Penguins' Crosby Skates Following Team Practice In Florida
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) -- Sidney Crosby was on the ice this morning following the Penguins morning skate ahead of their game tonight against the Florida Panthers at the BankAtlantic Center.
It's the first time in more than a month the Penguins' captain skated since developing concussion-like symptoms following a loss to the Boston Bruins back on Dec. 5.
Even though he was on the ice, Crosby said he still has no idea when he'll be cleared to practice again.
According to the Associated Press, Crosby skated for 27 minutes.
"The symptoms are getting a lot better, but I wouldn't say (I'm) symptom free," Crosby said. "But I'm allowed to lightly exert, and that's a positive."
Crosby suffered similar symptoms last January and missed more than 10 months.
The Penguins have struggled without their captain, losing six straight games over the last two weeks to fall into the bottom half of the Eastern Conference.
Doctors have cleared Crosby for "light exertion," and he was clearly out of breath when he addressed reporters shortly after leaving the ice. While acknowledging skating is "better than being on a bike" there are restraints on what he can do.
Crosby joked with coach Dan Bylsma when he skated onto the ice, with the coach saying it was good to see Crosby with his teammates.
Though the injury-ravaged Penguins have looked dismal over the last few weeks, Crosby shot down any discussion that the silence surrounding his condition — he hadn't spoken to the media in a month — was causing a rift in the dressing room.
According to the Penguins' website, the rest of the team wore makeshift "C"s on their practice jerseys during their morning skate.
"I've been around hockey long enough to know this stuff goes on when you're losing," Crosby said. "I don't think we'd be talking about it if we'd won five straight."
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