Insider Reveals High Cost to the Canadiens to Land Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are currently in the thick of the playoff hunt, which has naturally quieted the chatter about him potentially leaving to chase another Stanley Cup elsewhere.

That being said, the Penguins have been ridiculously up and down all season, so a down stretch in the coming weeks leading up to the trade deadline would quickly reignite that speculation. When and if it does happen, the Montreal Canadiens—as always—will be at the forefront.

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Whenever the idea of Crosby leaving Pittsburgh surfaces, the Canadiens are the most frequently mentioned destination, largely due to his well-documented love for the team and city, having grown up as a die-hard fan. As a result, Habs fans continue to hold out hope that the all-time great might one day consider leaving the only franchise he’s ever known, specifically to come to Montreal.

That will remain the case for as long as he continues to play, but TSN insider Darren Dreger recently shed light on what it would actually take for Montreal to pull off a deal for Crosby—and the price is steep: Michael Hage.

Dreger said: 

“If Michael Hage gets traded, it’s because Sidney Crosby is coming to Montreal.”

The 38-year-old Crosby remains one of the most productive players in the league, having amassed 49 points (24 goals, 25 assists) in 44 games played this season.

Hage, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the Canadiens’ most exciting prospects. The 19-year-old is thriving at the University of Michigan this year and coming off an excellent World Juniors, where he racked up 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in just seven games.

Is Sidney Crosby Worth That Cost for Montreal?

Given Hage’s recent dominance at both the collegiate level and the World Juniors, it’s understandable why Canadiens fans would be hesitant to include him in any deal—even one involving Crosby.

This is Crosby, though, so very little can be off the table here. That said, given where Montreal currently stands, it honestly wouldn’t make sense to give up on Hage for a player in his late thirties, no matter who it is.

As good as the Canadiens already are, winning a Stanley Cup over the next two years feels far-fetched, which is the window they’d have to win with Crosby in the fold. 

Hage is knocking on the door of becoming an impactful NHL player, and given the promise he’s shown since being selected in the first round in 2024 (21st overall), Kent Hughes and company need to see that development through, because he very well could be their second-line center of the future.

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