Sidney Crosby is still on track to be a lifelong Pittsburgh Penguin.
The contract paramaters to make it happen, however, are still being worked out, he told Michael Traikos of The Hockey News on Tuesday at the NHL Player Media Tour.
"It's just a little bit more difficult at my age trying to project," Crosby said, adding that agent Pat Brisson and Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas have had discussions about an extension.
"I'd like to continue playing for a number of years, but I just don't know what that number is."
The 39-year-old Crosby's contract, which carries an $8.7-million cap hit, matching his iconic jersey number, is set to expire after this season, which could lead to mid-season trade speculation if Pittsburgh's season goes sideways and he doesn't sign an extension.
Crosby is entering his 22nd NHL season since being picked first overall in the 2005 draft as well as his 21st alongside fellow Penguins stars Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, a record for North American pro sports.
Pittsburgh returned to the playoffs last season after three seasons of not qualifying but lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in Round 1.
Crosby, of Cole Harbour, N.S., showed little slippage, posting 29 goals and 45 assists in 68 games while missing time due to an injury suffered at the Olympics. He added five points (one goal, four assists) in six post-season contests.
Led by Crosby, the Penguins have captured three Stanley Cup titles, with their most recent in 2017.
In addition to silver at the Milan Olympics in February, Crosby led Canada to gold at the 2010 and 2014 Games alongside newly hired Edmonton Oilers coach Mike Babcock.
Crosby praised Babcock as "really organized" on Tuesday.
"Really good bench management when it comes to matching lines … just a feel for the game. He was really good at painting a clear picture on how he wanted us to play and what guys' jobs were," he said, per Traikos.
