The Athletic reported that Sidney Crosby “definitely want(s) to keep playing for as many years as possible.”

But Crosby’s contract extensions, he says, will be structured to give the Penguins salary-cap options: “It just makes sense, whether it’s our cap, who we have coming in and out, just to have that flexibility.” (Crosby has one more season left on his current deal.)

Crosby isn’t just talking about his long-term future.

Crosby is discussing the Penguins’ long-term future, at least within the context of his career’s remainder.

The two run parallel. As always.

At 38, Crosby is in the physical condition to keep going indefinitely. He never stops.

Comparisons to Tom Brady are only partly valid.

Crosby’s style of hockey is more demanding and punishing than Brady’s brand of football.

There’s a definite comparison in terms of prolonged excellence.

But ring-chasing is where the comparison stops.

Brady took his legacy a step beyond by moving from New England to Tampa Bay and winning a seventh Super Bowl.

But Brady’s biggest accomplishments came with his original team. You’re supposed to win where you’re at.

Crosby has three Stanley Cups and six international gold medals. He doesn’t need further validation beyond being a career Penguin. That’s always been his plan.

Other teams might need Crosby to win. For their validation.

That’s their problem.

That’s the hockey media’s problem, especially north of the border. They get intense, don’t they?

Every time it makes sense to the usual suspects, Crosby’s path out of Pittsburgh is plotted. Usually to Montreal, because the Canadiens are on the verge and were Crosby’s favorite team when he was a kid.

But the Penguins are Crosby’s favorite team now.

The strength of the Penguins’ brand bothers Original Six junkies. Especially with Toronto not winning a Cup since 1967, Montreal since 1993, no Canadian team since ‘93, no Original Six team since 2015.

All Crosby will ever be is a Penguin and a Canadian. (That’s “-an,” not “-en.”)

So, it would be nice if the hockey media ditched its wishful thinking and shut the heck up.

Crosby has spoken. Again. And said the same thing.

At long last, please listen.

Crosby started his NHL career in Pittsburgh. That’s where it will finish.