CROSBY TO RETIRE?

[shoeshine boy 242]

actually if you watch the entire hit and don't just focus on the elbow you'll see Krejci come around and cross-check Sid pretty good in the ribs. wouldn't be surprised if that's what he was chirping about.

[Chadd 916]

Crosby should pick his head up when he skates. Guy runs into Krejci's elbow then acts like he wants to fight him.

It wasn't even an elbow, it was pretty much the back of his shoulder or tricep.

Sid can't run around sticking, slashing, slew footing or otherwise playing dirty and then act pissy when someone bumps him. His style of play and aggressiveness will continue to cause problems for him until he matures or retires.

[BoDangles 0]

when the whistle finally blew, Crosby made his way over to Krejci and gave him a few cross checks and yapped at him like a chihuahua. It then continued once they got to the bench.

That does not mean he tried to fight him. Stuff after the whistle happens every single play blown dead for the most part.

[BenderHockey 127]

That does not mean he tried to fight him. Stuff after the whistle happens every single play blown dead for the most part.

Exactly. You can tell Crosby wasn't trying to fight him, because Krejci was making eye contact with him.

[natbat 0]

It wasn't even an elbow, it was pretty much the back of his shoulder or tricep.

Sid can't run around sticking, slashing, slew footing or otherwise playing dirty and then act pissy when someone bumps him. His style of play and aggressiveness will continue to cause problems for him until he matures or retires.

That is why I will never have any respect for the Crosby. Lack of class...simple as that. Ill never forget the interview years ago when they played the Red Wings for the cup. I rate a player at the end of their career and what they contributed to the sport and his team. 20 years from now, I don't think much will be said about Crosby. Look at Lindro's, He was supposed to be a super-star, he refused to play for Quebec and Karma caught up with him. Is Crosby talented? "Yes". But you have to be a well rounded player. This includes on and off the Ice.

[CaptainFantastik 0]

It's always hilarious watching Sid's detractors manufacture reasons to dislike him to justify their agenda. Dirty player? Classless? Lol....okay. The most scrutinized player in the league and funny how nobody in the media (including former players) has picked up on it but a handful of randoms on the internet. Funny how such a classless and dirty player cleaned house in the players poll last season before going down. The guy always says he right thing publicly, NEVER accepts praise but always diverts it to his teammates. Crosby has always been extremely competitive and has never been shy about dishing out as well as he takes. He's no different than any other player in the league as far as his on-ice antics and that dates back to his days at Shattuck. Rational people can see that he he will take heat for doing the same things 90% of NHL players do on a nightly basis.

Every Captain in the league is in the ref's ear every game, but if Crosby does it he's a "whiner". Every player in the league chirps vile shit at each other but Crosby's relatively PG-rated chirping (give or take a few F bombs) makes him "classless". I've seen somewhere in the area of 90% of Crosby's games in the NHL thanks to Center Ice. I've seen every press statement he's made to local and national media, and the numerous local stories reported through PPG or Tribune about his charitable and good nature off the ice that the mainstream media doesn't even pick up on. The "classless" and "dirty player" barbs are absolute comedy for those of us who have paid attention with anything resembling objectivity.

If Crosby was half the things you people claim, he'd be publicly vilified league wide by players and by the media.

[Chadd 916]

Actually, Sid "won" a couple negative polls early in his career due to his immaturity. His work ethic and talent levels are both off the chats but there are also some negative aspects to his game/personality. Pointing that out is not being a "hater".

[Joshison 1]

"People kept throwing hats. I was just asking if he could make an announcement to ask them to stop. The first wave came, and then I think they were all pretty much picked up, and more started coming," my Fav cindy moment talking to the refs after Ovechkin's hat trick.

[natbat 0]

Not a hatter.....I grew up watching Steve Yzerman. One of the most respected, talented, and liked, players of all time. So call me a hatter, but the bar is set very high for Crosby and other young players. If I was a true hatter, I wouldn't admit his talent. I lost all respect for Gretzky after the way he acted during the Olympics years ago. He was still a great player and a thrill to watch. I hope Crosby makes a full recovery and has one hell of a career, but so far its not looking good for a kid that was labeled the best thing ever at 18 years old.

[s4gobabygo 0]

sports concussion is my profession, so i thought i should chime in here. the problem with his situation is symptom correlation. mickey collins re-administered the impact test noting no material deviations from his previously acceptable post-recovery score, but the fact that he's still feeling symptoms is not a good sign. essentially, he may appear to be fully recovered, and may in fact be able to play at 100% within a matter of days, but there's a VERY high likelihood that he is further susceptible to concussions than he was before. the situation is likely beyond the physicians' control now, and we'll just have to wait and see when crosby feels up for it himself, knowing full well that returning to play too soon could put him in a permanent situation where his next hit is his last. it's not a case where he's being soft for not rushing back after being cleared... he knows the significance of his career, and realizes that a year lost now could be a small price to pay to be able to actually play a full career (and hopefully avoid mental problems down the road). it's a shame to see, and unfortunately the most positive thing i can say about it is that hopefully this will serve as a lesson that players MUST be removed from play after their first suspected concussion. this would have all been avoided without that second hit. for his sake, i hope he takes a substantial break and tries again later in the season. as a rangers fan, i hated when he was on the ice, but i hate even more seeing him only in the news.

[Fire0nIce228 1]

That is why I will never have any respect for the Crosby. Lack of class...simple as that. Ill never forget the interview years ago when they played the Red Wings for the cup. I rate a player at the end of their career and what they contributed to the sport and his team. 20 years from now, I don't think much will be said about Crosby. Look at Lindro's, He was supposed to be a super-star, he refused to play for Quebec and Karma caught up with him. Is Crosby talented? "Yes". But you have to be a well rounded player. This includes on and off the Ice.

Sid is the face of the NHL right now and the heart of the Penguins, I think he contributes quite very much to the sport and his team. Lindros not playing for Quebec is why he got concussions and hard a short career, yah okay

"He's a great player, a great person. He was a huge part of bringing the guys together." - Ken Hitchcock

"He's a great example for all young players that here we have one of the best players in our game, a young guy just driven to get better in all areas. It's so important because he can play in all situations and score the goal, set up the goal, he can win the faceoff, he'll block a shot. How valuable is that?" -Steve Yzerman

"It takes time for Crosby to be there with Gordie Howe and (Mark) Messier and Bobby Orr but believe me he's going to be there." -Gretzky

http://www.post-gaze.../1196415-61.stm -Sid visits Childrens hospital (with concussion symptoms, when he could be at home laid up on the couch, no biggie)

Crosby Donation Leads To Renovation at Children’s Hospital

[natbat 0]

Sid is the face of the NHL right now and the heart of the Penguins, I think he contributes quite very much to the sport and his team. Lindros not playing for Quebec is why he got concussions and hard a short career, yah okay

"He's a great player, a great person. He was a huge part of bringing the guys together." - Ken Hitchcock

"He's a great example for all young players that here we have one of the best players in our game, a young guy just driven to get better in all areas. It's so important because he can play in all situations and score the goal, set up the goal, he can win the faceoff, he'll block a shot. How valuable is that?" -Steve Yzerman

"It takes time for Crosby to be there with Gordie Howe and (Mark) Messier and Bobby Orr but believe me he's going to be there." -Gretzky

http://www.post-gaze.../1196415-61.stm -Sid visits Childrens hospital (with concussion symptoms, when he could be at home laid up on the couch, no biggie)

Crosby Donation Leads To Renovation at Children’s Hospital

Again, I am not attacking his talent. And as far as Lindros, If you cannot see that what he did was fundamentally wrong then I truly feel for you. "HE REFUSED TO PLAY FOR A TEAM as a ROOKIE". He was a kid and had not contributed nothing to the NHL. I respect your feedback. As a Red Wing fan I don't follow everything about Crosby. I can only base my opinion on what I see On TV.

[BoDangles 0]

For those who have said about his lack of class off the ice, just a few things I want to point out that I'm not sure a lot of people know.

His deals with Reebok and Sport Chek both include a clause that mentions something like 30% of the of all photo and video shoots must be done here in Halifax with local workers and photographers taking part.

He also spent a lot of time training in the off season at The Canada Games Centre here in Halifax. My girlsfriend's best friend worked at a day camp in the same building and mentioned numerous times about Crosby taking time to say hello to the kids as he left or came into the building.

These are small things mind you, but coming from a small town myself, to see a guy like that want to support the local economy as much as possible and take a little time to recognize the kids who look up to him. I'm not saying there are other down sides, but just wanted to share a few things that prove he can be a good guy as well.

I understand when he first came into the league, he had a bad rep and I don't blame a lot of people for giving him that, he deserved it. At the same time though I think people need to give the guy a chance to grow and mature. Think of everything he has done and how often the cameras are on him and the guy is only what, 24?

[bandits_5 18]

nobodys perfect . so jealous fans , upset because hes not on their team or whatever reason , will find any reason to run a particular guy down. If he does 99 good things and 1 bad , they highlight the bad to the extreme.

you can read a holy bible and see how people were always trying to find problems with Jesus.......and homie actually was/is ( however you like to look at it ) PERFECT..........so the Sid fans just need to take the negativity for what its worth - not much. ( not trying to push any religeion or belief here , just thought of that as an example)

[Chadd 916]

Why does every topic end up revolving around Crosby? It's almost as if certain people here get upset if he isn't praised for simply getting out of bed in the morning.

[Law Goalie 147]

And others get angry when he's praised for doing anything.

BTW, Fire, I loved that Gretzky quote; Wayne still won't put himself on par with Gordie, even as he's putting Messier and Orr up with him.

And as much as I want to jump on bandits and tell him to re-read the passages on Gethsemane, there's a pretty good analogy buried there. Crosby has been told he's the hockey messiah since he was a little kid, and he holds himself to an unusually high standard of training and performance, while not, frankly, understanding that other players (especially older players) don't need to train or play the way he does. If a 40-year old trains like an 18-year old, he gets hurt or burns out; he can however train in a way that allows him to compete and surpass the 18-year old. So Crosby comes into the league with extremely high expectations - albeit totally honest, earnest ones - both within and without, and wants to hold everyone to that same standard, when even supposing that he could hold some guys to account was inadvisable and frankly unprofessional presumption.

Coming back to the issue at hand, the concussion epidemic and Crosby's role in it, we need to realise that this is almost completely uncharted territory. Crosby might well be the human being whose brain trauma has been most carefully treated and studied without his brain being in a jar. The concussion Pronger suffered really has me wondering whether a lot of those guys who got clipped and 'weren't the same player after that' were actually suffering from post-concussion syndrome, and weren't taking the rest that, say, a guy who took a punch or hit his head on the ice, or some other obvious blunt-force trauma, would be allowed, or would allow himself. I'm intrigued by the gyro therapy if only because it's largely stimulation therapy: give the brain some unusual stimuli and make it rewire itself and grow to adapt. What is, however, really scary about the effectiveness of this kind of active therapy is the possibility that the classic prescription - sitting in the dark by yourself with no stimuli - might actually be worsening the symptoms; for example, that Marc Savard's career might have been ended, and his life largely ruined, by poor medical advice.

[MLSman 22]

As much as many non-PIT fans may despise him as an opponent....myself included....I have to say that he is definitely missed for his stellar skillsets. HIs hands are amazing...and when you see some of his practice videos, he does things at will that most of us could only dream to do by accident. I for one will say I hope he finds a way to overcome this situation.

I was watching a SCI channel show on how current research in brain reprogramming (essentially the brain's ability for building new neuron paths) has been encouragingly successful in early onset Alzheimers and stroke victim preliminary studies. The key is continued research for the effective methods to spur this new neuron path growth. The same research for PCS would be very interesting.

[skeeter14 0]

here we go again

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/7396838/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-concussion-symptoms-coach-says

[Stoop 1]

here we go again

http://espn.go.com/n...toms-coach-says

I hear ya:

[jds 20]

This is becoming an "epidemic" or should I say , the acknowledgement of concussions is becoming an epidemic. How much would it suck if Crosby was done all because of a lack of awareness around the issue that put him in the game against Tampa Bay after the Steckel hit.

[bar down 1]

crosby has matured with age but whats there to hate about him

[bandits_5 18]

Maybe for the sake of his health he should consider shutting it down for the season , instead of working to get back. I mean at some point , enough is enough. heres the latest: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_777864.html

[Fire0nIce228 1]

Bray is much more respected in the medical field than Carrick. I'm not expert but from what I gather following this pretty closely as a Pens fan, Carrick is kinda into experimental healing and such. But yeah, I'm starting to really say he should just shut it down and sit around until about June/July. Side note, glad to see Mueller back after a long absence and hope that PMB can return as well.. that guy missed alot of time and got a second concussion :(