That Window?

Previously, I stated that the Penguins would have the next five to eight years to win a championship. (Unlike other prognosticators, I'm going to temper my expectations by hoping for one championship before worrying about multiple championships and the potential for a modern-day dynasty.) Sidney Crosby's contract extension until the 2013 season reveals the window of time in which the Penguins have to capture the Cup.

Unlike others who immediately wished Crosby had signed for a longer duration, I believed Crosby's contract was reasonable and fair. Knowing as I do the superstitious natures of most hockey players, I had to laugh at the $8.7 million cap hit--a reasonable price for the best player in the game. (The Ottawa Senators organization, given upcoming negotiations with Jason Spezza, should send Crosby a note of appreciation.) And unlike Garth Snow, I'm not keen on wrapping up players, even franchise players, for fifteen years with one contract (though of course if Crosby had wanted a contract of that length, I probably would have rejoiced even as I would have encouraged an excellent financial insurance policy).

I view the duration of Crosby's contract through the lens of realism. Crosby, whatever ridiculous commentators say aside (no, I will not be linking to that ridiculous Sports Illustrated piece you may have read, so go search for it on your own if you want to read absolute drivel), is driven to win. The duration of his contract sets a time limit for the Pittsburgh Penguins: Management has until 2013, though, probably, realistically, until the spring of 2012, to capture the Cup and keep Crosby.

As a teenager, Crosby is content in Pittsburgh. He's happy with his teammates who want to win, with a team that has good chemistry, with an organization that treats him well, and with an organization that, by all appearances, is trying to assemble a team that can compete for the Cup year after year after year. Yet, if something would go wrong, the duration of Crosby's current contract will allow him other options when he is still in the prime of his career. If the organization cannot capture the Cup by 2012 or 2013 at latest, I expect to see Crosby sporting colors other than black-and-gold by 2014.

Now, as an ardent Pens fan, do I want the Pens to win the Cup? Of course. Given the history of the Pittsburgh hockey franchise, do I expect for everything to go right? Do I know the history of Michel Briere's death, of Mario Lemieux's many injuries, of Mario Lemieux's cancer, of a team that only won 2 Cups when, let's be honest, we all expected many more championships from that lineup, of a star player who we drafted and came to love and who many of us (not me) now boo when he appears on Igloo ice as the Rangers captain, of other great players we couldn't afford to keep over the years; well, of course I know that painful history. And in knowing that painful history, it's reason enough for me to temper my hopeful optimism that Crosby sports black-and-gold for life with the reality that the cliche of nothing is guaranteed being a constant in sports as in life.

In any case, at this point, the window of opportunity for capturing the Cup hasn't been drastically reduced. Crosby will be here until 2013, and Ryan Whitney was locked up long-term, too. Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin will only be playing their second season of entry-level contracts in the 2007-08 season. At this juncture, there is no need to hit the panic button and "go for broke" in terms of trades or pursuit of unrestricted free agents in order to capture the Cup by 2008 or even 2009.

Rest assured, however, that Crosby's contract sends a statement. And regardless of what buffoonish commentators think, that statement is twofold: Crosby wants to win, and he expects his organization to surround him with a team that will be able to capture the Cup and compete for championships every season.

So, for Penguins fans freaking out about the fact that you only have Crosby locked up until 2013, enjoy him while you have him. And, hopefully, as you enjoy him and the team his organization builds around him, that core of youthful talent develops into the core of a championship team and a perennial contender that Crosby could never imagine leaving.

But, for the moment, rather than worry about the future, let's enjoy the ride, all right?