As the Toronto Maple Leafs begin a new era under head coach Craig Berube and the Pittsburgh Penguins near the end of the Sidney Crosby era, a potential mutual benefit could emerge for both franchises.
TSN’s OverDrive host Bryan Hayes suggests two bold moves during the summer of 2025, contingent on Crosby reaching free agency. On the show aired July 3, Hayes proposed:
“If Crosby plays his final year and hits free agency, the Toronto Maple Leafs could offer him a monumental opportunity,” Hayes said. “He’s one of the greatest Canadian captains, alongside legends like Gretzky, Messier, and Lemieux. Imagine him returning to Canada to end the Cup drought as a Maple Leaf. Tavares leaves, Sid comes in—it all aligns perfectly.”
Crosby, under contract with the Penguins for one more season, signed a 12-year, $104.4 million deal in 2013, expiring after the 2024-25 season. Tavares, another key player, is also in the final year of a seven-year, $77 million contract with the Maple Leafs.
If both players hit the market, Hayes believes the Leafs and Crosby could forge a beneficial late-career partnership. Toronto could utilize Crosby to fill the role vacated by Tavares after his contract expires in July 2025.
Is Sidney Crosby Leaving Pittsburgh?
While nothing is set in stone, whispers of a full-scale rebuild for the Penguins are growing. Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Crosby’s future:
“Significant questions linger without clear answers. Circumstantial evidence suggests a major rebuild for the Penguins within the next 12 months,” Kingerski wrote. “It’s July 3, and there’s no new contract for Sidney Crosby. Discussions are ongoing, but neither side has expressed optimism.”
On June 29, Crosby spoke to media about Team Canada for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off but revealed no progress on his contract extension with the Penguins.
“We’re talking,” Crosby said. “I’ll leave it at that.”
Entering the final year of his contract at age 37 with an $8.7 million cap hit, Crosby scored 94 points (42 goals, 52 assists) in 2024 but couldn’t lead the Penguins to the playoffs.
Will John Tavares Lose the Maple Leafs’ Captaincy?
While Mitch Marner has been in the spotlight, captain John Tavares has also made headlines. Tavares signed a massive deal in 2018 and was named captain in 2019. However, NHL insider Nick Kypreos suggested a potential change on Sportsnet’s Real Kyper & Bourne show:
“From what I’m hearing, the Leafs are considering taking the captaincy from Tavares and giving it to Auston (Matthews),” Kypreos said. “They will discuss it. It’s not certain, but it’s real.”
Tavares scored 29 goals and 36 assists in 2024, adding just 1 goal and 1 assist in seven playoff games. The Athletic’s James Mirtle echoed similar sentiments on The JD Bunkis Show on July 2:
“Matthews wants it and is the face of the franchise. It’s time to turn the page,” Mirtle said. “While I haven’t heard this from within the organization, it’s likely they’ll give Matthews the captaincy—either this fall or after Tavares’ contract ends.”
As the summer progresses, these potential shifts could shape the futures of both the Maple Leafs and the Penguins significantly.
