Breaking Down Sidney Crosby's Contract Extension...Worth the $$$??

Earlier this summer, the Penguins made a move that was expected, yet surprised many people, as they gave their superstar center, Sidney Crosby, a contract extension that will keep him in Pittsburgh until the 2025 season.  That is a long time for a hockey player.  The deal adds up to 104.4 Million, spanning out over 12 years that will average out to 8.7 Million a year (8.7 = #87....get it?!).  People in Pittsburgh are glad that their star center and captain is going to stay in the 'Burgh, but alot are wondering if this deal was given a little too early.  As everyone knows, Crosby is coming off of a horrendous stretch of bad luck with concussions and a neck injury that kept him out of competitive play for over one year.  Alot of "talking heads" said that the deal was done too early, and that the Pens should have waited until the end of this season to see how he responds after coming back from his injury.  To those people who question this...I would just like to make it known that I have NO PROBLEM with this contract whatsoever, and I'll tell you why:

#1 - Sidney showed that the every day hits aren't going to cause reoccurring problems as he made it through the end of the season / playoffs without any setbacks. Barring any unforeseen accidents or huge collisions (like the Steckle hit during the Winter Classic), I feel Sid will be fine.

#2 - This is the first offseason in 2 years that Sid will be able to train the way he is accustomed to.  Sid was quoted by saying last summer there were times that his concussion symptoms were so bad he couldn't even be in a room with a TV on, but had to be in pitch black darkness.  This offseason he will be training, working out, and preparing for the upcoming season, and not just to be able to skate without headaches again.

#3 - Are we forgetting what kind of tear this man was on before that dreadful hit during the Winter Classic?  He was on his way to setting team records and possibly on his way to winning the scoring title for the NHL.  That season ended early for him (he played about half of that season), and I still think at the end of the season he was in the top 4 of scoring on the Penguins roster. 

#4 - Sid is one of the few athletes that seems to show the determination to constantly get better.  He has openly said he wasn't happy with how things went down at the end of last season and in the playoffs.  You better believe he is going to have something to prove. 

All these reasons and much more make me think that if everything stays calm for Sid this offseason, he will be back and better than ever for this upcoming NHL season.  I, for one, and extremely excited for October to roll around and hockey season to return.  I think this Penguins team can win a cup if they stay healthy and improve their defense.  Only time will tell, but I think Sidney Crosby is worth every single penny of the 104.4 Million the Penguins gave him this June.