NHL Notes: Penguins ink Sidney Crosby to a two-year, $8.7 million per season extension, JVR heads to the Blue Jackets
The Penguins signed captain and face of their franchise, Sidney Crosby, to a two-year contract on Monday. The deal is worth $8.7 million and will run through the 2026-2027 season. His new deal matches his jersey number, 87.
“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 press release. “Sidney is the greatest player of his generation and one of the greatest players in the history of the game. His actions today show why he is one of hockey’s best 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.”
Crosby had one year remaining on his 12-year, $104.4 million deal he signed back in 2012.
The 2025 first-overall draft pick and winner of three Stanley Cups will enter the 2024-25 campaign just four points shy of 1,600 in his career and 45 points away from tying Joe Sakic for ninth on the NHL’s all-time points list. The superstar center, who recently turned 37, had one of his most productive seasons in years last year, recording 94 points (42g, 52a) in 82 games.
Crosby is the Penguins franchise leader in games played (1,272), even-strength goals (416), even-strength points (1,025), and game-winning goals (90). Crosby has also won two Conn Smythe Trophies, two Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Memorial Trophies, three Ted Lindsay Awards, two Rocket Richard Trophies, and one Mark Messier Leadership Award.
Ex-Bruins forward James van Riemsdyk signs with Blue Jackets
Veteran winger James van Riemsdyk signed a one-year, $900,000 contract for the 2024-2025 season.
"James van Riemsdyk has been a very consistent, productive player through his career," Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said, per a team announcement. "Bringing him to Columbus will not only provide depth to our group up front but also valuable leadership and another veteran presence in our dressing room."
van Riemsdyk scored 11 goals and 27 assists across 71 games with the Bruins during the 2023-24 campaign and added one goal and four assists in 11 playoff games with Boston.
Before he wore a Bruins sweater, van Riemsdyk played eight seasons with the Flyers and six with the Maple Leagues. Over the course of 15 NHL seasons, he’s lit the lamp 311 times and has tailed 318 assists.
Red Wings sign Lucas Raymond to an eight-year contract worth $64.6 million deal on Monday. He will receive an average annual value of $8.075 million per season.
Raymond, 22, was the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft and has since blossomed into one of Detroit’s best players.
Last season, Raymond led the Red Wings with 71 points (31 goals, 41 assists). All of those numbers marked career bests. He appeared in all 82 games and also set career highs in blocked shots (27), hits (69), takeaways (48) and plus-minus (minus-12).
Defenseman hangs up his skates
Veteran defenseman Chris Wideman announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday after six seasons.
Wideman, 34, missed last season due to a back injury. He was an unrestricted free agent, playing last for the Montreal Canadiens in 2022–23, recording six assists and a career high 81 penalty minutes.
"After much thought, I have decided it is best for my health and my family to retire from playing hockey professionally," Wideman said in a statement posted by the Canadiens. "I made numerous attempts at rehabilitation, therapy, and many different treatments, but eventually it became apparent that returning to the game I love would not be possible."
He played 291 games with the Senators, Oilers, Panthers, and Canadiens. He was selected by Ottawa in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL draft.
"I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to live out my childhood dream of playing in the National Hockey League," Wideman said. "I'm not sure yet how I'll manage to stay close to the game that I love, but as I did with everything else in my career, I know I'll find a way."
