The Washington Capitals are entering the 2025-26 NHL season determined to build on their previous success as the top team in the Eastern Conference, aiming to advance further than their second-round playoff exit last year. The team has taken some preliminary steps during the offseason but remains open to making larger moves to strengthen their roster. Amid this backdrop, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was asked about trade possibilities involving divisional rivals, especially high-profile names like Sidney Crosby, linked to recent NHL trade rumors.
Ovechkin Responds to Questions About Potential Acquisitions from Rival Teams
Following the Match of the Year charity game on Sunday, reporter Pavel Lysenkov from Match TV directly posed a question to Ovechkin regarding trades that could bring prominent players such as Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby to Washington. When asked if adding either of these stars would boost the Capitals’ chances at winning the Stanley Cup, Ovechkin answered carefully, saying,
“If this happens, it would be wonderful. If not, we will fight on our own.”
Though the suggestion might seem far-fetched, Crosby and Malkin have appeared frequently in trade rumors since the conclusion of the 2024-25 NHL season. Both players, who have developed friendly relations with Ovechkin over the years, are part of a Pittsburgh Penguins roster that is undergoing major transition after missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.
Penguins’ Rebuilding Focus Sparks Trade Discussions about Crosby and Malkin
The Pittsburgh Penguins, led by general manager Kyle Dubas, are reportedly starting a teardown of their roster to begin a complete rebuild, putting future plans for veteran players like Malkin and Crosby under scrutiny. At 38, Malkin is expected to play his final season with the Penguins in 2025-26, as the organization does not plan to renew his contract once it expires. This season will see Malkin earn $6.1 million, having contributed 50 points (16 goals and 34 assists) in 68 games during the previous campaign.
According to James Murphy from RG Media, an NHL insider stated in June there is an expectation that the Penguins will eventually trade Malkin, though likely not before next season begins. Such a move would allow Pittsburgh to gain assets in return rather than lose the veteran centerman without compensation following his contract expiration.
Sidney Crosby’s Position Amid Trade Rumors and Team Struggles
Sidney Crosby, 37, recorded 91 points (33 goals, 58 assists) in 80 games for the 2024-25 season, marked as his third consecutive campaign with over 90 points. He is currently in the first year of a two-year contract extension worth $17.4 million, signed last September. Despite being the Penguins’ captain and a legendary figure in hockey, Crosby has not publicly requested a trade. However, many analysts speculate that he may not want to remain on a Penguins team performing at the bottom of the standings as he approaches the latter stages of his career.
Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos expressed earlier this month,
“I am now more in the belief that Sidney Crosby will be traded. If [the Penguins] are really bad, the likelihood he’s traded after the Olympics grows.”
Hockey commentator Elliotte Friedman agreed, adding,
“I’ve wondered about that. I completely agree with you. The only one thing people argue with me about is, he’s such a creature of habit, do you want to trade him in-season?”
Challenges and Limitations Surrounding Potential Trades for Penguins Veterans
Despite these trade rumors, moving either Crosby or Malkin to the Capitals presents substantial obstacles. The Penguins are unlikely to deal their franchise icons to a long-time rival such as Washington, especially given the intense competition between the two teams spanning nearly two decades. Furthermore, both veterans hold full no-movement clauses, preventing the Penguins from trading them without their explicit consent. Both Malkin and Crosby have also indicated a willingness to play exclusively for Pittsburgh during their NHL careers.
Washington Capitals’ Roster Strategy and Trade Prospects
The Capitals are reportedly seeking a highly skilled forward to complement their roster, but general manager Chris Patrick has emphasized acquiring players who align with the team‘s recent focus on youth development. In this regard, Malkin and Crosby, both in their late 30s, do not fit the Capitals’ age profile, as they are older than every player on Washington’s current lineup aside from Ovechkin himself.
While the Capitals possess valuable assets, including top prospects and multiple first-round draft picks over the next three seasons, orchestrating a trade involving either Malkin or Crosby seems improbable. The team‘s search for a dynamic forward is more likely to concentrate on younger talent that complements their long-term rebuilding plans.
Trade Rumors Highlight the Ongoing NHL Landscape and Rivalries
The speculation surrounding Sidney Crosby trade rumors in the NHL, especially concerning Washington and Pittsburgh, illustrates the uncertainty and shifting dynamics at play during this NHL offseason. For the Capitals, the quest to secure another Stanley Cup remains a priority, regardless of whether marquee players like Crosby or Malkin join the roster. As Ovechkin stated, the team is prepared to face the challenges ahead, either with new acquisitions or continuing to battle with their existing lineup.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How many teeth did Sidney Crosby lose?
A. Sidney Crosby lost two front teeth, but his impressive goal made the Penguins happy. Despite the injury, he couldn’t talk about his highlight-worthy, one-handed goal. This goal helped the Pittsburgh Penguins secure their 11th straight playoff spot.
Q. What disease does Sidney Crosby have?
A. On Sunday, Dr. Dharmesh Vyas, the lead doctor for the Pittsburgh Penguins, spoke at a news conference. He explained when Sidney Crosby was diagnosed with the mumps.