Sidney Crosby makes it clear the Pittsburgh Penguins will not fold for draft picks or headlines

Sidney Crosby has been through it all, talk of decline, rebuilding, and even trade discussions. Yet, when he talked about the upcoming season for the Pittsburgh Penguins, his words broke through the speculation.

With the tenacity of a competitor who won’t quit, Crosby reminded everyone that his focus is still sharp. The message wasn’t about what’s behind or what’s ahead; it was about the fight that remains in him.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby rejects tanking talk

On September 15, 2025, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby spoke to the media in Sewickley Township, Pennsylvania, after his yearly routine of handing out season tickets to fans.During this press session, Crosby faced questions from reporters, including Josh Yohe from The Athletic, regarding whether the Penguins might deliberately underperform to get a better spot in the 2026 NHL Draft. He made it clear that his focus is on competing and winning, firmly dismissing the idea of tanking.Crosby directly responded to questions on tanking by stating, "It’s professional sports, you play to win. That’s how I view it and you’re not gonna convince me otherwise." He elaborated, "If you’re one of those people that believe that, then you’re entitled to believe in that, but that’s not why I signed up to play the game and that’s not the game that I know."https://x.com/JoshYohe_PGH/status/1967653832541999181These remarks were made to local media on the front lawn of a fan's home in Sewickley Township after the ticket delivery event.

Sidney Crosby responds to outside expectations with focus on competing every night

Crosby also addressed external expectations for the team, noting, "I would say the expectations from the outside are pretty low. But that doesn’t change my approach or our approach in terms of trying to go out there every night and win games. That’s how I look at it. We’ve had years where expectations were through the roof, and you have to manage them. When they are lower than you might expect, you have to find a way to manage that, too.

" This statement was made in reaction to the chatter about the Penguins' path, during the same media session in Sewickley Township.

Sidney Crosby says he wants to stay with the Pittsburgh Penguins

Even though the team is facing some challenges and key veterans are aging, Crosby is still dedicated to the competition. As he starts his 20th NHL season with two years left on his contract, he continues to shine at an elite level. In the previous season, Crosby achieved 91 points, which included 33 goals and 58 assists, while playing in 80 out of 82 regular-season games.This marks his third consecutive season with a minimum of 80 games played and at least 91 points, a feat he’s never achieved before. Crosby, picked first overall in the 2005 NHL Draft, has held onto this competitive spirit since he started in the league.https://x.com/TheAthleticNHL/status/1967681358291210587Crosby’s comments also highlighted wider narratives about his future, such as the trade rumors that were triggered by his agent, Pat Brisson, in an interview with The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun the week prior.Crosby expressed surprise at Brisson's remarks and affirmed his desire to stay in Pittsburgh, saying, "This is where I want to be. I love it here." He added frustration over repeated questions, noting, "I can’t keep having to answer the same questions over and over again.".Also Read: Orca Wiesblatt dies in traffic accident at 25 and Athens Rock Lobsters mourn their fearless starThe 2025-26 season for the Penguins is starting on October 7, 2025, with an away game versus the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.Crosby's unwavering stance shows his dedication to winning, even with the external pressures and shifts in the team.