Boston Bruins absurd trade analyzer: Sidney Crosby

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 27: Patrice Bergeron #37 of Team Canada is congratulated by his teammates Sidney Crosby #87 and Brad Marchand #63 following his third period goal during Game One of the World Cup of Hockey final series at the Air Canada Centre on September 27, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 27: Patrice Bergeron #37 of Team Canada is congratulated by his teammates Sidney Crosby #87 and Brad Marchand #63 following his third period goal during Game One of the World Cup of Hockey final series at the Air Canada Centre on September 27, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
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Jan 26, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck in front of Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) during the second period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck in front of Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) during the second period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Bruins – Pittsburgh Penguins megadeal.

It’s really tough to say what a potential Sidney Crosby trade would look like as a player of his caliber doesn’t become available every day.

No matter the case, the haul would have to be a monster for what is still a top-5 player in the league. The fact that Crosby averages over a point per game and are under contract until 2025 for a severe underpayment at $8.7 million per year makes the player so much more valuable.

In this trade scenario, the Boston Bruins would be in full-on future mortgaging mode. Losing their top forward prospect in Jack Studnicka and top defenceman prospect in Urho Vaakanainen along with two future 1sts would be tough to swallow for Bruins management.

For a rebuilding Pittsburgh Penguins team though, this is the motherload. If you think about the returns that other core pieces Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang could bring back, plus what would be a ridiculous Crosby return – they could have the easiest rebuild of all-time.

The prize coming back the Boston Bruins’ way would be more than worth it in the three-time Stanley Cup champion.

How could the Boston Bruins fit Sid the Kid under the cap?

It wouldn’t be easy, but it would be possible.

The Boston Bruins currently have near $6 million worth of cap space and Don Sweeney could make a few contracts disappear if it meant being able to slide a guy like Sidney Crosby into the lineup.

It is also entirely possible a rebuilding squad in the Pittsburgh Penguins would be willing to retain a few bucks in salary if it meant a return like what they should receive in any Crosby deal.