According to Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero, Sidney Crosby is still experiencing symptoms relating to the season-ending concussion he suffered in early January of this year. Those symptoms, however, have not been enough to derail Crosby’s offseason training.
↵The Pittsburgh Tribune Review’s Rob Rossi got in touch with Shero last night following the emergence of anonymously sourced reports on Twitter that Crosby would not only not be ready for the start of training camp, but also wouldn’t be ready in time for the Penguins’ regular season opener at Vancouver on Oct. 6.
↵The allegations in question, which were posted on the Twitter page of Josh Rimer, a producer for NHL Home Ice on Sirius XM Radio, read:
↵↵↵Also hearing from 3 sources now that Sidney Crosby won’t b ready 2 start season. I hope its not true because the NHL needs its best players!
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When asked by Rossi, Shero acknowledged that Crosby is still struggling with some symptoms relating to post-concussion syndrome.
↵↵↵“There are going to be some symptoms with this injury, but nothing where he’s had to shut it down or anything,” Shero said, noting that he was in contact with Crosby over the weekend. “He’s pushed himself, which is good.”
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Shero added that Crosby has not yet been cleared by doctors to play in the NHL, though the Penguins have not yet pushed for that medical clearance.
↵↵↵“There’s never been a situation where he’s needed to be cleared to play,” Shero said.
↵Crosby remains cleared to train regularly, except for contact, and he has engaged in workouts at various rinks near his offseason home in Halifax, Nova Scotia, since mid-July.
↵He will not be “pushed” to join the Penguins for on-ice practices at the start of camp or even when the regular season opens at Vancouver on Oct. 6, Shero said.
↵“I’m only interested in making sure he’s comfortable when he returns to play, end of story,” Shero said. “I’m about the bigger picture with this thing.”
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Though the news can’t be viewed as good in any light, it’s great to see that the Penguins have a proper set of priorities in mind while allowing Crosby to get back to full health.
↵Whether he needs to miss one game or 100, the Penguins must be patient and ensure that their superstar center is at full health before even considering allowing him to go back on the ice.