January 23
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Sidney Crosby's rehabilitation from concussion symptoms has headed west. The Penguins star is in California receiving treatment from Dr. Robert S. Bray, a neurological spine specialist. He spent most of last week in Atlanta with Ted Carrick, a chiropractor who aided his recovery from a concussion last summer. "I think this is a good thing," Penguins general manager Ray Shero said Saturday. "He's just going for more therapy. He's doing everything he can to get back to play." Shero said Crosby had a positive week with Carrick. Crosby has said his current problems are related to motion and balance issues while skating."
January 15
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Penguins center Sidney Crosby skated for a second consecutive day -- this time in an organized practice. Three reasons contributed to Crosby's decision to practice Saturday at the Tampa Bay Lightning practice facility: • Crosby felt fine following a 30-minute skate Friday in Sunrise, Fla. • The Penguins only had access to ice in Tampa for a short time, leaving Crosby no time to skate individually before or after practice. • Penguins coach Dan Bylsma already had determined yesterday's practice wouldn't be physically demanding. "It was noncontact out there," Bylsma said, "so it wasn't any different (for Crosby) than yesterday.""
January 10
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The Penguins actually received some good injury news today. Right wing James Neal, the team's leading goal scorer, does not have a broken foot and will play tonight against Ottawa. Two days earlier, coach Dan Bylsma said Neal was out "weeks, not days." However, what originally appeared to be a fracture on X-rays was actually a pre-existing injury. "I'm good to go," said Neal, who explained he will simply deal with any pain that comes with the injury."
December 7
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Penguins center Sidney Crosby was excused from an optional practice Tuesday at Consol Energy Center, but his knee injury doesn't appear to be serious. Crosby was well enough to stand in the bench area and address a crowd of about 8,000 noisy students from 56 area schools who watched practice. Coach Dan Bylsma attributed the absence of Crosby and seven of his teammates to a "maintenance day." Bylsma typically allows players with minor ailments to skip practice, especially the day after a night game. Crosby banged knees with forward Craig Kunitz in the third period of the 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Monday."
December 5
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Penguins coach Dan Bylsma confirmed this morning that defensemen Kris Letang and Zbynek Michalek have both been diagnosed with concussions. Both were injured on Nov. 27 in Montreal. It was originally unclear if either had a concussion following initial tests, but more procedures over the weekend confirmed the respective concussions."
November 20
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Call it a comeback. Actually, call it The Comeback. Penguins center Sidney Crosby will play Monday night against the New York Islanders at Consol Energy Center, the team announced today. In a statement it was said that Crosby would speak Monday morning after a practice. He has not played since Jan. 5 because of a concussion."
November 19
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Is Penguins defenseman Paul Martin a $5 million problem or a $5 million player? The statistics indicate that Martin has been a weak link on one of the NHL's best defensive groups. Coach Dan Bylsma and assistant coach Todd Reirden, however, vehemently came to Martin's defense during the Penguins' Florida swing. Both believe his current funk will pass and that Martin remains an essential ingredient to the Penguins' success on the blue line despite being a minus-10 through 19 games. "That's not a great number for him right now," Bylsma said. "But I'm not going to be surprised if, at Game 40, he's even." Martin, one of the NHL's smoothest skating defensemen, has lost an uncharacteristic number"
November 15
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The Penguins, despite their strong start, remain only a side act to hockey's hottest star. Thing is, Sidney Crosby still isn't playing. His comeback will not happen tonight against the Colorado Avalanche at Consol Energy Center, but even that was a subject of confusion Monday after his team practiced. A recap: >> Crosby took the place of injured left winger Steve Sullivan on a line with center Evgeni Malkin and right wing James Neal during the approximately 70-minute practice at Consol Energy Center. >> He was the last skater to leave the ice after working individual drills with backup goalie Brent Johnson. >> He declined to speak with the media upon entering the dressing room. "Nothing's"
November 10
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Sidney Crosby will not play this weekend. Penguins coach Dan Bylsma announced that Crosby will not play against the Dallas Stars on Friday, nor will he play in Raleigh on Saturday night. There had been heavy speculation from outside the organization that he might make his return from a concussion this weekend. "I will confirm that Sidney is not playing in the next two games," Bylsma said. "He had a good week of practice. He is progressing. We aren't keeping a secret. When he's going to play, we'll make sure we let you know.""
November 10
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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The national hockey media began infiltrating Pittsburgh on Wednesday, but its center of attention hardly rolled out the welcome mat. Center Sidney Crosby declined to speak after the Penguins practiced at Consol Energy Center. His reasoning, relayed through a senior member of general manager Ray Shero's hockey operations staff: Nothing has changed since Monday. It was then that Crosby did not dismiss the possibility of Friday marking his return to NHL games — though, as Penguins coach Dan Bylsma reiterated yesterday, there remains "no timetable for (Crosby's) return." The Penguins host the Dallas Stars on Friday."
November 8
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Penguins center Sidney Crosby practiced today, but said he has not identified Friday as the date for his NHL return. "Nothing (has) changed," he said. Crosby addressed media speculation that he would play Friday against Dallas at Consol Energy Center. "I guess they know more than I do," he said, cracking a smile. "I haven't really thought about that. I've thought more about just getting through this week. (Playing Friday) is a possibility, just like the other however many games left there are (is a possibility).""
November 4
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Penguins defenseman Ben Lovejoy is out indefinitely with a broken wrist. Lovejoy was involved in a collision with San Jose centers Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture along the boards when the injury took place. The Penguins were forced to play most of the game with only five defensemen. Defenseman Alexandre Picard is on the trip and will play Saturday in Los Angeles."
November 4
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Defenseman Alexandre Picard received the call he had been waiting for when the Penguins recalled him from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during their West Coast road trip. Although Picard was essentially brought in to provide insurance for banged up defenseman Kris Letang, the veteran of five NHL teams was pleased to travel to San Jose and hopes to get playing time. "That's the mindset you have to have when you get called up," Picard said. "I was happy to get the call.""
October 25
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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After announcing that Zbynek Michalek is out four to six weeks with a broken finger, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma discussed whether the Penguins can replace the defenseman's penalty-killing ability. Then Bylsma made a concession. "The answer is probably no," he said. The real question is quickly becoming whether or not the Penguins will ever get healthy. After welcoming defenseman Brooks Orpik and center Dustin Jeffrey back into the lineup, the Penguins are losing a defenseman who has been logging around 25 minutes per game. Although Michalek has been shaky in even-strength situations this season, he is regarded as one of the league's premier penalty killers and specializes at shutting down"
October 25
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Center Evgeni Malkin is with the Penguins in New York and could possibly make his return to the lineup tonight against the Islanders. Malkin hasn't played since Oct. 13 because of a sore knee. He practiced with the Penguins on Monday, marking the seventh time in eight days he has skated. Malkin appeared to get through yesterday's 60-minute workout with no sign of discomfort. "(Malkin) is still not ruled in or out for (today's) game," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. Malkin has scored one goal and three assists in three games this season. He skated on a line with left wing Steve Sullivan and right wing James Neal during yesterday's workout."
October 8
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Hockey teams have a colorful history of distorting the truth about injuries, but Penguins coach Dan Bylsma made it clear Friday that center Jordan Staal really did leave Thursday night's season opener at Vancouver with cramps related to dehydration. "I can try honesty if you'd like," Bylsma said after practice at Scotiabank Saddledome, which Staal did not participate in. "I tried it (Thursday), and I'll try it again. He cramped in the game (Thursday) night. That's why he didn't finish the game. The best thing for him is getting on the bike (Friday), and he'll be ready to go (tonight against the Flames).""