Sidney Crosby's new Penguins contract not insured against career-ending injury

The Penguins are not insured against a career-ending, concussion-related injury in Sidney Crosby's new contract. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Sidney Crosby's new 12-year mega-contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins does not insure the team against a career-ending injury related to concussions, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Rossi reported Friday night. From the report:

Insurance companies offer teams protection against career-ending injuries, but Crosby’s concussion history is considered a pre-existing condition. If Crosby cannot finish his contract because of a concussion-related injury, he will still be paid in full, but the Penguins would not receive assistance from an insurance policy on the deal, sources said.

This is important because Crosby has only played in 63 games the last two seasons because of concussion-related ailments. His 12-year, $104.4 million deal is all guaranteed. Rossi notes that under the current collective bargaining agreement, a team can place a player on the long-term injury list to free up salary cap space. But the current CBA is set to expire in September.

Penguins general manager Ray Shero wouldn't discuss the insurance issues with the contract, but he told Rossi that he felt confident in the contract.

“This is an important summer for (Crosby),” Shero said. “We feel confident with where he is. We believe his best days are going to be ahead.”