Crosby Taking One for the Team?

As mentioned previously, Crosby had commented that he may take a bit of a discount on his next contract to ensure the Penguins have enough cap room to have a strong team around him.

The Globe and Mail is reporting more about this ...

According to Thursday's Globe and Mail, Crosby will likely seek a long-term deal between five and eight seasons worth around $8-million a season. This would ensure that the Pens would have money to spend in order to surround Crosby with a solid group of players, including goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, is entering the final year on a contract that will pay him $1.6-million in 2007-08.

Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, confirmed yesterday that he has engaged in preliminary discussions for his client with Penguins general manager Ray Shero.

"Ray Shero and I have started to discuss a potential contract extension for Sidney," Brisson said. "We should continue to discuss this either later this week or at the beginning of next week."

Next season, Crosby will enter the final year of his entry-level contract, which will pay him a base salary of $2.55-million. He could earn an additional $1.15-million in performance bonuses.

I know that $8mil isn't exactly going to leave Sid in the poor house, but you'd have to think he could get more given how guys like Gomez can get over $7mil a year.

The fact is, Crosby can't do everything himself, and Stanley Cup winners, like the Ducks, have MANY strong players.