According to NHL expert Elliotte Friedman, it appears that Sidney Crosby will deal with a tough summer season ahead. The distinguished professional athlete has actually just recently devoted to representing Team Canada in the upcoming World Championships, where he will be accompanied by his buddy Nathan MacKinnon. Following a frustrating playoff exit for the Colorado Avalanche at the hands of the Dallas Stars, MacKinnon, feeling annoyed and disheartened, is figured out to encourage Crosby to think about joining him in Colorado.

In a current episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman presented a concern to co-host Kyle Bukauskas concerning who must stimulate the most compassion after the Avalanche’s collapse in Game 7. After some inaccurate guesses, Friedman addressed his own inquiry, mentioning “Sidney Crosby” as the person who is worthy of the most empathy.

“… you know why? Because we found out Sunday he’s going to play for Canada at the World Championships, and so is MacKinnon. Do you really think MacKinnon won’t be constantly urging Crosby, saying, ‘Hey, the NHL needs you in the playoffs?’ Pittsburgh has recently undergone a coaching change due to differing visions between Kyle Dubas and Mike Sullivan on the team’s future direction. Sullivan is focused on winning now, while Dubas is considering a rebuild.”

Friedman elaborated that MacKinnon would non-stop pursue Crosby, painting a grim image of Crosby’s future in Pittsburgh in the middle of the restoring stage, recommending that he might lose out on more playoff chances. ‘Why don’t you join me in Colorado so we can control the league together from the Western Conference?’

He even more kept in mind, “Even when MacKinnon isn’t actively persuading Crosby, he will be giving him those intense looks that communicate a strong desire for them to play together in Colorado.” This vibrant includes an interesting layer to their relationship in the middle of the pressures of expert hockey.

Friedman discussed that if MacKinnon’s efforts to sway Crosby throughout the World Championships do not be successful, he will continue his efforts when they go back to Nova Scotia for the summer season. This summer season is poised to be an especially long one for MacKinnon as he plans on how to encourage Crosby to make the relocation.

Friedman Is Serious About the Crosby-MacKinnon Connection

While some listeners may dismiss these remarks as simple small talk, Friedman insists he is not joking. He thinks that MacKinnon will be preoccupied with this concept throughout the whole offseason, mentioning, “This thought will linger in his mind all summer long.”

Can Crosby genuinely be convinced to leave Pittsburgh? Based on his previous declarations, it appears not likely. Yet, with a prospective restoring stage on the horizon and the departure of veteran coach Mike Sullivan to the New York Rangers, one should question just what is keeping Crosby in Pittsburgh aside from his deep-rooted commitment to the franchise.

Next: Marc-Andre Fleury Commits to Team Canada, May Continue with the Wild