Friday Faceoff: Should the Colorado Avalanche trade for NHL superstar Sidney Crosby?
Chris Schmaedeke, digital sports editor
Answer: Yes.
It is time for the Colorado Avalanche to turn back the clock and swing for the fences at the NHL trade deadline.
Remember when the Avs would pull out all the stops, trade for Rob Blake or Ray Bourque and shock the NHL? Let's bring that back.
And the biggest name out there is Penguins star Sidney Crosby, who happens to be one of Nathan MacKinnon’s closest friends.
My colleague Evan has said that Crosby will not be traded, and no one in the Denver media market knows pro hockey better. But let’s live in a hockey world where the trade is possible.
It would cost the Avs a ton to procure one of the best players ever. Young center Calum Ritchie would probably have to be in the deal, as would standout young goalie Ilya Nabokov to even convince the Penguins to pick up the phone.
Not to mention some high draft picks.
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These are the types of trades the old Avalanche would make. A trade to maximine their star power — and we know Colorado has plenty of that. Cale Makar and MacKinnon have one Stanley Cup and that is clearly not enough considering the caliber of players they are.
The addition of Crosby would make the Avs even more of the team nobody would want to face in the playoffs. It’s time for Colorado to become scary once again.
Evan Rawal, Avalanche beat writer
Answer: No
Acquiring Sidney Crosby would be a game-changer. Even at 37 he's a difference maker who looks like he still has a few good years left in the tank. If available, it's a no-brainer for the Avalanche to do what they can to get him and maximize their chances of winning while their star players are in their prime.
He just isn't available.
Crosby has made it very clear he's comfortable where he is in Pittsburgh. Until that changes, and it really is completely up to him, he's not going anywhere. It seems like he's content riding things out in Pittsburgh and spending the rest of his career as a member of the Penguins. That might not be the news hockey fans here want to hear, but it's ultimately his choice.
The idea of uniting Crosby with Nathan MacKinnon is a dream scenario for Avalanche fans. If the 4 Nations Face-Off was an indication, a lot of NHL fans around the world wouldn't mind seeing it happen, either. I don't enjoy crushing dreams, but in this case I must.
Unless Crosby changes his mind, it's not happening. Avalanche fans might just have to settle for a guy like Islanders center Brock Nelson instead. Not nearly as fun or exciting, but I'm trying to temper expectations here.
