How many sellouts did this team achieve during Sids first year and our "brands" final season?
So no, you dont STILL SELL OUT if your brand is a shell of his former self on a team that absolutely sucks.
Father time came for Ward. It came for Smitty. It came for Mario and it will come for Ben and Sid believe it or not. And the way you remain competitive is offering superstar players reasonable deals at reasonable lengths so you can continue to surround your aging "brand "with something more than mediocre talent.

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I'm sick of hearing 'bout the have and have-not's
Have some personal accountability
The biggest problem with the way that we are doing things is
The more we let you have, the less that I'll be keeping for me

Holy shit -- Sid Crosby is the undisputed number 1 player in the world. Every single team would sign him in a heartbeat, and would pay more than $9M/year to do so.

Sid is young, not some old man. He'll probably play for more than 9 years.

He is the centerpiece of the team, and I'm sure that's a good move. $9M/year is not a bad deal for 10 years -- in fact, the deal will probably look exceptionally good for the Pens as the cap changes and as inflation kicks in over the next decade.

Sid averaged nearly 2 points a game after his comeback. I chalk up his poor postseason performance to his game conditioning. I dont see why you wouldn't give a similar deal to Crosby than you would before.

And what happens if/when he rejects your offer and demands a lengthier deal? You really don't think Shero and co. would prefer another 5 year deal?

Sid's just looking out for number 1, and that's just the nature of the beast when it comes to the best player in the world.

And I wouldn't begrudge Sid for wanting what he wants: it's his right as a player to seek the best payday for his talents.

All I am saying is that if I am Shero I am hesistant to give the world to a player who has missed half of the past 2 full seasons.
I'm optimistic that his neck/concussion whatever it was is now being managed properly. But just one incidential collission can really fuck up a Ferrari...

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I'm sick of hearing 'bout the have and have-not's
Have some personal accountability
The biggest problem with the way that we are doing things is
The more we let you have, the less that I'll be keeping for me

I generally wouldn't have a problem with a long deal like that IF there was an out written into the language of it for the team should Sid's health take a serious turn south. A bad deal like that of a Bryzgalov or DePietro can really set a franchise back in a serious way and become an albatross around their neck. People aren't going to come to CEC to watch Sid up on screen watching the action from the press box. If he stays healthy, and at his young age, he won't be over the hill when the deal expires. He's have one more deal left in him to finish out his career.

Remember, this is a groundless rumor based on some journo talking to other GM's not named Ray Shero.

Shero has said he hates mega-long deals. I'll believe him, though the bonus to mega-long deals is backloading, which would help short term.

I agree with your argument if you were talking about "a player" -- Sid is much more than that - and Mario knows it too

Yep, I'll be happy once I hear that it's official.

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Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler

why couldn't they put some language in and set his deal up like Peyton Manning?

5 years $90M

A series of 5 one year deals worth $18M each, contingent on passing a physical each offseason to trigger the team option the following year

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Colbert on the #Steelers RB situation: "Where we were in running game last year was indicative in the talent at the position.''