'Slight Chance' Crosby Could Play In All-Star Game
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - Penguins center and captain Sidney Crosby was the top vote getter for the NHL All-Star Game to be played on Jan. 30 in Raleigh, N.C.
However, his status for the game remains uncertain due to a concussion. Crosby said there is a "slight chance" he could be back.
The Pens' captain received a total of 635,509 votes, which is 157,549 more votes than the second leading vote getter, his teammate Kris Letang.
"It's tough to put a timetable on it," Crosby said. "It's kind of hard to judge because it's not something I've gone through before."
Crosby continues to recover from concussions symptoms after receiving hits to the head in both the Winter Classic on New Year's Day and the following game against Tampa Day on Jan 5.
"Some days you feel good, you feel like you've made progress. Some days are a bit tougher," Crosby said.
According to a report Tuesday from Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper, Crosby might skip the All-Star game because the players that hit him did not receive punishment from the league. However, Crosby has since denied the report.
"That's not even close," Crosby said. "I'll be there if I can be there and I still haven't ruled out being there. Hopefully, in the next few days, things get better. There's a slight chance I can still be back for that."
This is Crosby's first concussion of his career and he is taking it very seriously.
"You kind of gain a perspective on things and realize how serious and tough it is. ... It's not like a bruise or playing through something. It's a lot more serious than that. It's a little different," Crosby said.
The team will not allow Crosby to take to the ice until he is symptom free.
However, he is helping the team and the coaching staff while not on the ice. Crosby has been discussing power-play strategy with coach Dan Bylsma, who he jokingly suggested Crosby put on a suit and stand behind the bench.
