Crosby signed a two-year extension last September. He has repeatedly said he plans to only play for the Penguins. He has a full no-trade clause. Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Penguins, wants him to be part of the organization for the rest of his life.

While Sidney Crosby agreed to a two-year contract extension in September that included a full no-trade clause and could keep him with the Pittsburgh Penguins through at least the 2026-27 NHL season, the struggles the Penguins have endured from October through Monday's 2-1 loss to the lowly San Jose Sharks (15-32-6) resulted in Crosby being the subject of trade rumors for the second consecutive winter.

"I'm trying to do everything I possibly can for us," Crosby added on Tuesday. "Be at my best, to give us a chance to win every night, to be a good teammate. We all want to get through a difficult point right now. That's my mindset. All my energy is here and trying to do everything I can here."

Every time trade talks involve the Colorado Avalanche, Crosby’s name arises. His friendship with fellow Nova Scotian Nathan MacKinnon has made some people believe a Crosby trade to Colorado is a foregone conclusion. Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney have made quite the post-playing careers for themselves. When they speak, the hockey world hears it.

The Avalanche sent Rantanen, a pending unrestricted free agent, to the Carolina Hurricanes, receiving Martin Necas, Jack Drury and two draft picks in return. With the Chicago Blackhawks taking on 50% of Rantanen’s cap hit in the deal, Colorado has $5.6 million in cap space, fueling speculation about an upcoming major addition.

Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin says his struggling team needs to start playing harder if it wants to return to the playoffs.

Following Friday night’s blockbuster trade that sent star forward Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins beat writer Josh Yohe felt the need to debunk the recent trade rumors swirling around captain Sidney Crosby.