5 day forecast
Crosby cleared for off-ice workouts; training camp looks promising
Share with others:
Penguins general manager Ray Shero isn't ready to proclaim that he expects Sidney Crosby to be ready for the start of training camp.
That doesn't mean he isn't anticipating it, however.
"I don't want to look too far ahead, or whatever," Shero said today. "But there's no reason for me to expect him not to be (ready for camp), put it that way."
Crosby, who did not play after Jan. 5 because of a concussion, has gotten clearance from Dr. Michael Collins, the specialist overseeing his case, to begin his regular off-season workout routine.
He met with Dr. Collins Tuesday, and traveled to his offseason home in Nova Scotia the next day.
Crosby's workouts will, as usual, be monitored by his longtime personal trainer, Andy O'Brien.
His summer training sessions are reputed to be grueling -- one element involved running sideways around a hill -- but Shero said he won't necessarily start at the most demanding level. That is not, after all, something Crosby has done in any other offseason.
"I don't know what his exact routine is going to be," Shero said. "A managed progression, probably."
Crosby, in addition to being extremely superstitious, is a creature of habit. He generally does not get on the ice during the summer until late July or early August, and Shero said that won't alter that this time.
"He's not going to change that," Shero said. "He's a routine guy."
Shero said he does not know when Crosby will return to Pittsburgh, but noted that Crosby and O'Brien will be in regular contact with Dr. Collins.
"Hopefully, things go well and there are no red flags," he said.
First Published June 2, 2011 3:52 pm
