 21-year-old forward spent the bulk of last season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Laval Rocket, tallying 49 points—15 goals and 29 assists—across 64 regular-season contests. He also saw limited NHL action, appearing in 12 games for the Canadiens and registering a single assist. However, it is his recent performance in Montreal’s preseason clash—ironically against the Penguins—that has drawn attention. Beck delivered a clutch equalizer with 2:36 remaining in regulation, persistently battling to redirect a rebound into the net. His tenacity and situational awareness on that play underscore why scouts and fans alike are taking notice.
This is the narrative that merits focus, rather than the perennial Crosby trade speculation. While the prospect of Montreal acquiring a living legend is tantalizing, it’s the Twilight of the NHL, a romanticized fantasy.