Major disappointment with Penguins statement on Crosby milestone day

Today is Crosby's birthday, and with the hockey icon's superstitious nature many thought that a contract extension would be announced today. Crosby's jersey number and current salary of $8.7M both reflect his birthday, but now it doesn't seem like he'll be celebrating today with a new contract.

Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins in 2005, and has lived up to his expectation of one of the greatest players in NHL history over his 19 year career. Crosby has won three Stanley Cups with the Penguins and every other possible award in his 1200+ games in Pittsburgh, but now after missing the playoffs for two straight years, there's speculation brewing about his future with the team. Missing a major milestone like his birthday without an extension may be another sign he's got one foot out the door.

The Penguins haven't made any significant moves that inspire enough change to get them into the playoffs, either. With the rest of their core locked up and aging every year, signing a contract extension to play out his final years on a rebuilding team may not be what Crosby wants. Especially when he's still one of the league's most elite players, it's hard to see him out of the playoffs. The Colorado Avalanche with his hometown friend Nathan MacKinnon have been rumoured to be a potential landing spot for Crosby, along with his childhood team, Montreal Canadiens.

If Sidney Crosby gets to training camp without a contract in place and the Penguins once again slip out of a playoff spot early on, there's real potential to see a Crosby trade next season. It will be entirely up to him, and the entire NHL will be awaiting his decision.

Source: House of Hockey