Will the Penguins be without Crosby?
In the 2010-11 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins made the playoffs for the fifth year running but fell at the first hurdle being defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in a thrilling series lasting seven games.
Although they made the playoffs, many assumed the Penguins would go a lot further than they eventually did, giving them the label of under achievers. However, Pittsburgh have a small excuse for this as they didn’t have the services of arguably the best centre in the NHL, Sidney Crosby. The 23 year-old Canadian recorded 41 appearances last season and notched up 66 points before suffering concussion, suffering hits to the head by Capital David Steckel and Bolt Victor Hedman a day after one another and the 2011 winter classic.
No Crosby led to the Pens crashing out of the playoffs in the first round last season, so will he be ready for the 2011-12 campaign?
Head coach Dan Bylsma, who won the Stanley Cup with the Pens in 2009, was asked questions about Crosby’s condition at the moment in the off-season. Bylsma answered expressing the fact that he doesn’t like to talk to his players in the off-season, especially general chat such as ‘how are you’. Even in Crosby’s case, Bylsma says he hasn’t taken any extra effort to see how his team captain is feeling over the off-season. He also stated that if he were to talk to Sidney, it would be more about team scheduling and roster management.
Following Bylsma’s lack of information regarding Crosby, the Pen’s GM Ray Shero has said that Crosby has been pushing himself very hard through the off-season but unfortunately has also felt certain symptoms after a hard workout. Coach Bylsma has said that he will have enough time in the pre-season camp to come up with his lines and tactics for the new season even if Crosby isn’t available.
The Pens open their 2011-12 campaign on the road to last year’s finalists Vancouver Canucks on October 6th. You couldn’t ask for a harder first fixture, but after the opener and through to the end of October, the schedule is much more relaxed which favours the Pens who will hope to get as many points as possible early into the season as they may not have the services of Crosby.
With or without Sidney Crosby it will definitely be interesting to see how the Penguins bounce back from last season’s disappointment. The opening tie against the Canucks is a must watch for any hockey fan, be sure to tune in!
Follow George on twitter @glamfan_royle
