Pittsburgh Penguins place Sidney Crosby on Injured Reserve, out for one week minimum-NHL News Update
When fans were anticipating seeing one of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) greatest players, Sidney Crosby, back in action, Pittsburgh Penguins dismissed all optimism and announced the 24-year-old being placed on injured reserve (IR) on Monday, October
10.
Pittsburgh Penguins ended their near perfect preseason with a loss to Detroit Red Wings on Sunday October 2, and will travel to Vancouver to face-off against Canucks on Thursday, October 6, for the season opener.
With the former Most Valuable Player (MVP) being placed on IR, it means that he will be out of the regular season for at least the first week.
Crosby continues to skate and practice with the Pittsburgh club, but with reoccurring headaches and dizziness from the severe concussion he sustained back in January due to multiple hits to the head, the team and medical staff do not consider him fully ready
to make a comeback.
Being cleared for practice means that he will continue to travel with his team and participate in training sessions but until Crosby is cleared for contact and is relieved of his concussion-like symptoms, seeing him back on the starting line-up is just a
matter of time.
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh’s former second overall draft pick will be in the spotlight for Penguins and with the captain out until further notice, the Russian superstar will have the duty of leading his team to success in the regular season.
Malkin himself was also out for quite a long time due to a knee injury sustained last season alongside Crosby, which had Pittsburgh nearly paralysed, but still performing. Making his return before the preseason, Malkin has been playing well and contributing
big numbers throughout to win five straight in the exhibition series.
"I feel good; my knee pretty good", Malkin told Craig Custance of ESPN. "Of course, I'm nervous little bit before season. My shape is pretty good. I'm ready".
Pittsburgh also announced placing Dustin Jeffrey, Nick Petersen, Robert Bortuzzo and Boris Valabik on IR due to various injuries.
Penguins return home after three straight away matches to face-off against Florida Panthers on Tuesday, October 11, in which Crosby might be cleared to play in.
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