Crosby optimistic about playing for Penguins in upcoming season
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Sidney Crosby, left, talks to reporters accompanied by Penguins General Manager Ray Shero, center, and Director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program Dr. Michael Collins.
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Penguins captain Sidney Crosby believes it is "likely" he will play in the 2011-12 NHL season, but he and two concussion specialists overseeing his health can't put any sort of timetable on it.
"I'm optimistic Sid will have a very long, fruitful career," Dr. Micky Collins of UPMC said during a 42-minute news conference today at Consol Energy Center.
Crosby had not spoken publicly since late April, although he did release a statement last month thanking people for their support. Of rumors that he might be considering retirement, Crosby emphatically said, "No."
Crosby, 24, took hits to the head in successive games in early January and was diagnosed with a concussion Jan. 6. He sat out the rest of the 2010-11 season. He was leading the NHL with 66 points in 41 games when he got hurt.
PG VIDEO: CROSBY TALKS ABOUT RECOVERYCollins said he knew when Crosby was diagnosed that his was a type of concussion that could take a long time to heal because one of Crosby's symptoms was fogginess, but Collins expects that Crosby will heal completely, return to play for the Penguins and won't be any more susceptible to future brain injuries.
Dr. Ted Carrick, a professor of clinical neurology at Life University in Georgia, specializes in the type of recovery Crosby has faced and was added to Crosby's care team recently. He said Crosby has improved dramatically in detailed stability tests.
Crosby worked out over the summer but began experiencing headaches last month when he reached about 89 percent or 90 percent intensity, so he backed off some. He is still skating and working out.
It's not known whether Crosby will be able to participate in any way at training camp.
Players report Sept. 16 and begin practices Sept. 17. Collins said he had "no earthly idea" whether Crosby might be ready to play in the season opener Oct. 6 at Vancouver.
"We'll introduce contact in a careful way," Collins said.
Crosby has seen great improvement recently.
"I'm very happy with the last three weeks," he said, but added that he will not "roll the dice" by trying to come back while he is still at 90 percent.
Crosby joined the growing call to ban head shots in the NHL, saying those account for a small percentage of the overall hits but cause too much damage to ignore.
"I don't think there's a reason not to take them out," he said.
Shelly Anderson: shanderson@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1721
First Published September 7, 2011 1:36 pm
