Crosby signs extension, a Pen through 2013
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by user Hab-aholic
PITTSBURGH-- The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Sidney Crosby to a 5-year contract extension worth an estimated US$43 million, with an average salary, and cap hit, of US$8.7 per season.
"Sidney has proven himself to be a dynamic player and team leader at a very young age, and it is exciting news for our franchise and our fans to have him under contract for the next six seasons, through 2013," said Ray Shero, the Penguins executive vice president and general manager.
"When you've got a guy who leads the league in scoring and wins the MVP award at the age of 19, you know have someone very special. But Sid also is a tremendous asset for this organization as a leader in the dressing room, and as the face of our franchise in the community. And the fact that he wants to be here long-term is a great statement about the city of Pittsburgh and our organization," Shero said.
The extension will become effective during the 2008/09 campain.
Crosby followed up his sensational rookie season with an even better one, winning the league's most prestigious award, the Hart Trophy, at the age of 19. He also added the Art Ross Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Award that same night.
The young centerman had a total of 120 points, 36 goals and 84 assists, in 79 contests, improving by 18 points over his last season, during which he had 39 goals and 63 helpers.
He, therefore, became the youngest player in NHL history to record 200 points, at 19 years and 207 days of age.
Crosby's main focus this offseason was to sign a contract extension with the Penguins, a deal that would not only accomodate him financially, but that would also give the Penguins some money to spend on improving their team.
He was set to become an unrestricted free-agent after next season.
Who knows what kind of offers he could of gotten via offer sheets ?
