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.
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