Sidney Crosby returns…at some point…maybe
"You wanna get in there Sid?" "Mmmmm, nope..."
Sidney Crosby has not skated in a game since January 5, 2011 when he was diagnosed with a concussion that was affecting the part of his brain that controls his balance and ability to stand upright. Pittsburgh quickly put “The Kid” on the shelf and vowed not to bring him off until he was back to 100%. At the time, the thought was he would be ready for the playoffs, but Crosby stopped practicing during the Pens first round playoff-loss to Tampa Bay after his concussion symptoms came back. That pushed his probable return to the beginning of this season, but the Penguins again pushed as they opened the season without their star and captain. Recently, Crosby has been cleared to skate and practice with his team, up to and including “light” contact, but there was still no definitive timetable for his return. Yesterday, Sidney Crosby did not rule himself out for an upcoming game this Friday at home against the Dallas Stars. He didn’t really rule himself “in” either, but if we’ve learned anything from this injury, it’s that we move forward with baby steps, people.
From Yahoo! Sports:
…Crosby, who’s been cleared for contact, said it’s possible he could suit up against the Stars.
“That’s a possibility,” Crosby told NHL.com “Just like however many games left there are (also are a possibility)… Everyone else’s guesses are as good as mine.”
“We are not waiting for an epiphany to make a decision,” Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. “He’s progressing. He’s going down that road. I’ll reiterate to you again, there is not a timetable or a date right now that we know and you don’t.”
You heard it, everybody! Sidney Crosby will be back on Friday…or at some point after Friday’s game, nobody really knows. That’s the least helpful prediction ever, Sid. “When will you be back?” “Well, either Friday, or any game that takes place after Friday,” is not helpful information. It’s a good thing that Crosby has accomplished so much already in his career, winning a Stanley Cup, Hart Trophy and an Olympic Gold Medal , because at this rate his unborn children may suit up for the Pens before Sid “the Kid” does again. At this point, it may be just about time to shift questions away from “When will Crosby return?” to “What will you be doing for the one-year anniversary of Sidney Crosby’s last game?” A great way to honor the occasion would be to hit your head on something and then lay down for an uncomfortably long time while people around you wait for you to get up. We can call it “Sidding,” and it will make for a great party.
