Jeff Riger: Do You Miss Sidney Crosby?
Some of the chatter around the Red Wings dressing room Thursday morning involved Detroit's most hated NHL player -- Sidney Crosby. Crosby, who has not played since January 5 of last season due to a concussion, was thought to maybe make his return to the ice this weekend, however recent reports say "The Next One" will have to wait at least until next week.
Of course the NHL and the Penguins miss Crosby, considering what a talent and name he seems to be, but what about the Wings? Do those who don the winged wheel miss the Halifax, Nova Scotia native who once celebrated winning a Stanley Cup on the Joe Louis Arena ice and then promptly snubbed Nick Lidstorm by not shaking his hand? Are Detroit players eager to see Crosby back ASAP? The answer, believe it or not, is YES!
Henrik Zetterberg talked about Crosby Thursday morning glowingly, saying, "We miss him, it's going to be really exciting to see his first game. He has been away for way too long and he is a great player. We need him for many, many years and I will watch the first game he will be back and I wish him well."
I then asked Zetterberg if it was dangerous saying he missed Crosby playing for one of the superstar's main rivals? "Well I think the league misses him, I don't think Detroit misses him. We have a rivalry and it's a fun rivalry, he's a great player and he's fun to play against. But we miss him, he should be playing, it's got to be tough on him to not be able to play and be on the side for that long. We just wish him to be back as soon as possible" said Zetterberg.
Mike Babcock even chimed in on Crosby returning soon, saying, "Well number one if you know him, he is a phenomenal kid and he's a work alcoholic and he has a passion to be great." So I think it's safe to say that Babcock, too, wants Crosby back sooner rather than later.
And that is the way it should be, because whether you admit it or not Sidney Crosby is GREAT for the NHL and even though Wings fans hate him, wouldn't you rather Detroit beat a Pittsburgh team with Crosby playing on it than not? Yeah, that's what I thought!
I admit it, I miss Crosby too, and can't wait until he comes back. I enjoy watching him play. But unfortunately it won't affect Detroit one way or the other, considering the Wings don't play the Penguins for the remainder of the season, which is a huge issue in itself and would make a great topic for another blog.
So do you miss Sid the Kid?
