Sidney Crosby’s future with the Pittsburgh Penguins is suddenly uncertain as Kyle Dubas reshapes the franchise around a declining window. Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, signaled a possible move, a departure from prior certainty about Crosby finishing in Pittsburgh. Bleacher Report’s Sara Civian even floated Colorado as a bold landing spot for 2025-26. Crosby, 38, is in the first season of a two-year, $17.4 million extension, a timing nuance that could complicate any potential exit.

Colorado would give Crosby a legitimate chance at another Cup with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar leading a high-end core, aided by Crosby’s Nova Scotia ties and long-standing admiration for MacKinnon. While Montreal and other contenders surface, the Avalanche offer the most complete fit if Crosby seeks a final championship chase, making this a high-stakes narrative to watch in the coming months.

Corey Perry will miss six to eight weeks after knee surgery, a setback for the Los Angeles Kings as training camp opens and the season against Colorado looms. The 40-year-old winger signed this summer for a 21st NHL season, after a career that included 14 seasons with Anaheim, a 2007 Cup, and five Final appearances. He sits 121st on the all-time scoring list heading into 2025-26, having posted 19 goals and 11 assists for Edmonton last season and 10 goals with four assists in the playoffs. The injury opens opportunites for younger Kings to grab minutes and for the special teams to adjust without Perry early on.

The absence tests the team’s depth and could accelerate line tinkering and increased roles for other veterans as the club navigates the opening stretch until Perry’s return, with Kopitar and the top combinations tasked with steadying the offense while the winger rehabs.