Page 15 - aruba-today-20240917

SPORTS Tuesday 17 sepTember 2024
A15

Sidney Crosby signs two-year extension with the Pittsburgh

Penguins that runs through 2026-27 season

By WILL GRAVES more wiggle room as the
AP Sports Writer NHL’s oldest team tries to
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney figure out a way to get
Crosby isn’t sure how much back into contention.
longer he’s going to play Pittsburgh has missed the
hockey. playoffs each of the last
He remains certain, howev- two seasons after mak-
er, where he wants to do it. ing it 16 consecutive years
The Pittsburgh Penguins star between 2007 and 2022.
signed a two-year contract Crosby said he received
extension on Monday that reassurances from Dubas
runs through the 2026-27 during the negotiating pro-
season. The deal, which cess that the club remains
carries an average annual committed to being com-
value of $8.7 million, would petitive while trying to build
keep Crosby in Pittsburgh a younger core around
until nearly his 40th birth- Crosby and longtime team-
day. The agreement came mates Evgeni Malkin (38)
on the eve of Crosby’s 20th and Kris Letang (37).
training camp with the “There’s still hunger from
Penguins, who took him the organization (and)
with the first overall pick in ownership to win and a
the 2005 draft. Crosby had Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game commitment,” Crosby said.
been eligible to sign an ex- against the New York Islanders, April 17, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. “From the time I’ve been
tension on July 1. While talks Associated Press here, that’s the case and
dragged on longer than number of years, it’s hard,” led the Penguins in goals bas said in a statement. “His that’s been there. That’s
expected, Crosby said last Crosby said. “Just making (42), assists (52) and points actions today show why he important.” Dubas said
week he was “pretty op- sure that it’s something that (94) last season, well clear is one of hockey’s greatest Crosby’s decision to stay
timistic” about something made sense for both myself of the rest of an under- winners and leaders. Sid is at $8.7 million a cap hit
getting done before the and the team.” achieving club that missed making a tremendous per- that ranks outside the top
season began. The 37-year-old Crosby, a the playoffs for a second sonal sacrifice in an effort 40 in the NHL despite hav-
Crosby indicated the hold- three-time Stanley Cup win- straight year. to help the Penguins win, ing perhaps the most ac-
up was merely his lack of ner and two-time league “Sidney is the greatest play- both now and in the future, complished resume of any
clarity on how much longer MVP, didn’t ask for a raise er of his generation and as he has done for his entire active player is symbolic
he intends to play. even though he remains one of the greatest players career.” of Crosby’s commitment to
“Trying to project how one of the most productive in the history of the game,” Crosby’s salary staying flat helping Pittsburgh rebuild
you’re going to feel in a players in the NHL. Crosby general manager Kyle Du- gives the Penguins a little on the fly.q

WNBA playoff seeds mostly still undecided as league enters final

week of season

By DOUG FEINBERG season, setting both the and at home to Atlanta on four seed. The two-time de- they’ll face Seattle. The
AP Basketball Writer WNBA single-season as- Thursday as well as Minne- fending champions could Aces have a one-game
NEW YORK (AP) — Caitlin sist record as well as the sota win its final two games move up to third with two lead on the Storm and the
Clark and the Indiana Fe- league’s rookie scoring re- for that to happen. wins and also two losses two teams play each other
ver have clinched the sixth cord. She broke the scor- Who the eventual No. 1 by Connecticut. Assum- on Tuesday in Seattle.q
seed in the WNBA playoffs. ing mark on Sunday when team plays is also still up in ing that doesn’t happen,
They won’t know where she had a season-high 35 the air. Chicago, Washing-
they’re headed for the points, passing Seimone ton and Atlanta all sit tied
opening round until at least Augustus’ 744 set in 2006. in eighth right now for the fi-
Tuesday as six of the other Clark has 761 points on the nal playoff spot. The Dream
seven postseason spots are season. stayed alive by beating the
still undecided. Diana Taur- The Sun trail the Minnesota Mystics in overtime Sunday.
asi and Phoenix are locked Lynx for the No. 2 seed by Chicago had a chance to
into the seventh seed. two games with two left. go a leg up on the other
The WNBA regular season The two teams play each two teams, but lost at home
comes down to the final other on Tuesday in Con- to Phoenix.
four days this week with all necticut. The Sun do own Chicago plays at Atlanta
12 teams playing Thursday the tiebreaker between on Tuesday with the winner
to close it out. The postsea- the two teams. having the upper hand for
son begins Sunday. Minnesota could still earn the final playoff spot. Wash-
The Fever most likely will be the top overall seed after ington hosts league-lead-
headed to Connecticut, Sunday’s win over New ing New York on Tuesday
which right now sits as the York. The Lynx trail the Lib- and Clark and the Fever
No. 3 seed. Clark’s WNBA erty by two games and on Thursday. Chicago vis- Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) poses after an WNBA
career got started against own the tiebreaker. New its Connecticut that same basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Sunday, Sept.
Connecticut back in May. York would have to lose night. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. Associated Press
Clark had an incredible at Washington on Tuesday Las Vegas is currently the