On Wednesday, former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matthew Barnaby dropped a bombshell on Sirius XM Radio:

“The more and more I looked into it, the more I found out, people with the same sentiments that there’s a big falling out between Mario (Lemieux) and (Sidney) Crosby. Now whether that pushes them to move him at some point? Whether he wants to move? That I don’t know.”

Barnaby went on to say that the rift is over “coaching” and “maybe the personnel” on the Penguins.

Mario Lemieux said, through the Penguins’ Twitter feed, that the claim was “not true” and “silly.”

Sidney Crosby was given his chance to refute the claim after the Penguins’ win over the St. Louis Blues, and he took it:

"I honestly don’t even know what to say to that. If people are going to make stuff up, it’s totally out of my control. I feel stupid even commenting on it, to be honest with you.

“That’s ridiculous. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence when you’re struggling and the points aren’t coming that something like that comes up, but in my experience that’s usually the case. So I’m just going to worry about playing.”

A reporter pointed out that Crosby attended Lemieux’s birthday part last summer. “I was, yeah,” said Crosby. “To even go there, I don’t really see it. It’s unfortunate that someone feels like they need to do that.”

Barnaby, meanwhile, stood by his story in a series of tweets:

I wish nothing but the best but when "Multiple " sources tell u something it's my job to say it. Carry on and happy Turkey pre game — Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) November 26, 2015

In a separate story Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are just working together. Both reps deny — Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) November 26, 2015

BTW don't take anything as an apology or backing down. Not a chance. I stand by every word. — Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) November 26, 2015

No need to drag Gavin Rossdale into this, sir...

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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.



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