Sidney Crosby sings praises of Jets’ Bjorck, summer training partner Barron By: Ken Wiebe Posted: 5:06 PM CDT Monday, Oct. 5, 2026

PITTSBURGH — It wasn’t that long ago when the shoe was on the other foot for Sidney Crosby.

Although he’s now a cagey veteran in his 22nd NHL season, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins wasn’t about to send Viggo Bjorck empty-handed after receiving a request for a signed stick at the IIHF World Men’s Hockey Championship back in May.

“I had players I looked up to and I know how important that is,” Crosby said during a chat after his scrum following Monday’s morning skate at the Penguins practice facility. “I tend to get that a little bit more now than I used to. But I still appreciate it and I understand it.

“That’s one of the biggest compliments you can get as a player, to hear a young guy say that (you are his childhood hockey idol).”

As for what Crosby saw from Bjorck while suiting up for Sweden prior to the Jets making him the eighth overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, it’s safe to say he was impressed.

“That’s one of the biggest compliments you can get as a player, to hear a young guy say that (you are his childhood hockey idol).”

“He looked good. He just had a really mature game,” said Crosby. “For a young guy at the worlds, he was pretty diligent at both ends of the rink and took the defensive side as a point of emphasis for him.

“I thought he was solid.”

Bjorck was still looking for his first NHL point heading into Monday’s game against the Penguins, but he generated two glorious looks in the first two contests — a backdoor chance that was thwarted by the left pad of Jeremy Swayman in the season opener and a slippery move to the backhand that rattled off the post on Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings in the first period.

It’s evident Bjorck is earning the trust of the coaching staff as he’s been out on the ice protecting the lead late in each of the first two games, while also getting reps on the second power-play unit and the penalty kill.

There were a number of smart decisions made in all three zones by Bjorck in the early stage of the season and he’s looking more comfortable each and every day as he adapts during his first year playing in North America.

“For him, every night is new,” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel. “It’s like going to see the opening of a brand new movie.”

Crosby spends his summers back in Nova Scotia and one of the guys he trains with is Jets forward Morgan Barron, who has grown into an NHL regular and has spread his wings after joining the organization in the deadline deal for Andrew Copp back in 2022.

“Just to see how he works on a daily basis in the off-season and to see him continue to get better and better, a lot of that comes back to his work ethic,” said Crosby. “Experience goes a long way, too, with the more opportunity that you get and he’s been getting that the last couple of years, which is big.

“But he’s earned it. He’s a big, strong, fast guy who can play different roles and obviously he’s a great person off the ice. I’m happy to see him doing well.”

“He’s a big, strong, fast guy who can play different roles and obviously he’s a great person off the ice.”

Crosby also got to know Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey. The two were teammates with Team Canada at the 2026 Olympics and the 4 Nations Face-Off and the Penguins captain appreciates his ability to impact the game in so many different ways and how he handled the disappointment of not being available for several games due to illness and injury.

“His game matches his personality,” said Crosby. “He’s really steady and when games get hectic, he can make the poised play. Or if you need a big goal, he’s able to step up and make a big play. He’s got a lot of passion and he cares a lot and anytime you have guys like that, it’s just contagious. He’s an even-keeled guy and I feel like in those big tournaments, he plays the same way, regardless of the situation. It was difficult with his circumstances in both cases and I can relate to the second one, obviously.

“I just have so much respect for how he handled things and just the person he is. Every day, he comes to work and he’s got a great attitude. He’s really positive. In a short tournament like that, having that mentality goes a long way. When you have it with a guy that’s on a team year-round, I’m sure his presence is felt.”

“Every day, he comes to work and he’s got a great attitude.”

Penguins head coach Dan Muse took a moment on Monday to discuss what it was like to have Stuart Skinner be part of the group last season after arriving in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers.

“He’s one of those guys that when you see him for the first time, your day just got a little bit better,” said Muse. “He always has a smile on his face. (Exhibits) great preparation. He’s a guy that everybody appreciates having the opportunity to be around him.

“A great human being, a great hockey player, a great competitor.”

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