Crosby May Return Soon

The timetable for Pittsburgh Penguins All-Star Sidney Crosby’s return to playing in games remains speculative, but there are growing signs he could be back soon. Crosby, who has been out since Jan. 5 because of a concussion, is practicing harder with the team.

Crosby, 24, is working contact into his practice routine, and according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, his Penguins teammates gave him the real deal during Wednesday’s 75-minute hard session at Consol Energy Center.

The Penguins next play Friday, against the Dallas Stars. The team has a few days to practice and rest, leading to some speculation that Crosby may try to play on Friday. Practicing hard, and taking contact, is part of the tests to see where Crosby is in his recovery. He has been consulting with doctors, while trying to get his conditioning and game timing back.

The Penguins, and Crosby, have not said anything concrete about what could happen.

“I guess [they] know more than I do, because I haven’t really thought about it,” Crosby, said earlier in the week, to the Post-Gazette about those who have said his return is imminent. “I’ve thought more about just getting through this week….I’d love it to be Friday. I’d have loved for it to be on the West Coast trip, but I didn’t play there. There are a lot of different guesses. Everyone else’s guess is as good as mine.”

Crosby withstood the customary hacks and bumps of a game Wednesday, thanks to practicing scrums in front of the net and five-on-five drills. He did not comment on how he felt after the practice, other than telling the media that nothing has changed in his status.

Penguins coach Dan Byslma seemed pleased with how Crosby, the team’s captain, withstood the game-simulated rigors.

“He shows a great willingness to initiate and go to the net, look for that type of situation, whether it’s one-on-one, two-on-one, three-on-two, whether he is expecting to have contact or not,” Bylsma told the Post-Gazette. “I thought he’s got a willingness to go into the area where there’s traffic. … He’s shown that willingness for a while now.”