Strange thought, just wanted to get other opinions...

[Hugo Stiglitz]

This is an odd topic and probably in no way truly realistic, but just something I was pondering since well, we're not in the playoffs.

Sid came back, and while he was amazing at times, I don't think it's a stretch to say he obviously wasn't 100% the old Sid yet. By all accounts, I don't think anyone expected him to be and most understand it will be a slow process for him to get back to where he was before the concussions. Ok, on to the question at hand.

Let's say next season that Sid has a very solid season, concussion-symptom-free, but still doesn't 100% get that edge back that he had. He plays around 75 games and puts up around 80 points/30 goals which is obviously still awesome, but again, still just not the same Sid:

A) Do you think he still ASKS for the same money or settles for slightly less? I only say settles because he was willing to take less in his initial contract. Does it he do it again because he knows he's not the same player or brings as much to the team as he did before?

B) Do teams offer him less? That's probably the silliest question, because teams overpay(not that he's an overpayment), but obviously if they're willing to overpay for players who aren't worth it, I'm sure they'll throw the bank at Sid. However, is there a chance teams are hesitant because he may not be the same player and think there's a risk of re-injury?

[mikey287]

No one offers him less. Crosby has a blank check staring at him if he makes it to July 1st. Whether he asks for the same money is up to him entirely, he knows his market value is basically whatever he says it is. Teams will re-arrange their whole spending structure to accomodate a player like that.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

No one offers him less. Crosby has a blank check staring at him if he makes it to July 1st. Whether he asks for the same money is up to him entirely, he knows his market value is basically whatever he says it is. Teams will re-arrange their whole spending structure to accomodate a player like that.

That's my general thought as well, but I just wonder if he's gonna have an injury stigma attached to him now due to the concussions? Along with the fact he may never return 100% to being the same player he was.

[mikey287]

That certainly creeps into the back of your mind, but are you going to pass up Sidney Crosby if you're an NHL GM? I don't think so.

[bhaw]

I think it becomes moot because Shero will lock him up asap. I don't think next year will even factor into his contract. And even if he did play next year without an extension, I don't think there is anything he can do that will affect what he makes. As mikey said, his contract will be whatever he wants it to be.

[WHITEY1]

So what this boils down to is 8 years at 7 million per season? Works for me DO IT SHERO!!! Stamkos who might be the best goal scorer in the league making $7.5 mill but only for 5 years. Sid takes a lil less to get extra years added on and sticks with the 87 theme.

[Tico Rick]

To take the OPs idea a bit further, what if Sid has two average years, and Geno doubles Sid's output. How do you NOT pay Geno substantially more when it's time to negotiate his contract?

[no name]

This post is moot, come July 1st this season Shero will begin negotiations. If Sid doesn't sign a deal befor camp starts the trade rumors would be flowing. Imagine Sid says he wants to test free agency... If you let Sid play the entire year without a contract... shame on you shero. Sid is a asset you can't just let or have a chance at walking away foor nothing.

[DelPen]

If he is not the player he was when Shero payed him $8.7 million but another team still does I would be OK letting him walk to another team provided we find good value in the players signed to replace him. If we spent Sid's $8.7 million on some better wings for Staal and depth then we might be a better team.

[NashvilleCat]

Sid was on pace for something like 130 points, why would he have time off come back and put up 80 in 75? If he does that I'm thinking he's worse off than he was last year.

[It'sagreatdayforhockey!]

If he is not the player he was when Shero payed him $8.7 million but another team still does I would be OK letting him walk to another team provided we find good value in the players signed to replace him. If we spent Sid's $8.7 million on some better wings for Staal and depth then we might be a better team.

So after all this time, the "wingers for Sid" were on another team and we were in search of the ones for Staal?

[Pitt87]

No one offers him less. Crosby has a blank check staring at him if he makes it to July 1st. Whether he asks for the same money is up to him entirely, he knows his market value is basically whatever he says it is. Teams will re-arrange their whole spending structure to accomodate a player like that.

I agree... I actually suspect that there have already been some preliminary due diligence that serves as negotiation. The only reason he's not extended through the rest of his career is because a.) the last day of this season has not yet passed and b.) the CBA looms large.

Once these things are resolved, so will Sid.

[owtahear]

I am hoping, and right now it sure looks like, Sid's recovery path is along the lines of Patrice Bergeron. For awhile, it looked iffy if Bergeron would ever recover to be the player he was, and play the majority of games. He could have won the Conn Smythe last year.

[Penspal]

Sid's salary is going to be about 75% based upon his production/health. However, the rest is going to be on other "intangible" value. He is a marketing machine, people want to see him play, want his jersey, etc.

Sid's value to a team does not stop there. Sid's work ethic in practice alone makes other players better. While Sid is no Mike Richards leader , he's pretty good in his own style, and getting better with each year of experience.

I think you will see Sid's salary continue to rise, but NOT be the top guy as he doesn't have that kind of ego. Its not like the Mario days, a couple years of NHL superstar salary today, and you should be set up for life.

[Sarcastic]

A) Do you think he still ASKS for the same money or settles for slightly less? I only say settles because he was willing to take less in his initial contract. Does it he do it again because he knows he's not the same player or brings as much to the team as he did before?

B) Do teams offer him less? That's probably the silliest question, because teams overpay(not that he's an overpayment), but obviously if they're willing to overpay for players who aren't worth it, I'm sure they'll throw the bank at Sid. However, is there a chance teams are hesitant because he may not be the same player and think there's a risk of re-injury?

A - What do you mean he's not the same player? Do you think he's somehow broken forever? I thought he looked great, maybe started running a little out of gas in the end, but mostly it was just that the team was outplayed by the Flyers. I don't worry much about his head because I think the big issue was his neck anyway.

B - What teams? Other teams are not going to offer him anything because we we will resign him before it gets to that point. I think he deserves whatever he wants, but my hope is that he will stick to more or less what he gets now and that Malkin does the same. Shero needs to make sure they understand he has to have money left to fill the team with good players or it won't be fun for anybody.

[Desiato]

80 points in 75 games? Where does that come from? There is no indication whatsoever his production will take a hit like that. He had 1.68 PPG last season! And 1.33 PPG in the playoffs despite being pointless the final two games of the series.

This thread is all nerves.

Personally, I'm not convinced that he has recovered from his concussions. That would be silly as he has yet to achieve any meaningful milestones. However, we won't know until next season. To speculate now is pretty pointless. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt though; he's earned that 100 times over.

[columbia]

I'm not convinced that he'll ever recovered from his concussions.

[offsides]

I'm not convinced that he'll ever recovered from his concussions.

I sure hope you are wrong, but I'm afraid you could be right. Maybe this long layoff will be the cure. Next season will be quite interesting, no matter what happens. The coaches and the players will be under the LGP microscope. As always, there will be major expectations going into the season.

[Sarcastic]

Guys, he was probably over his concussion long ago. It was his neck. Just my opinion and we know how that goes, but I really think it was. Also, remember that nasty headbutt he took from Malkin and was fine.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I obviously don't expect anything other than the Pens doing whatever they need to do in order to keep Sid a Penguin for life. This was a mere thought that if he decided to hit free agency, would he not garner the same kind of contract. Just a devil's advocate thing.