Crosby skates for first time since concussion, spends 15 minutes on ice in full gear
Posted March 14, 2011 10:35 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Sidney Crosby returned to the ice on Monday for the first time since missing 29 games with a concussion.
Crosby, the Penguins captain who last played on Jan. 5 in an 8-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, practised in full gear for about 15 minutes at the Consol Energy Center.
It was a light workout. He participated in a skating drill around some cones, and took a few shots on net as well.
“Every day things are pretty good now,” he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, but added he had “no clue” if he will return this season.
“That’s impossible to say,” said Crosby. “It’s progress. I’m nowhere close to (playing). I just want to get through (this morning’s workout) without getting a headache let alone (worry) about my conditioning.”
Crosby was headed toward a career season with 32 goals and 66 points at the time of his injury.
Last Thursday, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma told reporters that there was no change in Crosby’s status, and that he was still experiencing symptoms that included random headaches.
The Penguins, without Crosby and injured forward Evgeni Malkin (knee), have stayed afloat in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They have 88 points, and are just three behind first-place Philadelphia in the Atlantic Division.
Pittsburgh plays at Ottawa on Tuesday.
Crosby’s return to the ice comes a week after a surprising radio report out of Toronto’s FAN 590, in which host Bob McCown floated the idea that some family members were trying to convince him to retire. The notion was quickly debunked.
“This report is baseless,” Pat Brisson, Crosby’s agent, told Rogers Sportsnet. “At no time has retirement ever been discussed.”
Crosby’s father, Troy, also responded to the claims.
“We’re just trying to get him healthy again,” he told ESPN. “How ever long that takes, that’s how long it’s going to take.”
Crosby’s injury problems began on Jan. 1, in the NHL’s Winter Classic against the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field. He was hit by former Capitals forward David Steckel in Washington’s 3-1 win. Crosby played in the Penguins’ next game, versus the Lightning, when he was hit by Victor Hedman. He later admitted to experiencing post-concussion symptoms.
Since the injuries to Crosby and Malkin, the Penguins added to their offence around the trading deadline. They acquired James Neal from the Dallas Stars and Alex Kovalev from the Ottawa Senators.
Pittsburgh has been to two of the last three Stanley Cup finals, but lost in the second round to Montreal last season.
