It is more of a parlor game at this point than a reality-based situation. Real-life check-ins with a couple of top NHL general managers by Bleacher Report on Thursday regarding the question of "Is Sidney Crosby available in a trade right now?" yielded the following nutshell answers: "Not that I've heard, no."
Here's the barstool question of the moment in some hockey circles, however: Would the best thing for both parties be for Crosby to leave the Pittsburgh Penguins via trade?
Think it's impossible? Hey, Wayne Gretzky was traded once.
First off, here are a couple of great reasons why Crosby is not believed to be on the block, despite the slowest start to a season in his career (six goals, 13 assists in 30 games) and a disappointing last few years of playoff showings by the team:
• "The Pittsburgh Penguins are for sale, and I don't see how trading Sidney Crosby right now would enhance franchise value," NBC hockey analyst Pierre McGuire told Bleacher Report.