Pens @malkin71_ is out of the game tonight with a lower body injury. HC Bylsma will update his status after the game -SK
Stay tuned for a further update.
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Geno not looking terribly energetic during warmups. Granted, that's kind of normal. Looks like he's testing whatever is wrong.
Malkin is a game-time decision for tonight's game. His presence in warmups certainly make it appear like he will play but he might air on the side of caution and sit.
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins went through a 60+ minute workout this morning as the team departs for Vancouver this afternoon. Among today’s storylines in practice was Sidney Crosby who said afterwards he doesn’t expect to receive clearance for contact on the Penguins upcoming Western Canada swing.
Look for Crosby to return at the absolute earliest during Game 5 against the Washington Capitals.
Penguins center Sidney Crosby will start the 2011-12 season on injured reserve.
Last season, Crosby scored 32 goals and 66 points over 41 games before missing the rest of the season. If he can play around 60 games he figures to stay in the mix to lead the League.
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"Obviously, I want to take more [of a role] in the room, be a bigger leader. But people don't really know me as a guy who talks a lot. I'm a guy who's going to go on the ice and be an example. But that's something I've tried to do a little more, talk to the young guys and try to maybe lead the way."
In his fifth full season, Letang will be relied upon to lead the Pens blue line. Last season he scored eight goals and 50 points through 82 games but his play drastically fell off when Sidney Crosby got hurt. Look for Letang to improve his consistency this season as he ascends to the elite level.
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The Russian center's confidence and comfort level have skyrocketed going into the 2011-12 season. He's healthy after February surgery to repair his right anterior cruciate knee ligament. He's strong after offseason workouts that exceeded what he had done before. He's happy after what seems to be a breakthrough in his communication skills.
Malkin should center the top line as the team awaits Crosby's recovery. Last season the Russian expatriate scored 15 goals and 37 points through 43 games before finishing the season on IR. Expect a return to his prime form, where 100 points are certainly not out of the question.
Before he will be cleared to play, things will need to go well for an unspecified amount of time after he begins hitting and taking hits in practice. It's not known when he will be allowed to have contact, but it might well be at least eight days from now.
Stay tuned for further updates on the superstar captain.
Sidney Crosby rules himself out of Penguins season opener Thurs at Vancouver even tho recovery going well.
Following a practice with contact, Crosby ruled himself out of the season opener. The superstar center could return shortly after the season begins as the dreaded "setback" word has not been used.
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has yet to be cleared for contact, but he has been elevated in his line duty. With the Penguins going through their first full team practice with the reduction of players in camp, Crosby centered the third line in today’s skate, with Pascal Dupuis and Matt Cooke on his wings.
Evgeni Malkin tweeted today that Crosby skated for the first time with contact. While we await reports confirming the tweet, it seems like the team's captain will return to the lineup shortly. Feel free to draft accordingly.
Sidney Crosby is still wearing a white hat in Penguins practice -- not because he's ready to ride in as the team's hero, but because his helmet needs to contrast with his teammates' black ones to signify that he's not allowed to have contact.
If you were planning on taking Crosby at a discount, or already own The Kid, then this news comes as good news. Although he has yet to take a hit, the captain continues to take positive steps in his road to recovery.
"Everything's been really good," he said. "I haven't run into any issues so far. It's been pretty smooth. A day at a time, but it's been a lot of fun being out there and getting back to doing the things you're used to doing every day as a hockey player.
Crosby continues to make strides and might be ready for opening night at this pace. The phenom scored 31 goals and 66 points in his first 41 games of the year. Expect at least 80 points from the elite center.
#SidneyCrosby practicing with #PittsburghPenguins but #BrooksOrpik and #JasonWilliams are not.
Always a good sign that 'The Kid' isn't suffering from any setbacks.
"I've gotten bumped kind of accidentally here a couple of times anyway, and it's been OK," the Penguins captain said Tuesday. "So we've just got to see how it goes."
No headaches or setbacks reported yet which is a very good sign.
Crosby standing in front of net deflecting point shots.
Sounds pretty close to contact drills, or as close as you can get.
Crosby said he went "all out" in on-ice sessions Saturday and Sunday, and plans to participate in another such workout today.
Another step in the right direction...
His hour-long, on-ice workout at Consol Energy Center was "probably the longest [I've gone] at that pace," Crosby said, and he plans to do it again today if no symptoms develop in the interim.
Certainly another encouraging sign for the fallen Crosby. With Yahoo! downgrading his O-Rank 75, draft at your own risk.
Crosby said he was symptom free during practice.
Certainly an encouraging sign but there remains no timetable for his return.
If Malkin -- who has done some of his finest work when Crosby has been out of the lineup -- is completely healed and can elevate his game to the level he has reached at times in recent years, he will pick up much of the slack caused by Crosby's absence, however long it lasts.
Malkin claimed he was at 90 percent today despite training at an elevated level all summer. The talented Russian has too much talent not to step up with added ice time. As long as Crosby remains out you can expect Malkin to hold even more value.
Crosby cleared to practice without contact
Yesterday we were uncertain whether Crosby would suit up for training camp. Practicing with the team is clearly a good sign.
Bylsma said it has not been determined yet to what extent, if any, captain Sidney Crosby can participate in camp. He is recovering from a concussion.
Doesn't sound like Sid will take part in on-ice activities any time soon.