NHL: Utah at Pittsburgh Penguins - Source: Imagn — Sidney Crosby has scored 600 goals for the Pittsburgh Penguins during his career (Credits: IMAGN)

Pierre LeBrun quips at Bryan Hayes to "not to do crack cocaine" for suggesting Sidney Crosby to Toronto Maple Leafs trade

Modified Nov 27, 2024 12:58 GMT

The Pittsburgh Penguins have endured a nightmare start to the 2024-25 season. With a 7-12-4 record and 18 points in the Metropolitan division, they are far from looking like a playoff-caliber team. This has prompted insiders to question Sidney Crosby's future at the club.

On Monday's episode of TSN Overdrive, analyst Bryan Hayes floated the idea that the Toronto Maple Leafs could potentially target Crosby in a hypothetical trade, given their struggles in the "middle of the ice." Hayes suggested that the Leafs' need for a top-tier center might align with the Penguins' desire to look for new prospects in order to rebuild.

However, on Tuesday's episode, Pierre LeBrun, a guest on the show, blasted Hayes for even coming up with the idea of such a trade. LeBrun jokingly suggested that Hayes' probable trade came from a place of him being intoxicated on cocaine.

"You guys are now affecting my life with this nonsense. And now I gotta come on here... I warned you. I warned you not to do crack cocaine before the show. Warned you," LeBrun said to Hayes and rest of the Overdrive panel.

After the laughs, LeBrun also went on to explain that despite the adversity it is unlikely that the Penguins' 2005 No.1 overall Draft pick would sign elsewhere.

"All kidding aside, we all hate seeing this play out in Pittsburgh. I mean, Sidney Crosby deserves better, and I do check in on that situation once in a while… I did check in generally on that situation. What I was told point blank, my similar knowledge of the situation, is Sid hasn't brought that up with anyone around him so far this year," LeBrun added.

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Pierre LeBrun states Sidney Crosby's extension obstacle in getting trade sanctioned

For a player of Sidney Crosby's caliber, he should have the right to choose where he would play if there is wriggle room. As per Pierre Lebrun, the Toronto Maple Leafs will not have the flexibility to bring in Crosby because of his enormous 2-year $17.4 extension he signed with Pittsburgh in the offseason.

LeBrun also stated that Crosby would've known the circumstances in which he had to play, considering the Pens failed to make it to the playoffs last season.

"I think Sidney Crosby signed this extension knowing, not hoping, but knowing that there could be some real pain here for a while before perhaps things get better over the course of this extension. But let's also not rule out that the way the extension was structured, front loaded, it makes it a lot easier to trade at the end of it," LeBrun said.

Realistically, the Leafs would have to shell out numerous first-round picks and give up one or two major prospects if they have to lock in the 3x Stanley Cup winner.