NHL Free Agency 2012: Penguins, Sidney Crosby Make Deal Official

The PIttsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby made their deal for an extension official on Sunday.

Sidney Crosby Contract Extension: How Much Risk Is Involved?

While Pittsburgh Penguins fans should be thrilled that the team has locked up star center Sidney Crosby for the next 12 years, there is always an element of risk involved. For Crosby, the risk has to do with his recent injury history.

In the last 18 months, Crosby has played in only 28 games after suffering his second concussion in five days on January 5, 2011. Even after coming back last November, he suffered a setback in December and missed the next three months.

What should also concern Penguins fans is the fact that the team will probably be on the hook for most if not all of Crosby's contract, according to James Mirtle of The Globe And Mail. Despite that, he thinks that its not all bad news for the Penguins should Crosby get injured again.

The Penguins are likely on the hook for the full value of Crosby's contract even if he suffers another head injury and can no longer play, which could hurt the franchise's bottom line for years. The good news in that scenario is his contract could still be placed on injured reserve to free up salary-cap space for a replacement.

The other risk that the Penguins have with this deal is that the deal will likely not be insurable after seven years.

For more on the Penguins, check out PensBurgh.

Sidney Crosby Contract Extension Says Much About Crosby's Character

Sidney Crosby Contract Extension A 'Done Deal,' According To Report

The Pittsburgh Penguins will announce at some point that Sidney Crosby will sign a huge contract extension worth $104.4 million that will keep him in Pittsburgh for the next 12 years, according to a tweet by Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet in Canada.

Breaking #NHL news. Done deal. Look for #Pens to announce star Sidney Crosby to a new 12 year contract for 104.4M.Annual cap hit 8.7M

— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) June 28, 2012

The $8.7 million annual cap hit is the main thing to keep in mind. However, this contract could be front-loaded so that Crosby will count less against the cap later on.

Despite missing much of the 2011-12 season because of concussion symptoms, Crosby performed admirably towards the end of the season and in the playoffs. Crosby scored eight goals and recorded 29 assists in 22 games. In the playoffs Crosby scored three goals and recorded five assists in the Penguins' six-game series loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

If Crosby can recapture the form that made him one of the best players in the NHL, the Penguins will certainly be glad to spend that much money to keep Crosby locked up.

For more on the Penguins, check out PensBurgh.

Sidney Crosby To Get Mammoth Extension On Sunday, According To Report

Despite an injury shortened 2011-12 season, Sidney Crosby is reportedly receiving a huge contract extension from the Penguins totaling over $100 million.