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Report: Crosby’s agent talking to teams in Russia, Switzerland

Pittsburgh Penguins v Philadelphia Flyers - Game Six

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 22: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates toward his bench late in the third period with his team losing 5-1 to the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 22, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Flyers won the game 5-1 to eliminate the Penguins from the playoffs. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

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It appears Sidney Crosby is closer to playing overseas than ever.

“You know what? It’s a lot more possible right now,” Crosby told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday. “I probably hadn’t thought about it quite as much as I have the past few days.

“It’s definitely been something -- with the way things are looking now [with CBA talks], it’s not looking too good.”

According to the Gazette, Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, has been in discussion with teams in the KHL and Switzerland’s National League “A”.

Both have ties to No. 87 -- Crosby’s running mate in Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin, currently plays for KHL Metallurg while former Penguins Jason Williams and Richard Park are skating with Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss League.

The biggest issue with Crosby playing in Europe is insuring the 12-year, $104.4 million extension signed with Pittsburgh at the end of June. Insurance issues be why the Pens captain has held off on jumping the pond -- playing a portion of the season rather than the whole campaign would greatly reduce costs.

Here’s more, from the Gazette:

Brisson could not be reached for comment, but this fall projected that insuring Crosby’s contracts with the Penguins -- before the lockout, they were scheduled to pay him $111.9 million over 13 seasons -- could cost between $200,000 and $400,000, a fee that likely would be borne by the European club that lands him.

Presumably, that insurance would be pro-rated to reflect Crosby playing less than a full season.

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