The hosts of TSN’s OverDrive recently debated a hypothetical trade that would send Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for 19-year-old prospect Ivan Demidov. This discussion followed comments made by Crosby that he was a fan of the Canadiens growing up, and during an interview with Pierre LeBrun, he admitted it was nice knowing a team like that wants you.
“And I get it why that would come up and that sort of thing (speculation). It doesn’t make it any easier when you’re losing to hear those things. But at the same time, to know that a team like that wants you, it’s not the end of the world. It could be worse (he smiled). Yeah, I think that’s just part of it.”
source – ‘Sidney Crosby on Penguins future, Canadiens speculation, more: ‘That’s the hard part about losing’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 09-09-2025
There has been no imminent trade chatter linking Crosby to the Canadiens. Let’s get that out of the way. However, if Crosby ever decides it’s time to move on from the Penguins, it sounds like the Canadiens would be high on his list. But what does a trade look like?
Fans Say No To Demidov For Crosby
Bryan Hayes raised the question on air, asking whether the co-hosts would move Demidov for Crosby. Jeff O’Neill didn’t hesitate, saying “of course,” arguing that even two years of Crosby’s elite-level play makes that deal worth it for the Canadiens. He was alone in that thinking.
Jamie McLennan disagreed. While praising Crosby as a “Mount Rushmore player,” he questioned whether Montreal is truly close enough to contending for the deal to make sense in the short term. He argued that while no one knows what Demidov is yet, he’s got too much potential to sacrifice him for an aging Crosby on his way out of the NHL.
If the Canadiens were further along in their window to compete, things might be different. As it stands, Demidov is too high a price to pay.
If Demidov is out, that likely rules out any consideration the Habs would move Lane Hutson, who O’Neill suggested the Penguins might ask for.
Related: Crosby to Canadiens, Kaprizov Ignores McDavid & More NHL Rumors
Fans largely rejected the idea on social media. Many argued that Demidov, a projected future superstar, is untouchable. One wrote, “Do not trade Demidov under any circumstances.” Another argued that trading away young prospects, regardless of how much…
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