Penguins Captain Crosby Emotional Over 2016 Cup Team Reunion

Crosby shed tears during tribute to Penguins' 2016 championship squad, but is optimistic about the current team's chances.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 7:47pm

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Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was overcome with emotion during a tribute to the team's 2016 Stanley Cup championship squad, as memories of that title run came flooding back. Crosby, along with former teammates Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin, were honored before the Penguins' 6-5 win over the New York Rangers. While the 2016 team has moved on, Crosby is encouraged by the current Penguins squad, which has surged into second place in the Metropolitan Division.

Why it matters

The 2016 Penguins team cemented Crosby's status as one of the greatest players of his generation, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups. The emotional tribute highlights how fleeting that level of success can be in the NHL, even for a perennial powerhouse like the Penguins. Crosby's reaction shows the deep connection he still feels to that championship team, while his optimism about the current squad suggests the Penguins may be poised for another deep playoff run.

The details

During the tribute, Crosby watched highlights of the 2016 Penguins' playoff run, including Nick Bonino's overtime winner against Washington and Kris Letang's Cup-clinching goal against San Jose. Surrounded by former teammates like Bonino, Trevor Daley, and Marc-Andre Fleury, Crosby couldn't hold back his emotions. The 2016 and 2017 Penguins teams cemented Crosby's legacy, but the team has struggled to replicate that success in recent years, failing to win a playoff series since 2018. However, the current Penguins squad has surged into second place in the Metropolitan Division, with contributions coming from up and down the lineup.

  • The Penguins honored the 2016 championship team before their 6-5 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday, February 1, 2026.
  • Crosby recently surpassed franchise icon Mario Lemieux as the Penguins' all-time scoring leader.

The players

Sidney Crosby

The 38-year-old captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who is considered one of the greatest players of his generation after leading the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017.

Kris Letang

A defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins who was part of the 2016 championship team and scored the Cup-clinching goal in Game 6 against the San Jose Sharks.

Evgeni Malkin

A longtime center for the Pittsburgh Penguins who was also a key member of the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup-winning teams.

Nick Bonino

A former Penguins forward who scored the overtime winner in Game 6 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals against the Washington Capitals, and is now on the coaching staff of the current Penguins team.

Marc-Andre Fleury

The longtime Penguins goaltender who was part of the 2016 and 2017 championship teams before being traded, and has recently retired from the NHL.

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What they’re saying

“I love the experiences and the memories that I have. That's how it comes out. You don't see those moments all the time. It's not like I watch those on YouTube. So when you see them, they tend to hit you a little harder the older you get.”

— Sidney Crosby (whec.com)

“Every time you go to the Stanley Cup finals, especially for the teams that win, the stories that you have, the camaraderie, you know you bled for each other throughout that year. So I'm sure it's really cool for these guys to get back together and it's really cool that I'm in the same dressing room as some of the Stanley Cup champions.”

— Stuart Skinner, Penguins goaltender (whec.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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