Among the many questions submitted for this mailbag, this initial one was undoubtedly the most compelling.
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Jon`s question is framed nicely. Since Sidney Crosby is a major topic of discussion in Montreal right now (“le sujet du jour”), it`s fitting to kick off this mailbag here, provided everyone understands we`re exploring a purely hypothetical scenario.
What follows is strictly my opinion, based on existing information and various assumptions, rather than any new insights.
As far as is widely known, Crosby has always wanted to play his entire career as a Pittsburgh Penguin, and there are currently no signs suggesting this desire has changed.
If that were to change, it`s probably only a tiny group of people who would truly know his feelings about moving to Montreal. There`s been considerable speculation that the player, who will soon be 38, would be very interested in such a chance. However, this speculation largely stems from common perceptions: he grew up supporting the Canadiens, his father Troy was once drafted by the team, the idea that the Canadiens` recent improvements and promising young core might appeal to him, and Crosby himself has frequently expressed his enjoyment of playing at the Bell Centre over his two decades in the league.
Even if all these factors hold significant weight for Crosby, they might still not be enough motivation for him to leave Pittsburgh and choose Montreal over other potential destinations.
Part of why I appreciated Jon`s question is that it began by considering those other places. Without factoring in the broader market, it would be impossible to determine what the Canadiens would need to give up to acquire him.
Predicting the exact cost is difficult anyway, as a major assumption needed for this speculative exercise is figuring out where else Crosby might consider playing.
