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Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby gets emotional during 2016 team tribute
Crosby shed tears watching a video honoring the Penguins' 2016 Stanley Cup championship team.
Jan. 31, 2026 at 7:39pm
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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 before a game against the New York Rangers. Crosby, who led the Penguins to back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017, was seen wiping away tears as the video played, recalling key moments from the team's playoff run. Many of Crosby's former teammates from that era have moved on to other roles in the NHL, but the memories of their championship success remain strong for the Penguins' longtime leader.
Why it matters
Crosby's emotional reaction highlights the lasting impact of the Penguins' 2016 championship team and the special bond the players shared. As one of the greatest players of his generation, Crosby's ability to be vulnerable and sentimental about his past successes resonates with fans and speaks to the fleeting nature of championship windows in professional sports.
The details
The tribute video shown before Saturday's game against the Rangers featured highlights from the Penguins' 2016 playoff run, including Nick Bonino's overtime winner in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Bryan Rust's go-ahead goal in Game 7 of the conference finals against Tampa Bay, and Kris Letang's Cup-clinching goal in Game 6 against San Jose. Crosby was seen standing near center ice with Letang and Evgeni Malkin, surrounded by many familiar faces from that championship team.
- The tribute video was shown before the Penguins' 6-5 win over the New York Rangers on February 1, 2026.
The players
Sidney Crosby
The 38-year-old captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who led the team to Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017.
Kris Letang
A defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins who scored the Cup-clinching goal in Game 6 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals.
Evgeni Malkin
A longtime teammate of Crosby's and a key member of the Penguins' 2016 and 2017 championship teams.
Nick Bonino
A former Penguins forward who scored the overtime winner in Game 6 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals.
Bryan Rust
A Penguins forward who scored the go-ahead goal in Game 7 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals.
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 (apnews.com)
The takeaway
Crosby's emotional reaction to the tribute video highlights the lasting impact of the Penguins' 2016 championship team and the special bond the players shared. As one of the greatest players of his generation, Crosby's vulnerability speaks to the fleeting nature of championship windows in professional sports and the importance of savoring those rare moments of glory.
