NHL lockout: Sidney Crosby, Penguins looking forward to time off for holidays

The NHL's players are having a new experience this year, mostly one that they would rather not see again for the rest of their careers. However, they do have the benefit of being home for the holidays, something that Sidney Crosby is very excited to experience, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Crosby hasn't had time off like this, but he's not complaining:

"I don't even remember [having such a break at this time of year]," he said Tuesday. "Even in minor hockey, we always had a hockey tournament over Christmas, so this is definitely new territory.

With the NHL lockout is full swing and no signs of it ending anytime soon, the players will certainly be able to be with their families through the new year and perhaps even longer. Crosby would certainly love to be back on the ice earning paychecks with his teammates, but he's also happy to be around his loved ones:

"Being home for that long over the holidays, I might put on a few pounds," he said, failing to suppress a smile. "I'm going to have to make sure I stay in shape."

Unlike many players who have begun playing elsewhere, mostly Europe, Crosby isn't doing much of anything in the way of hockey sans a pick-up game every now and again.