Another Sid Rumor

[HonusWagner66]

shero says sid will join team for morning skate but not full practice and that he has no expectations for his returning for the regular season.

womp womp womp waaa

 

[pixburgher66]

Yeah, but he's CLEARED to play with the whole team. He's just in the non-contact stage, but being with other players is big.

 

[KillerVee]

Do you think he'll be playing more cautiously? Do you think anyone will play against him differently? I feel like I'd be afraid to break him again.

 

[evolver115]

Picked the last 2 champs before the playoffs started. Just sayin'.

I'll just say this, and I will move on from this tangent...

The Capitals caution against putting undue emphasis on anything that happens during a regular-season series. Taking seven of a possible eight points from the Penguins in 2008-09 didn't help Washington get the victory it needed most in May of that year. -Pgh. PG-

If Crosby returns to the ice this season, and if the Pens and Caps were to meet up in the post-season, which would likely not happen until at least the second round... the team the Capitals last skated against in February would look decidedly different than the one it would potentially face in April.

For example... Joe Vitale, Brian Strait, Ryan Craig, Tim Wallace and Brett Sterling were all skating valuable minutes in the 1-0 loss on 2/21/11. Alex Goligoski had been traded earlier in the day, and Paul Martin was day-to-day.

I'll just say I like our chances with Crosby, Niskanen, Neal, Kovalev, and Martin skating in their places.

:focus:

 

[Jared]

Oh and for the record, even with Sid, if we meet in the playoffs, I still think we beat you down!

I seem to remember the term "clown stomp" being used.

Picked the last 2 champs before the playoffs started. Just sayin'.

Just keep picking against the Caps to win the Cup. That at least gives you a fighting chance to keep that streak alive.

 

[evolver115]

Shero's thoughts on Crosby:

General manager Ray Shero said today that he does not expect center Sidney Crosby to play again during the regular season, and did not rule out the possibility that he will be out until training camp because of his concussion.

“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 away any hope from (Crosby), 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.”

Crosby will travel to Florida with his teammates today, but does not have medical clearance to participate in practices.

Crosby, who did not skate today, will be allowed to go on the ice with his teammates during game-day skates, beginning Thursday in Tampa.

“It’s another step in the progression for him, to introduce him on the ice with 20 other players,” Shero said.

If Crosby is able to get through those skates, in which there is no contact, without difficulty, he will be allowed to take part in practices.

Crosby’s day off today was scheduled, and does not reflect a setback in his recovery.

Even though he has missed the past 36 games, Crosby leads the Penguins in goals (32) and points (66), and is second to Kris Letang in assists (34).

The Penguins are 19-12-5 since Crosby left the lineup.

Ray certainly tempers the expectations on Sid returning this season.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Shero's thoughts on Crosby:



Ray certainly tempers the expectations on Sid returning this season.

I think he's making a valid point though too.

He's a world class player, but Shero's right that after not even being allowed to work out for ~3 months, Crosby's (or anyone for that matter) not going to be in playoff form.

 

[evolver115]

I think he's making a valid point though too.

He's a world class player, but Shero's right that after not even being allowed to work out for ~3 months, Crosby's (or anyone for that matter) not going to be in playoff form.

No argument from me, there. It would be a lot to ask of any player to come back from missing 3 months and just get right back out there. This will obviously take more time. I have no doubt that Sid is a guy capable of adapting his game fairly quickly to what the playoffs demand.

At the same time, I'm not shocked to hear Shero say this. He has to protect Crosby both on the ice and off of it. The organization obviously doesn't want to rush back their franchise player, and they also want to guard against any appearances that they are risking Sid's health by getting him back on the ice before he's ready.

 

[ELYEAH82]

So you picked Chi even though the Caps were the Presidents trophy winner last year?

 

[pixburgher66]

I think Shero is trying to keep the fans under wraps as well as not put pressure on Sid. I still think he returns in the playoffs...if he's cleared, he'll play.