Is Sidney Crosby the biggest bargain since this former Detroit Red Wings superstar?

The key difference lies in choice. Crosby willingly took less money to stay with the Pittsburgh Penguins, aiming to provide the team with cap flexibility to build a competitive roster. His $8.7 million cap hit, especially after a 94-point season at age 36, makes him one of the biggest bargains in the salary cap era. If he'd tested free agency, teams would have lined up with massive offers. Crosby's decision reflects his selfless commitment to team success.

Gordie Howe's underpayment, however, was a product of exploitation. During the 1950s and 1960s, without a strong players' union, Howe and others had little bargaining power. The Detroit Red Wings underpaid Howe despite his status as the league's top player, capitalizing on a system that denied players fair compensation. Unlike Crosby, Howe didn't have the choice to demand his true value.

Both Crosby and Howe sacrificed financially but for different reasons. Crosby's self-sacrifice is a personal decision for team success, while Howe's was an unfortunate consequence of his era's exploitative system. Their experiences highlight the evolving landscape of player compensation in the NHL.

Source: The Hockey News
Sidney Crosby Is The NHL's Biggest Steal Since Gordie Howe