Sidney Crosby trade talks heating up, one team making serious calls

Now on the verge of trading Jake Guentzel, it's clear that the Penguins are going to enter a rebuild, which raises plenty of questions for franchise legend Sidney Crosby. According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos, the Colorado Avalanche was making calls on Crosby for a trade.

Crosby is far too loyal to the Penguins and far too professional to say anything outwardly, but it's looking more likely that the Penguins won't make the playoffs for several years now - Crosby might not want to end his career not playing on a competitive team when he's still clearly an elite player. Earlier today, reports surfaced that Crosby is very unhappy with the current direction of the team with Guentzel soon to be traded.

The Colorado Avalanche have long been rumoured to be one of the few teams Crosby would consider after Pittsburgh because of his hometown friend Nathan Mackinnon.

It's wild to begin to think it's possible, but if at any time Crosby himself does wish to play on a playoff team again, he might have to request the trade to Colorado. No doubt, the Penguins would honour Crosby's trade request to the team he wants, as he has a full no move clause.

Next season is the final year of his contract in his age 37 season and the Penguins are believed to have interest in re-sighing him, but that could all change with one phone call from Crosby. As Malkin and Letang also both reach the end of their contracts and careers, it looks like it's finally time to break up the band in Pittsburgh.