Renegades Shopping Crosby?

The Raleigh Chronicle
(AP)
Rumor has it that the Carolina Renegades are in discussion to move one of their star players, their Captain Sidney Crosby has been linked to these rumors. Sidney Crosby, the youngest captain in the NHA, is known throughout the league, as the best player in the league by far. But why, would a team like the Renegades, who finished 4th in the Howe Conference standings, trade away the best player in the game? Well, do to the transaction of veteran Markus Naslund last season, and the signing of Chris Drury to a long term contract, has the Renegades budget very close to the leagues salary cap, and Sidney Crosby also happens to be an RFA.
When we asked the Renegades GM Jordan Levine, he didn’t deny or confirm any trade rumors, but he did have this to say regarding Crosby: “We have talked with Crosby’s agent, and we have been informed that Crosby wants a 7M plus salary. Of course a player of Crosby’s skill deserves such a contract, but we don’t have the cap space right now. Which means something has to happen by next season, wither it’s Crosby, or someone else, a transaction will have to be made to satisfy the budget.”
There have been reports that many teams have inquired about Sidney Crosby, the front runners are rumored to be the Chicago Hitman, Tampa Bay Admirals and the Columbus Chiefs. There is also reports that what ever transaction the Renegades make, will be done by Friday July 11th, though no press conference has been announced as of this article.
Free Agency is also right around the corner, there are many good UFA’s on the market, but there have not been many rumors regarding the Renegades on who they might go after. GM Jordan Levine had some comments about the upcoming free agent bidding: “Well, right now, our number one priority is making sure our budget is in position to satisfy our current players before we sign anyone new. I will say, that based on the fact that we currently only have four defenders signed for the 2008-09 season, if we make any free agent signings, it will most likely be with Defense.
In other news, the teams head coach last season, Tom Renney, is expected to return as the head coach for the 08-09 season, despite the teams early upset in the first round of last years playoffs. “My team is filled with veterans, and Renney has worked with them for awhile, he knows how to get the most out of them, and is a valued coach throughout the league. We’ve already made some major changes to this team, and there is bound to be a few more, so keeping Renney is futile in order to insure stability in our organization.” GM Jordan Levine had to say when asked about Renney.
Whatever the Renegades do this off season, after a great ride last season, expect Renegades fans to have a lot to cheer for next season as the Renegades hunt for the Cup.