Crosby Leaves Practice Early

WEST POINT, N.Y. — Penguins captain Sidney Crosby left practice early today because of soreness in his groin. His status is day-to-day.

 

Still Hurt But He Going to Play.

It’s well known that Sidney Crosby wears many hats. He’s a son, a brother, a hockey player, a fashion mogul, a product spokesman, an award winner, the captain of his team, record breaker, the biggest star of the NHL, and the role model for kids across the world. Despite all of this, he remains shockingly grounded. That’s why Wes Goldstein of CBSSports.com thinks there should be an award created especially for Saint Sid: One of these days the NHL might have to consider creating a new award for Sidney Crosby. Something like Most Valuable Asset would probably do because right now it looks like the Player thing won’t be enough to fully recognize the impact of the young superstar. .

But in the post-lockout world Crosby’s value to the Penguins franchise as a player might actually take a back seat to his importance to the NHL. Crosby played a critical role in saving the team from moving by exciting fans enough to push local politicians into a franchise-saving arena deal last year. He is also telegenic and humbly admirable, the closest thing the league has had to an icon in the U.S. since Gretzky and Mario Lemieux left the scene.

In the digital media age being embraced so fervently by the league these days, Crosby has clearly become the focal point for the NHL’s short- and long-term marketing plans, and the primary face the NHL uses as it tries to attract a new generation of fans necessary for growth. .