NHL analyst Bryan Hayes suggests to ‘get Sidney Crosby out of Pittsburgh’ and follow NFL star Tom Brady’s footsteps

Sidney Crosby’s future with Pittsburgh becomes one of the most argued topics of this winter. Will ‘The Chosen One’ sign with another team in 2024 or continue his legacy with the Penguins?

NHL analyst Bryan Hayes suggests to ‘get Sidney Crosby out of Pittsburgh’ and follow NFL star Tom Brady’s footsteps

Sidney Crosby and Tom Brady [Image Credit: Imago/SI]

Pittsburgh Penguins backbone Sidney Crosby, becomes one of the most debated players this winter. His future with the team becomes part of the Most Valuable Player discussions as pundits, experts, and fans suggest ‘The Chosen One’ to sign a contract extension with a different team for the rest of his professional years.

The Penguins’ performance in the 2023-24 season was one of the reasons for spinning controversies on his contract date. Considering Crosby turning 37 this summer, NHL analyst Bryan Hayes suggested he follow NFL star Tom Brady’s footsteps instead of sticking with the club that drafted him. 

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Crosby’s contract extension with the Pens will play a major role for both him and the team, regardless of his decision. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with the ongoing situation. However, he wants to have a final run with the team for Stanley Cup contention, bring the Cup back for the 4th time, and end his career alongside long-time teammates Kris Letang, and Evgeni Malkin.

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Will it be possible though? Looking at 2023-24 Pittsburgh Penguins statistics and how the team lost 5-2 against the Arizona Coyotes earlier in the week, there have been lots of controversies among hockey analysts and pundits. As per reports, with their score this season they have a thin chance of getting into playoffs.

TNT host Bryan Hayes pleaded to “Get Sidney Crosby out of Pittsburgh” in the latest on-air interview. Hayes commented how Crosby should not re-sign with the Pens, and sign with a different team after the contract ends in the 2024-25 season. He has carried the team so far this season, and even at 36, he’s been breaking records one after another. As Hayes stated,

He’s given everything he possibly could to that franchise. That franchise is no longer repaying him.
Bryan Hayes on X.

Bryan Hayes compares Tom Brady’s NFL career to Sidney Crosby’s legacy in NHL

Bryan Hayes stated that even if Crosby chooses to spend the rest of his professional years with another team, he’ll forever be a Penguin. He and Mario Lemieux are the two who are considered the greatest Penguins of all time. Since his draft in 2005, ‘The Chosen One’ has guided the team to three Stanley Cup victories, and to the Stanley Cup race several times.

Sidney Crosby and Tom Brady [Image Credit: Imago/US Weekly]
Sidney Crosby and Tom Brady [Image Credit: Imago/US Weekly]

Crosby has a full no-move clause in the agreement. As per reports he has no intention of waving it anytime soon. Hayes compared Tom Brady’s career with Crosby as he stated,

If he follows in the footsteps of Brady, goes somewhere else, wins a Cup, is competitive…that is going to make the case for him to get into the top five all time.
Bryan Hayes on X.

Brady won six Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots from 2000 to the 2019 season. Later signed up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 and led the team to Super Bowl LV victory, finally retiring in early 2023. Hayes believes Crosby should also follow his example and choose a different team for his final race; a team competitive enough to make the playoffs.

As long as the Pens have Crosby on the rooster they are still a threat. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is also in a pickle on what to do with Crosby and Jake Guentzel nearing their contract period.

The team’s mistakes have cost them a lot of missed chances for the 2024 Stanley Cup race. In the latest game, Evgeni Malkin made an own-goal shot on Kris Letang’s pass by mistake which ultimately resulted in the team’s loss against Coyotes.

Given the results the team is producing, it is now up to the captain to decide whether he wants to remain in Pittsburgh or switch teams. Just like him, one of his old buddies and ex-teammate, Marc-Andre Fleury, 39, is in talks about retirement. Maybe the era is ending with top players like them nearing career end, but it’s up to the players to decide their last ice game.

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