Penguins center Sidney Crosby played the last several weeks of the season with a broken left foot and will skip the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships that begin next week in Moscow to give the bone a chance to heal.

Crosby also said today that he and his representatives might talk to the Penguins about negotiating a long-term contract this summer, a year before his entry contract expires. That would stop him from becoming an restricted free agent in 2008.

Crosby was injured when he blocked a shot. He did not miss any games and, at 19, became the youngest player to win the NHL scoring title with 120 points.

"The first two weeks were pretty sore, but after that it started to heal, so it got a little better," Crosby said today as the players cleaned out their lockers following a first-round loss to Ottawa in the playoffs.

"When we got to the playoffs, it was sore, but it wasn't grueling or anything. ... It just needs time."

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.