Sports Talk: Sid the Kid needs to be traded this off season

By Greg Buchanan

Many NHL players are in good stances with their current organizations. You have guys like Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, and Connor Bedard, all looking to make big impacts for their current franchise this season and beyond.

The 2023-24 NHL Trade Deadline has passed, so it’s too late to trade certain players who should have been traded at that deadline.

That said, let’s review a few NHL players who need to be traded in the 2024 off-season.

Many of you may be surprised to learn that Sid the Kid is the first entry on this list. However, given the Pen’s recent woes, it’s not that far-fetched.

Crosby has played his entire career with the Penguins, spanning over 18 seasons with the club, captaining the team since 2007.

With the Penguins’ recent struggles to remain among the top teams in the NHL while having a top roster, it may be time for a rebuild. Crosby will be entering his age-37 season next year, and the Penguins are not the most promising team in the league.

A trade would shock the hockey world and change the NHL landscape forever. To be honest, seeing Crosby’s number 87 in a Vegas or even Chicago jersey may be interesting for NHL fans.

The next on my list is Jacob Markstom. He signed a 6-year deal in Calgary in 2020 and was expected to be the Flames’ full-time starter in goal for the next few years.

Markstoms time with the Flames has been very up and down, as he has struggled through injuries and poor play. His 2023-24 season has seen him bounce back in a remarkable way, becoming one of the top goaltenders in the league once again.

The Flames’ downward trajectory has seen star players like Matthew Tkachuk, Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, and Chris Tanev traded, and Johnny Gaudreau left in free agency.

As much as Flames fans might not like to hear it, Markstrom needs to be traded this off-season, and Calgary needs to capitalize on a possible great return for the star netminder.