Now that top-drawer stars such as Jarome Iginla and Joe Thornton have
been signed to market-setting, long-term deals, expect the Pittsburgh
Penguins to skate down the same path with their phenom, Sidney Crosby.

Thornton signed a three-year, $21.6-million (all currency U.S.)
extension with the San Jose Sharks on Sunday, while Iginla was locked
up at $35-million for five years yesterday. Crosby's agent, Pat
Brisson, confirmed yesterday that he has engaged in preliminary
discussions for his client with Penguins general manager Ray Shero.

"Ray Shero and I have started to discuss a potential contract
extension for Sidney," Brisson said. "We should continue to discuss
this either later this week or at the beginning of next week."

Next season, Crosby will enter the final year of his entry-level
contract, which will pay him a base salary of $2.55-million. He could
earn an additional $1.15-million in performance bonuses.

The two sides have yet to zero in on the length and the money, but
it's not difficult to see where Crosby, who will be 20 on Aug. 7, will
fit in the National Hockey League's pecking order.

He should be able to trump Thornton and Iginla, but it should be noted
that Crosby isn't greedy. He heard the message from Thornton and
Iginla loud and clear when they signed this week: If winning is
important and you're comfortable with your situation, take less in
order to give your general manager a better chance to build a winning
team around you.

The Penguins have a young, talented threesome in Crosby, defenceman
Ryan Whitney and goalie Marc-André Fleury. Whitney, 24, signed a
six-year, $24-million pact last Sunday to keep himself from becoming a
restricted free agent, and Fleury, 22, is entering the final year on a
contract that will pay him $1.6-million in 2007-08.

To keep the trio together, Crosby will likely seek a long-term deal
between five and eight seasons worth around $8-million a season.