The trade sending Mikko Rantanen to Carolina and Martin Necas to Colorado (and Taylor Hall to Carolina) already opens the door to another monster trade.
It’s the thunderclap of the decade in the NHL!
The move has hinted at an opportunity that could shake up the league, and according to Paul Bissonnette of the Spittin Chiclets podcast, Colorado is now willing to do anything to bring in Sidney Crosby.
With the departure of Rantanen, the Avalanche frees up salary space and positions itself to pick up Nathan MacKinnon’s mentor and friend, Sidney Crosby.
Bissonnette says Colorado would be “very, very well positioned” to pull off this masterful move. The dream of bringing the two Nova Scotians together on the same line could give a new dimension to the Avalanche attack and revive the ambitions of conquering the Stanley Cup.
For years, MacKinnon and Crosby have enjoyed a special relationship, training together every summer.
This natural chemistry, combined with the presence of talents like Cale Makar, would make Colorado a perfect destination for Crosby, giving him a final chance to hoist the Stanley Cup.
On the Pittsburgh side, the situation is chaotic. The Penguins, who seemed to have clear direction under the management of Kyle Dubas, are now in the middle of a crisis.
The defeats pile up. The pressure is immense on coach Mike Sullivan, whose future seems uncertain.
Dubas gambled on an aging core by refusing to rebuild and clinging to stalwarts like Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.
But today, the team seems exhausted and unable to compete with the best teams in the league. Critics are pouring in, and the patience of the supporters is crumbling.
Rumors of a Sidney Crosby trade continue to gain momentum. For many observers, the time has come for the Penguins to turn the page and begin a thorough rebuild.
Paul Bissonnette is convinced that the Avalanche now have the means and the motivation to make a historic trade happen.
If Crosby joins Colorado, it would mark the end of an era in Pittsburgh. A team that dominated the NHL for nearly two decades, winning three Stanley Cups under their legendary captain.
However, the decision to turn the page would be painful, but necessary to prepare for the future.
For Colorado, adding Crosby would be the finishing touch to an already formidable roster. With a defensive brigade led by Makar and a still-dominant MacKinnon, the Avalanche would instantly become favorites for the Stanley Cup.
Additionally, Crosby would bring his experience, leadership and unmatched talent to the table in crucial moments.
The perfect scenario for Crosby? Playing a few more seasons at a high level in a competitive environment, while meeting up with an old friend and aiming for one last triumph.
Despite widespread enthusiasm, several obstacles remain. First, Crosby’s contract represents a financial challenge, and the Avalanche will have to get creative to fit his salary under the salary cap, even after saving money in the Rantanen trade.
Then, the emotional question is big: will Pittsburgh really agree to let its emblematic player leave without intense resistance?
After all, Dubas swears Crosby is untouchable.
Finally, other teams could also try their luck to attract Crosby, notably the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings, who have significant financial resources and undeniable attractiveness.
If this MONSTER transaction were to materialize, it would go down in history as one of the biggest of the decade.
For Colorado, this would be an ambitious and exciting bet. For Pittsburgh, it would signal the start of a new era.
The NHL is in turmoil, and Sidney Crosby’s fate may be about to change forever.
The Colorado media is convinced the Avalanche wouldn’t have traded Mikko Rantanen if he wasn’t already on another deal.
Then the Penguins GM, Kyle Dubas, can promise everyone that Crosby will not be traded, but everyone knows that Crosby would agree tomorrow morning to go to Colorado to join Nathan MacKinnon and then have the chance to win the Cup Stanley.
Paul Bissonnette is very, very connected, he’s a player, he’s very close to the players, he doesn’t talk for nothing, and that was his first reaction after the monster transaction of Rantanen in Carolina and Necas in Colorado and Hall in Chicago.
His first reaction to Bissonnette came right out as “it’s going to happen, Crosby is going to Colorado.”
Rumors surrounding a potential Sidney Crosby trade continue to intensify as pressure mounts in Pittsburgh.
-With the Avalanche being able to make room on their payroll and the close relationship between MacKinnon and Crosby, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Crosby wouldn’t be tempted by a move to Colorado.
Crosby’s legacy in Pittsburgh is undeniable, but the realities of the NHL sometimes force tough decisions.
If Dubas continues to ignore the warning signs, pressure from fans and management could force his hand to consider a radical rebuild, with Crosby as the main bargaining chip.
For now, it all hinges on Colorado’s ability to convince the Penguins that the future lies in a rebuild and that Crosby needs one last chance to shine on the big stage.
Everything is possible.
An incredible friendship
When Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon meet on the ice, their friendship takes a back seat. These two natives of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, share more than just a place of birth: they are united by fierce competition and mutual respect that pushes them to give their best.
Imagine if they ended up on the same team.
During the off-season, both players return to their hometowns to train together, but never on the same side. Crosby in black, MacKinnon in blue, each determined to outdo the other.
"That’s how it works," Crosby explains with a knowing smile.
This friendly rivalry is what drives them to excel, with Crosby admitting that MacKinnon’s talent and speed require him to stay at the top of his game.
Their relationship began long before MacKinnon became one of the NHL’s biggest stars. From a young age, MacKinnon idolized Crosby, even though Crosby had already heard of this young prodigy from Cole Harbour.
Mutual admiration turned into great friendship when MacKinnon began training with the same specialist, Andy O’Brien.
“I met him through Andy and we started training together,” Crosby remembers.
Today, banners honoring both players adorn Cole Harbor Place, the local rink where these two exceptional talents emerged.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan is impressed by this rare coincidence:
“It’s unique. Finding another city that has produced two players of this caliber is difficult. They are generational talents, each having left their mark on their team respectively.”
There’s no doubting Crosby’s impact on MacKinnon. As a senior, Crosby served as a mentor to MacKinnon, helping elevate his game and inspiring his professional approach to hockey.
But the relationship isn’t one-sided: MacKinnon also pushes Crosby to maintain a consistent level of excellence.
The two players will soon have the opportunity to put aside their rivalry to join forces under the colors of Team Canada during the 4 Nations tournament.
Along with another Halifax compatriot, Brad Marchand, they will form a formidable combination. “I would love to be on his wing,” MacKinnon said enthusiastically.
“I think we would play well together.”
The last time they shared the same team was at the World Hockey Championship in Prague in 2015, a tournament where they got a taste of their formidable compatibility on the ice.
The competition between Crosby and MacKinnon is not just about rivalry, but also about mutual respect and a desire to get better every day.
Sullivan, knowing both men’s personalities well, isn’t surprised by their constant competition, even outside of the NHL:
“They both have this insatiable thirst to excel.”
With their love of the game, their discipline and their relentless desire to improve, Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon are more than just friends: they are living proof that competition can breed the greatest friendships.
The next step is for them to win the Stanley Cup together, in Colorado.
The door opens.
