Pittsburgh Penguins’ center Sidney Crosby’s status unchanged despite practice with team-NHL News
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in fresh hopes of centre, Sidney Crosby’s return from a concussion-like injury, this National Hockey League (NHL) season.
Crosby, for the first time, took part in the team’s off-day practice on Thursday, February 23, 2012, spending a substantial amount of time on the ice, giving the team new hopes regarding his return.
Penguins’ head coach, Dan Bylsma, said:
“(It’s) a chance to get on the ice with some more players. “
He added:
“He was out there with our team for the entire practice, although he did not participate in the contact drills that we did have. We’ll see how he progresses and where he’s at in terms of getting on the ice. Sometimes it (what Crosby does) is dictated on
if it’s an optional (practice) or how many people will be out there.”
The player has not played or practised since December 05, 2012.
Despite practising on Thursday, he was unable to participate in a contact drill, which did not give the team an option to change his injury status.
Crosby was able to play only eight games this season and might be able to play a few more towards the end of the season if he returns from the injury.
He has also skated in Montreal about two weeks earlier as a part of his individual efforts on the recovery.
By and large, his workout has remained limited to the company of injured players, and the he is yet to prove his fitness in the team’s physicals.
Penguins’ general manager, Ray Shero, who is pursuing some options in the trade market, did not say if Crosby’s absence will affect his take on different potential players.
Meanwhile, Penguins had good news about the goaltender, Brent Johnson, and defenseman, Brooks Orpik.
The players, who had missed the game against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, joined the side for practice on Thursday, and are hopeful for the next game.
The team is playing against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, February 25, 2012 and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday, February 26, 2012.
Penguins have already beaten Tampa Bay in their last game on February 12, 2012, and given the impressive form they had shown in the previous tie, odds are considered to be in their favour this time again.
None of the team officials have hinted at the possibility of a negative outfall of the key players’ absence on their performance on the weekend.
Certainly, the return of the two players will boost the squad’s strength. Crosby’s comeback later in the season will be another positive development for which the team is waiting anxiously.
Come couple of weeks are going to set a direction for the player ascertaining his recovery and return chances.
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