The 2026-27 NHL campaign will not be Sidney Crosby's last.
In April, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain said after the team's season-ending loss to the Philadelphia Flyers that he would take a year-by-year approach for the rest of his career. He was asked Wednesday if that meant he would consider retirement after next season.
"Not at all," Crosby told The Athletic's Josh Yohe.
Crosby clarified that his year-by-year comment was more about his contractual status. He's entering the final season of his two-year deal and is eligible for an extension July 1.
"I said year to year because of where the team is at," Crosby said. "It just makes sense, whether it's our cap, who we have coming in and out, just to have that flexibility. It's important."
Crosby added: "I'm saying year to year based on contracts. It just seems to make sense. I mean, it could change. We'll see. (Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas) and I haven't even talked about it. But I'll talk with (agent Pat Brisson) and Kyle later this summer. We'll talk about it and do what makes sense. If it does make sense to sign for a couple of years, then we'll do that."
Crosby, who turns 39 in August, has remained incredibly productive in the later stages for his career. He tallied 74 points in 68 games this past season, extending his NHL record of point-per-game campaigns to 21.
The three-time Stanley Cup champion ranks seventh on the NHL's all-time points list with 1,761. He'll likely move into the top five with a clean bill of health next season; he's just 11 points away from passing Marcel Dionne for sixth and 38 from passing Ron Francis for fifth.
If Crosby plays multiple more seasons, second place on the all-time scoring list is well within reach. He's 161 points away from passing Jaromir Jagr, who trails only Wayne Gretzky (2,857 points) on the all-time list.
"I definitely want to keep playing for as many years as possible," Crosby said.
