There's progess, but still no timetable for Penguins' Crosby
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Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been sidelined since Jan. 5.
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There is progress.
There is hope.
But there still is no target date.
And there certainly are no guarantees.
Sidney Crosby, who hasn't played since Jan. 5 because of a concussion, is scheduled to take another significant step in his recovery today, when he goes on the ice with his teammates for their game-day skate at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.
But it is no more than that -- one step on a journey that is nowhere near complete.
One which, as general manager Ray Shero stressed Wednesday, might not end until training camp in the fall.
For while Shero did not rule out the possibility of Crosby returning at some point during the Stanley Cup playoffs, which begin in about two weeks, he did effectively snuff any thoughts that Crosby could be back in the lineup before the regular season ends April 10 in Atlanta.
"As a manager, I have no expectation that he's coming back to play in the regular season," Shero said. "I don't believe that's going to happen.
"In terms of playing in the playoffs for us, that's still two or three weeks away. I don't want to take any hope away from the players, but to return to game action for the Stanley Cup playoffs takes a certain level of fitness and game-(readiness), and he is certainly not close to that at this point."
Coach Dan Bylsma reinforced that sentiment, saying that potential return dates for Crosby have not come up in the conversation.
"Ray and I have not had discussions about [Crosby returning for] 'start of the playoffs, first round, second round,' " he said. "There are no discussions on those fronts.
"We have no anticipation for when the next step is, and where that might be, down the road. If at all, this year."
Although Crosby has clearance to go on the ice for game-day skates -- in addition to the one this morning, there will be one Saturday in Sunrise, Fla. -- he is not allowed to participate in off-day practices.
"We don't anticipate him practicing with us all the time," Shero said.
First Published March 31, 2011 12:00 am
