'Things are moving in the right direction' for Sidney Crosby, Penguins

The Penguins concluded their training camp in Cranberry on Saturday with a scrimmage.

It was by far the most combative and intense of the four scrimmages they staged during their preparation for the NHL’s postseason tournament in August.

There was nearly a fight between forwards Jared McCann and Brandon Tanev during the second period after McCann ran into goaltender Tristan Jarry and was hit by Tanev in response. Gloves were dropped at center ice, but before any blows were exchanged, assistant coach Mark Recchi, serving as a referee, broke up McCann and Tanev, who hug after the period expired.

There were other instances of heated interactions, including when typically docile Teddy Blueger was so angry with a hit from defenseman Jusso Riikola, he broke his own stick with a cross check on Riikola’s left arm.

Add seven goals, a few highlight-reel saves and even a disallowed goal thanks to a kicked puck, this scrimmage had a little bit of everything and suggested the Penguins were ready for the playoffs.

With one exception.

Sidney Crosby.

The Penguins captain again did not participate in the scrimmage, instead working out on the team’s auxiliary rink for approximately an hour with reserve goaltender Casey DeSmith and a coach. Aside from participating in Friday’s practice, Crosby mostly has been working out separately since he abruptly left a scrimmage July 18.

The team has not officially disclosed the reason for Crosby’s absences, citing the NHL’s new rules for withholding medical information during the coronavirus pandemic. But Crosby all but confirmed he has been dealing with a minor physical ailment while speaking with reporters via video conference after Saturday’s scrimmage.

He also expressed optimism he will be able to resume practicing Monday in Toronto and play against the Philadelphia Flyers in an exhibition game Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena.

“Monday’s kind of the soonest I guess as far as (practicing) with the team,” Crosby said. “I’m hoping that I can skate with the team on Monday and just take it from there. Ideally, I’d be able to play in that game. If not, just kind of go a day at time from there. But I’m hoping that I can get in that game.”

The decision to hold him out of so many scrimmages and practices has been precautionary.

Identifying the specific nature of Crosby’s ailment is a matter of speculation but given most workouts appear to focus on edge work and involve him skating in tight, confined motions, it is a reasonable assumption his malady is what most coaches might label with the popular but nugatory “lower-body” designation.

Regardless, he offered an upbeat assessment of his well being.

“I felt pretty good,” Crosby said. “I had skated on my own on the (auxiliary rink) for a good amount of time. It was just good to get out there with the guys and have a little bit more game-situation stuff going on. But I felt good.”

Having missed 28 games between November and January because of a core muscle injury, Crosby seems willing to ease his way back into a normal routine instead of fighting through whatever ails him.

“Something like that, it takes a while,” he said. “The more you can play games and stress it, I think the better it responds over time.”

Jumping on the main rink for practice Friday, Crosby was greeted like a conquering hero by his teammates who applauded him by “clapping” their sticks on the ice.

“It speaks to the respect that he commands amongst his peers and the importance that he brings to our team,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “When Sid is part of the active practice, I just think it elevates our whole level of intensity and execution out there.”

There appears to be minimal concern by Crosby over his ability to do that next week for the team’s first practice in Toronto or its exhibition contest.

“Ideally, I would have liked to get in a little bit more with the scrimmages and the game situation (drills),” Crosby said. “But with that being said, I think the fact that I’ve been able to skate for a good chunk of time will help getting through that.

“Things are moving in the right direction. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get in that exhibition game.”

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