Canadian hockey legend Sidney Crosby has a contract extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins ahead of the upcoming NHL season.
The club announced the two-year extension Monday, saying it carries an average yearly value of $8.7 million for the Cole Habour, N.S., native — matching his No. 87 jersey.
“There are no words to properly describe what Sidney Crosby means to the game of hockey, the city of Pittsburgh and the Penguins organization,” Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said in a statement.
The announcement comes as Crosby is set to enter the final season of a 12-year, US$104.4-million deal signed in June 2012 — which, of course — carries an annual salary of $8.7 million.
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Last week, the Penguins captain said he was “pretty optimistic” that an extension would be done ahead of the Oct. 9 season opener.
The 37-year-old made the playoffs for 16 straight seasons, but missed out on the last two springs as the team tries to retool with an aging core led by Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson.
Crosby — a three-time Stanley Cup winner and two-time Olympic gold medallist — scored 42-goals and had a total of 94 points in the last season. He was tied for 12th in the NHL’s scoring race and reached yet another milestone when he got his 1,000th career assist this spring.
Sid the Kid will start off next season just four points shy of 1,600 for his career.
“Sidney is the greatest player of his generation and one of the greatest players in the history of the game,” Dubas said.
“His actions today show why he is one of hockey’s greatest winners and leaders. Sid is making a tremendous personal sacrifice in an effort to help the Penguins win, both now and in the future, as he has done for his entire career.”
This marks the hockey superstar’s 20th season in the NHL, all with the Penguins. He has been team captain for 18 seasons.
— with files from The Canadian Press
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