Sidney Crosby is 38 years old.
Born on August 7, 1987, in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, he’s spent over half his life under the relentless microscope of professional hockey. Most players at this age are either scouting for their next broadcasting gig or nursing old knee injuries on a golf course. Not Sid. He’s currently navigating the 2025-26 NHL season with the kind of production that makes you double-check his birth certificate.
Honestly, the "Sid the Kid" nickname feels like a lifetime ago, yet here he is, still leading the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sidney Crosby: How Old Does He Have to Be Before He Slows Down?
If you’re looking for the short answer to sidney crosby how old, he’s 38. But in hockey years, specifically for a center who plays a 200-foot game, that’s ancient. Or it should be.
Usually, when a player hits the late thirties, their skating edge disappears. Their hands get a little slower. But Crosby recently notched his 1,724th career point, passing the legendary Mario Lemieux for the most in Penguins history. It took him longer than Mario—longevity is a different kind of beast—but the fact that he's still scoring at a point-per-game pace at 38 is borderline ridiculous.
Most people get it wrong when they assume he’s just "hanging on." Through the first 25 games of this current 2025-26 season, he’s already put up nearly 30 points. That’s not a legacy act. That’s a top-line center dragging a rebuilding team toward the postseason.
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The contract situation
In September 2024, Crosby signed a two-year extension. That deal keeps him in a Penguins sweater through the 2026-27 season. By the time that contract wraps up, he’ll be 39, pushing 40.
He didn't even ask for a raise. He kept his iconic $8.7 million cap hit—a nod to his birthday (8/7)—because he wanted the team to have "wiggle room" to get younger around him. It’s a move that defines his career: obsessed with winning, indifferent to being the highest-paid guy in the room.
Why 38 is the New 28 for #87
What keeps him going? It's not just genetics.
Crosby’s offseason training is the stuff of legend. He spends his summers in Nova Scotia with guys like Nathan MacKinnon and Brad Marchand, pushing a pace that younger prospects can't even touch. It’s a lifestyle. He’s not just "playing" hockey; he’s essentially a scientist of the sport.
- Skating Mechanics: He’s transitioned from pure speed to using his legendary "lower body strength" to protect the puck in the corners.
- Adaptability: When the league got faster, he got smarter. He knows where the puck is going before the 20-year-old defensemen across from him do.
- Health: Aside from the scary concussion years around 2011, he’s been remarkably durable in this final stretch of his career.
People often compare him to Alex Ovechkin. While Ovi is chasing Gretzky’s goal record, Sid is chasing efficiency. He wants to be the most complete player on the ice, even if he’s the oldest.
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The Retirement Question (and Trade Rumors)
Every time the Penguins hit a losing streak, the rumors start. "Is it time to trade Sid?" "Will he retire early?"
Just recently, in early 2026, trade rumors started swirling again as the deadline approached. Insiders like Nick Kypreos have been adamant: Sidney Crosby is not going anywhere. He has a full no-movement clause and has gone on record saying he wants to finish what he started in Pittsburgh.
He’s seen guys like Steven Stamkos leave Tampa Bay and it clearly had an impact. Sid wants the one-team legacy. He wants to be the Steve Yzerman or Nicklas Lidstrom of the Penguins.
As for retirement? He hasn't given a firm date. He’s said it’s "hard to project" how he’ll feel in a few years. But as long as he’s healthy and the Penguins are showing "hunger" to win—something he says he discussed at length with GM Kyle Dubas—he’s staying put.
What’s Next for Sid the Kid?
At 38, the milestones are coming fast. He’s already passed Lemieux in points. Next up is climbing further into the top 10 all-time NHL scoring list, where names like Marcel Dionne are within reach this season.
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Off the ice, he's started diversifying. He’s heavily involved in business now, specifically with Swiss watchmaker Norqain. It’s a hint at what life might look like after the NHL, though insiders say he has zero interest in coaching. He’d much rather be a General Manager or even part of an ownership group, similar to what Mario did.
But for now? He's still the captain.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors:
- Watch the 2026 Trade Deadline: While a trade is unlikely, the Penguins' moves will tell you if they are building for one last run with Sid or moving into a full-scale rebuild.
- Track the Points: Crosby is currently 10th all-time in points. Each game is literally history in the making.
- Appreciate the Longevity: Don't wait for the retirement announcement to appreciate the work. We are watching the tail end of a top-5 all-time career.
If you’re keeping track of the record books, keep an eye on his power-play production this month; he’s currently leading the team in man-advantage goals, showing that even at 38, his vision is as sharp as it was in 2005.