"Sidney Crosby's yearlong bout with a concussion will not influence next summer's contract talks, Penguins general manager Ray Shero told the Tribune-Review, and the team remains committed to a long-term extension with the star center.

"The only thing on my mind is signing Sidney Crosby," Shero said. "We want him to be a Penguin for life. That's the goal. Nothing has changed."

Crosby's health has changed, of course. He remains out of the lineup with headaches, possibly indicating the concussion he sustained in January remains on some level, though an ImPACT test after the Dec. 5 game against the Boston Bruins did not indicate another concussion. He has played just eight games since Jan. 5.

Shero, however, expects Crosby to fully recover from his concussion issues."