After Set Backs In Recovery, Crosby And The Penguins Are Putting The Pieces Back Together

Added on May 03, 2011 by John Petit in

NHL

It was a few months ago when a video “leaked out” of Sidney Crosby skating in no contact drills doing some stick handling, and quick shots. The video excited all of Pittsburgh Penguin nation as it really looked like Sid The Kid would be able to lace up his skates for the playoffs, and help them make another run for the cup. We know now that didn’t happen, but what happened to Crosby since the video was shot? Crosby is finally coming clean and saying he was feeling fine, but has had a set back in recovery.

Crosby hasn’t played with his team since January 5^th. He ended up missing the last 48 games of the season including his teams series against the Tampa Bay Lightning that went all seven games, but the injury plagued Penguins came up short. Evengi Malkin and Jordan Staal also missed close to a majority of the season. The Penguins showed a lot of mettle to get this far with out Malkin, Staal, and at the time the leader in goals (by far) Crosby.

Crosby said “I started trying to ramp things up a bit as far as working out and skating, and I got a little bit of symptoms. So, I had to take a step back. The progression had gone pretty well, but at the same time, I still wasn’t ready…I feel like, from where I was a couple months ago, things were a lot better. Just being able to skate was encouraging. Hopefully, the next step doesn’t have any hurdles and I can get ready for next season as usual.” That is what makes a little of the bitterness of being knocked out go away. With training camp months away, Crosby will have the time to just focus on his health and getting better. Malkin and Staal as well.

General Manager Ray Shero said the Penguins showed the world what they are made of. Making it as far as they did with all the holes was the effort of hard work in his eyes. Shero said “The way we’re built has been down the middle, and it’s been that way since I got here. And when you’ve got Staal, Crosby and Malkin that all only play half a season, other guys had to step up. That says a lot about the team. It made for a story, and these guys were a story every night.”

As far as Crosby is concerned, Shero said now that time is on their side a huge burden has been lifted. Shero said that’s the good news, Sid can focus on himself, “The great news is that he’s got all kinds of time on his side right now. Dr. (Micky) Collins expects a full recovery, it’s just a matter of time with this injury. I’m not concerned about it. With the season ending, it’s disappointing, but from Sid’s standpoint, the pressure and the question of when he’ll come back goes away, and now he can go back to healing and feeling good about himself.”

The Penguins will also be welcoming back Matt Cooke who was suspended twice this year, including missing the last 17 games including the post season. Without Cooke, the Penguins penalty killing was a train wreck, as to compare it with him. There was no question Cooke was the best penalty killer on the team, but I did not thing the hole without him would be that large.

We can only speculate as to what they will do in the future, but the Penguins General manager himself has been a proponent of putting in strict head shots rules. To say the least, Cooke has become known for these types of hits, and his disciplinary file speaks for itself. Some think Cooke will be let go because of his reputation, but as of right now it seems like there will be no such separation. Shero said “Cooke is a valuable player for us. And, we look forward to having him back and as a productive player for our hockey team.”

Cooke said himself that he feels the game of hockey has evolved without him, and he now realizes he is a liability when he is playing the way he was. He also said he took the time away to seek help knowing it will all be for the greater cause of playing better for, and with, his team. Cooke said “I worked on some things I needed some help with. I’ve been able to have a chance to work with some great people outside of hockey. And, I will continue to do so. Everyone knows the game has changed the last 15 years, and I want to come back and provide for this team and help this team win, and keep my word and do the things I said I would do.”