How Much Longer Will Sidney Crosby Play?
Sidney Crosby extended his NHL record for most seasons averaging at least a point per game to 21 years, which, if you’re keeping score at home, means every season he’s played in the league. Crosby’s achievement is one that probably won’t be matched for a long time, if ever, and it raises a few questions.
How much longer will Crosby continue to play? How much longer can he maintain an elite level of performance?
To be honest, the first question likely has the same answer as the second. Given Crosby’s pride, he’s probably not going to keep playing if his game declines and he turns into a nostalgia act.
There is a lot to consider when projecting Crosby’s future. He is clearly in top physical condition and takes pride in being a gym rat. That said, Crosby’s physical skills have not yet declined, and that could remain the case for at least a few more seasons. Crosby doesn’t rely on speed or a skill-based game, though he still retains significant ability in both areas.
Nonetheless, his hockey IQ, puck skills in tight spaces, legendary lower-body strength, puck protection, and edge work are his bread and butter. His fierce backhand, which hasn’t lost any velocity, is another key asset. In fact, none of those skills has diminished, and they might not for a while.
The best comparison in most of these categories is probably another former Penguins player, Jaromír Jágr. Jágr was arguably the best puck protector in NHL history, and very few have ever viewed the game the way he did.
Now, that’s not to say Crosby will play into his 50s. But Jágr played in the NHL until he was 45, and he was still rather effective right up to the end. It wasn’t until his last few games with the Flames during the 2017-18 season that Jágr’s scoring really slowed down, as he scored just a goal and six assists in 22 games and finished his career halfway through that season. It was a bit of an anti-climactic ending to one of the greatest NHL careers ever, but Jágr still managed to go out on his own terms for the most part.
Therein lies a difference between Crosby and Jágr, and it rests solely on the perception of Crosby as a prideful man who cares deeply about winning and being elite. Jagr was willing to accept the fact that if he continued playing, he would no longer be an elite NHL player. He was still incredibly effective, but his skills had diminished. It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which Crosby does the same thing, especially given that his mentor, Mario Lemieux, walked away at 40 when he felt his game slip and the physical toll of playing became too much, plus an atrial fibrillation diagnosis.
That physical toll is another significant consideration for Crosby, given that his 21-year career has taken a physical and sometimes mental toll on the 38-year-old. Obviously, the recent knee injury at the Olympics is at the forefront of Crosby’s mind, but it is far from the only physical ailment he has faced. Crosby has experienced other lower-body injuries, facial injuries, and a documented long history of concussions. The concussions are particularly unpredictable, and it’s difficult to know what might happen if Crosby were to suffer another one this late in his career. This factor greatly influences his longevity in the game.
Perhaps the biggest factor is that the Penguins are actually good again, playing a high-flying, exciting brand of hockey that Crosby loves. Josh Yohe of The Athletic has previously written that he doesn’t believe Crosby will retire after his current contract, which expires next summer. That would mean Crosby could conceivably sign a deal that takes him through his age-40 season at a minimum. Crosby loves to win and has previously stated that it’s what drives him; if Pittsburgh is in a position to go on a run, he would want to be part of it.
Finally, the race is on for Crosby to become only the second player ever to reach 2,000 career points and to move into second place on the all-time scoring list. That position is currently held by Jágr, who is 162 points ahead of Crosby, who is now seventh overall in NHL scoring. With 1,759 points, Crosby needs 241 more to hit the 2,000 mark. It’s not impossible, but it will require some elite-level production from him well into his early 40s.
Crosby has averaged 1.09 points per game this season, down from his previous years’ production, which hovered around 1.13-1.14. If Crosby can maintain that rate and play 70 games a season over the next two years, he would reach approximately 153 points, putting him close to Jagr and less than 100 points shy of 2,000.
Of course, all of this remains speculation, and injuries can disrupt the projections, just as skill regression and age are inevitabilities. However, it’s not unreasonable to envision a scenario where Crosby plays three or four more seasons, which, if he stays healthy, is likely to see him reach 2,000 points. It could also coincide with a period when the Penguins are firmly in a win-now phase with their new core of young players, some of whom Crosby is already playing alongside and winning with.
Wild Recall Hunter Haight, Matt Kiersted
The Minnesota Wild recalled Hunter Haight and Matt Kiersted from AHL Iowa, announced today. With their first round playoff opponent set (Dallas) the club has summoned reinforcements for their final two regular season games; tomorrow at St. Louis and Tuesday against Anaheim.
Both Haight and Kiersted have contributed as depth already this season, and despite being key players for the farm club, Iowa is ranked 29th in the AHL and therefore doesn’t have the highest stakes after what has been another forgettable season.
Haight, 22, is a noteworthy prospect of Minnesota. Selected 47th overall in 2022, the center jumped into the AHL last season as an immediate contributor, posting 34 points in 67 games. He followed that up with more progression, nearly matching the same output in 16 fewer contests. The efforts got him his NHL debut in October, followed by brief stints both in the winter, and the spring, as recently as last month.
The rookie recorded his first NHL point in March, an assist. His usage remains limited, just one tick below 10:00 across the seven total games. An AHL All Star this season, the Ontario native has high puck skill for a projected top nine forward at the NHL level. As expected, he’s often been sheltered starting nearly 60% of his shifts in the offensive zone, but such will change should he develop into a trustworthy two-way center.
On the other hand, Kiersted is an AHL veteran at age 27. In his first season with the Wild organization, the Minnesota native spent most of the year in Iowa, outside of four games with the big club. Usually more offensively capable, with a 29-point campaign last year with the Charlotte Checkers, Kiersted had just 12 points in 49 games with Iowa.
Having 43 NHL games under his belt, 39 of which come from his time in Florida, the lefty is a dependable call-up to fill in on the blue line. In his last NHL contest, January 5 at Los Angeles, Kiersted played just 8:31 but he’ll figure to see more action in the coming days.
With the likes of Joel Eriksson Ek, Mats Zuccarello, and Jared Spurgeon all day-to-day, and the chance to rest more stars such as Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes, the duo will have plenty of opportunity tomorrow night.
Senators Recall Hayden Hodgson
The Ottawa Senators have called up Hayden Hodgson from AHL Belleville, in a team announcement earlier today. Having locked up a spot in the postseason, currently slated for a first round match-up against Buffalo, the forward is a perfect spot-starter on the fourth line before what could be an exciting series against two franchises craving a run.
Brady Tkachuk was shaken up yesterday against the Islanders, not returning after catching a stick in the neck area in a weird sequence. Considering what’s in store, there’s no reason to rush their captain back for an inconsequential contest in Newark tonight, and Hodgson is a beneficiary.
The 30-year-old had to play the long game to this point. Undrafted out of the OHL, he was scarcely on anyone’s radar after bouncing around various ECHL clubs from 2017-2021 as well as a stint in Slovakia. After a sudden breakout with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2021-22, where he recorded 31 points, Hodgson got into seven games with the Flyers, but soon found himself back on the move.
Undeterred, the Windsor, Ontario native caught on with the Senators organization in 2024, fully leaning into an enforcer role with back-to-back campaigns with over 130 penalty minutes. The willingness to drop the mitts has gotten him 11 games with the Sens over the past two years, still looking for his first point with the club, but a metric hardly in his job description.
Hodgson will be eager for his first NHL action since early December, assuming he draws into the lineup against the Devils. Not yet reaching the 9:00 mark with the big club in any of his nine games, there can be less restriction of his ice time in a game against a team firmly out of the playoff picture.
After tonight Ottawa will conclude their regular season Wednesday, hosting the Maple Leafs. Hodgson will be soon to re-join Belleville, who unfortunately won’t qualify for the playoffs, but 2025-26 has been a year to remember with the most NHL playing time in his career so far.
Predators Reassign Jordan Oesterle
April 12: This afternoon Nashville reassigned Oesterle to AHL Milwaukee, shared in a press release. The veteran skated in one game, last Thursday at Utah, playing just over 14 minutes and finishing a -1. His Predators fell 4-1 as a significant blow to their playoff hopes. Oesterle was then scratched yesterday in the club’s win over Minnesota, as they went with 22-year-old rookie righty Ryan Ufko instead.
In all likelihood the Mammoth contest will be Oesterle’s only NHL action of the 2025-26 campaign, a real shift after his tenure as a full-timer in the league from 2017-23. A free agent at season’s end, and opportunities with the Predators clearly limited, he’s presumably putting his final touches on his time with the organization this month.
April 6: The Predators recalled veteran defenseman Jordan Oesterle from the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals on Monday, per a team announcement. He comes up to give Nashville a seventh healthy defenseman after lefty Nicolas Hague left Saturday’s 6-3 win over the Sharks with an undisclosed injury in the first period and did not return. As such, Hague is doubtful for tonight’s contest against the Kings, although how much time he’ll miss beyond that is unknown.
Nashville acquired Oesterle off waivers from the Bruins at last season’s trade deadline amid a rash of season-ending injuries to Roman Josi, Jeremy Lauzon, and Adam Wilsby. The 33-year-old was a fine depth fill-in, posting three goals and an assist with a -3 rating in 15 games. Since he’d signed a two-year, two-way deal with Boston the prior offseason, he remained under contract with the Preds heading into training camp. With Hague’s acquisition from the Golden Knights and Nicklaus Perbix‘s pickup in free agency, Oesterle was in a wide competition for a spot as the Preds’ healthy extra but ultimately ended up on waivers midway through training camp.
Unlike last season, Oesterle cleared. He’s been in Milwaukee ever since, where the veteran of 408 NHL games leads the team with 46 points in 65 games. That includes an 11-point run in his last seven games.
On the heels of that strong minor-league performance, he’ll get a late-season reward for his play heading into free agency this summer. Nashville lost a high-quality depth option when they sent Nick Blankenburg to the Avalanche at the deadline, so it’ll either be Oesterle or rookie Ryan Ufko entering the lineup for Hague tonight. If they want to keep their two-lefty top pair of Josi and Brady Skjei together, it’ll likely be Oesterle stepping in to ensure there’s a left-shot option on the second and third pairings as well. Neither is a great stylistic fit to replace the imposing Hague.
If Oesterle draws in, his first NHL game in nearly a calendar year couldn’t come with higher stakes. Nashville’s playoff hopes face a 40 percent swing depending on the result of tonight’s game against Los Angeles. They currently sit in the second wild-card slot with a 34.6% chance of hanging onto it and securing an improbable playoff berth, but that number could rise to 55.6% with a regulation win and drop to just 17.2% with a regulation loss, per MoneyPuck. The Preds and Kings both have 81 points through 76 games, but Nashville has already clinched the tiebreaker with 26 regulation wins compared to L.A.’s 19.
Sharks Recall Luca Cagnoni
The San Jose Sharks announced today that they have recalled Luca Cagnoni from their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.
Cagnoni hasn’t played in the NHL this season, but got into six NHL games last year. In the meantime, he’s been one of the AHL’s most productive offensive defensemen, scoring 16 goals and 52 points as a rookie in 2024-25, and 43 points in 67 games in 2025-26.
The 5’9″ 180-pound blueliner is a former WHL star who is generally considered to be one of the better prospects in the Sharks’ system, which is one of the league’s very best. As with most defensemen his size, he has had to answer questions related to whether he’ll be able to handle the physical rigor and intensity of the NHL, but so far in his two-year professional career, he’s answered those questions in an emphatically positive direction.
The Sharks have not yet been eliminated from the playoffs, but their hopes of reaching the postseason are very slim. In the event they are eliminated from the playoffs before the end of the regular season, this recall will allow the team to get a look at Cagnoni’s progress.
His success at the AHL level suggests he could be nearing the point of NHL-readiness, and the Sharks are likely to want the chance to assess how close they believe Cagnoni is to making a real push for a full-time NHL roster spot.
The environment of the Sharks defense is favorable to Cagnoni, as he could have a significant opportunity ahead of him. San Jose’s defense is almost entirely unsettled for next season, with only Sam Dickinson and Dmitry Orlov under contract for 2026-27.
Mario Ferraro, Vincent Desharnais, Nick Leddy, and John Klingberg are set to hit unrestricted free agency, while Shakir Mukhamadullin will be an RFA. Klingberg has quarterbacked San Jose’s No. 1 power play unit this season, and if the Sharks let him walk, a significant amount of time on the man advantage will open up – time Cagnoni could very well seize if he makes the team.
Philadelphia Flyers Recall David Jiricek
The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled defenseman David Jiricek from their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
The move puts the 2022 No. 6 overall pick in a position to potentially make his Flyers debut in one of the team’s final two regular-season games. He was acquired by the Flyers in March in exchange for forward Bobby Brink, but has yet to make his NHL debut.
PHLY Sports’ Charlie O’Connor wrote that he’d “be surprised” if Jiricek actually played on this recall, given the Flyers still need to clinch their playoff spot. The team is 7-3-0 in their last 10 games, so head coach Rick Tocchet might not have much of an appetite to make changes to a lineup that is firing on all cylinders.
But if the Flyers manage to clinch a playoff spot with a game remaining on their schedule, Jiricek could make his debut for the team in the final game of the regular season.
If Jiricek does play, the most likely spot in the lineup for him to take would be on the right side of the team’s third pairing. That’s a spot currently occupied by Emil Andrae, who is a lefty and has averaged 15:17 time on ice per game this season.
Jiricek, 22, has been stellar at the AHL level since joining the Flyers organization. He has 13 points in 13 games, and is playing a significant role in the lineup, soaking up significant minutes and appearing on both sides of special teams.
He could be a major part of the Flyers’ future if he can sort out some of the on-ice issues that helped pave the way for his exit from his last two NHL stops. Right now, though, the Flyers are singularly focused on the present and making the playoffs in these final two games on their schedule.
Red Wings Recall Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
The Detroit Red Wings announced that they have recalled forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard from their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. The recall was made under emergency conditions.
Today’s recall comes just shortly after the Red Wings were officially eliminated from playoff contention following a 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils. Detroit has a two-game road trip down to Florida to conclude its 2025-26 season, and now Brandsegg-Nygard will be a part of that trip.
Brandsegg-Nygard, 20, last played in the NHL exactly one month ago, for the final contest of a three-game stint on the NHL roster. Brandsegg-Nygard’s last two games in the NHL coincidentally also came against the league’s two Florida teams, who are the Red Wings’ final two upcoming opponents.
A 2024 first-round pick of the Red Wings, Brandsegg-Nygard is the highest-drafted Norwegian player in NHL history, the first to ever be selected in the first round. He spent the year following his selection in the SHL, scoring 11 points in 40 games for Skellefteå before joining Grand Rapids late in the season. He scored three points in three playoff contests for the Griffins.
This season has been Brandsegg-Nygard’s first full campaign in North America. He’s had a strong year, scoring 20 goals and 44 points in 58 games for Grand Rapids. While he hasn’t yet been able to translate that production to the NHL level, he also hasn’t looked entirely out of place when the Red Wings have brought him up to the NHL.
Brandsegg-Nygard has a hard-working forward who plays an endearing style of hockey that is tailor-made for the North American pro ranks. With how well he’s played in the AHL, and how little he’ll need to change the foundation of his game to be able to at least survive at the NHL level, it’s not out of the question that he makes a push for a full-time NHL roster spot as soon as next fall.
These final two games on Detroit’s schedule could be valuable data points in helping the Red Wings plan for next season’s team – and whether they can count on Brandsegg-Nygard to be on it.
Avalanche’s Jared Bednar To Miss Two Games With Injury
The Colorado Avalanche will be without head coach Jared Bednar for their upcoming two-game road trip as Bednar recovers from facial fractures and a corneal abrasion, per a team announcement.
Bednar will not require surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. The 54-year-old was struck by a puck during yesterday’s contest against the Vegas Golden Knights. While he is away from the team, Avalanche assistant coaches Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol will handle Bednar’s coaching duties.
At this time of year, injury-related absences are par for the course. But that’s typically a fact of life late in an NHL season that’s restricted to players – it’s far more rare for a coach to miss time as the result of injuries suffered during a game. But that’s exactly what has happened, although thankfully for all parties involved, the team made it clear that they expect Bednar to make a full recovery.
Bednar is in the midst of another stellar campaign as Avalanche head coach. The Saskatchewan native has been Colorado’s head coach since 2016, and has been in his position longer than any other coach in the NHL, save for Tampa Bay Lightning bench boss Jon Cooper.
While his tenure in Colorado began with a disastrous 22-56-4 campaign, he has since helped turn the Avalanche into one of the league’s most consistently dominant teams.
He hasn’t missed the playoffs since his rookie season behind the bench, and has gone 442-262-75 as Avalanche head coach overall. He is the franchise’s all-time winningest head coach and won the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Jets Recall Brayden Yager, Nikita Chibrikov
The Winnipeg Jets announced that they have recalled forwards Brayden Yager and Nikita Chibrikov from their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. Per the team, these two moves are emergency recalls.
While the Jets have not been officially eliminated from playoff contention at this point, they are teetering on the brink of elimination. They’ll need to win their final three games – and get some help from other teams – to return to the playoffs.
Today’s recalls have added two of the Jets’ better prospects to their roster in the event that they rest some of their veterans or ailing players if they are eliminated from playoff contention. The moves also add some depth to the Jets’ forward corps, a group that recently lost Morgan Barron for the rest of the regular season.
Yager, 21, could get the chance to make his NHL debut within these (likely) last three games of the Jets’ season.
Originally a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Yager was acquired by the Jets in August 2024 after it became clear that top prospect Rutger McGroarty preferred to turn pro in a different organization.
In the first year of his professional career, Yager has made progress in his development. The Moose have had an up-and-down season as a whole, and have scored the second-fewest goals of any team in the AHL.
But Yager has nonetheless been able to successfully acclimate himself to the pro game in his time there. The former WHL Champion and CHL Sportsman of the Year has scored 10 goals and 30 points in 68 games for the Moose this season.
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler recently ranked Yager as the No. 2 prospect in the team’s system, calling him someone who “projects as a potential 3C/PP2/PK2 type.” That’s right in line with where he began the season, ranked No. 2 in the Jets’ system by the team at Elite Prospects, who also assigned him a middle-six projection.
Yager has two years remaining on his entry-level contract. While there aren’t many games left on the regular-season schedule, the Jets may be interested in seeing how Yager fares at the NHL level in order to get a clearer sense of whether they can plan for him to be on their NHL roster in 2026-27. The team’s current No. 4 center, Jonathan Toews, is a pending UFA, meaning that role could be open for Yager to seize in training camp in the fall.
The other player who was recalled, Chibrikov, does have some NHL experience unlike Yager. The 23-year-old Russian winger was a 2021 second-round pick and has played in 13 career NHL games, including eight this season.
Chibrikov built real momentum with his first season in North America, 2023-24. He scored 47 points in his first 70 AHL games and even nabbed his first NHL goal. But a season-ending knee injury cut his sophomore campaign short, and he’s since struggled to re-gain the form he once displayed.
In 53 games with the Moose this season, Chibrikov has just 16 points. While it’s been a season to forget for Chibrikov, this recall will give him the chance to at least try to end his campaign on the right note with some NHL experience. Chibrikov signed a two-year, one-way contract extension in October that carries an $875K AAV, and that deal is set to kick in this summer.
Photos courtesy of James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
Oilers Recall Isaac Howard
The Edmonton Oilers announced that forward Isaac Howard has been recalled from the team’s AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.
Howard has been in the AHL since January. He began the 2025-26 season in the NHL, but was sent to the AHL in the middle of November after scoring just three points in 17 games to start his campaign. It was likely that the Oilers were hoping Howard would build some confidence offensively at the AHL level, developing a better sense of how to score at the professional level against lighter competition.
Howard did exactly that, scoring six points in his first three AHL contests. He earned a recall in January, but his struggles to translate his offensive touch to the NHL level persisted. He hasn’t been back in the NHL for a few months, but he’s maintained his pace as a lethal AHL scorer. In total, he has 22 goals and 47 points in 45 games for the Condors.
The 2024-25 Hobey Baker winner was recently ranked the No. 1 prospect in the Oilers’ system by Scott Wheeler of The Athletic. Among all of the Oilers’ prospects, Howard is considered by most evaluators to stand the strongest chance of becoming a scoring forward at the NHL level.
While it’s unclear whether Howard will be able to hold down an NHL role for the Oilers’ upcoming playoff run, he will at least get a game or two before the end of the regular season to show Oilers brass how much he’s developed in his time in Bakersfield.