Penguins' Sidney Crosby diagnosed with concussion, status uncertain
Pittsburgh's title defense is not getting off on the right foot
By
Chris Peters
•
1 min read
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced Monday that captain Sidney Crosby has been diagnosed with a concussion. Just how long the Pens will be without the reigning Conn Smythe Award winner remains uncertain.
According to head coach Mike Sullivan, Crosby was injured during practice Friday, but won't say how.
PIT coach Mike Sullivan said they would prefer to keep in house what specifically in Fri's practice may have led to Crosby's concussion.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 10, 2016
Here is the full statement from the team:
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been diagnosed with a concussion, it was announced by Executive Vice President and General Manager Jim Rutherford.
Crosby sat out Saturday's preseason game vs. Columbus because he was not feeling well, and missed practice today to undergo concussion testing.
Crosby's status will be updated when more information is available.
The Penguins are set to open the season with their Stanley Cup banner raising Thursday night against the Washington Capitals. It appears safe to assume that Crosby will miss at least that game.
The team had expected Crosby to play in at least one preseason game after returning from the World Cup of Hockey, where he captained Team Canada to the tournament title and received MVP honors. They even announced that he would play in the Free Game of Kids Saturday at the recently-renamed PPG Paints Arena in Pittsbrugh.
With Crosby's concussion history, this is obviously a delicate situation for the Pens and not something they'll be rushing him back from despite his importance to the team.
The 29-year-old has been mostly healthy over these last three seasons, save for a few minor bumps and bruises, and that one bout with the mumps. He's also been playing some of his best hockey over that span as well, with 273 points over those last three seasons.
The defending Stanley Cup champs are certainly going to miss their No. 1 center, no matter how long he is out. After dominating the playoffs and the recent World Cup, Crosby looked set to have another monumental year.
Now we don't know exactly when that year will start. We'll have more updates on this as they become available.
