So Why Hasn’t Sidney Signed In Europe Yet?

If there’s one player who is itching to get back onto the ice, it’s probably Sidney Crosby.

For the first time in ages, he’s fully healthy, in the best shape of his life, and ready to go. Of course, the NHL decides that this is the best time to have a lockout.

However, if he’s ready to go and wants to play, why hasn’t Sid followed Evgeni Malkin, Patrice Bergeron, and countless other players and signed in a European league yet? Or, why hasn’t he participated in any of the charity games that former Penguin Max Talbot organized in Quebec? Both Marc-Andre Fleury and Kris Letang did.

Simple: the insurance cost.

Turns out, thanks to his history with concussions, insuring Sidney could cost up to $400,000 a month. Yeah, $400,000.

But, I hear you say, Sid is worth that risk, is he not?

Sure he is, but Sid told Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that it’s just not that easy. Most European clubs can’t afford that, and charity games for sure can’t put up that kind of money, no matter who the star is.

Despite that, reports from 25stanley.com are saying that the Zurich Lions of Switzerland are actively trying to get Sid to sign with them for the duration of the lockout. Dustin Brown, captain of the LA Kings, just signed there yesterday. Not too sure how accurate these reports are, but keep watching this space. Considering the season is all but done, there’s a good chance this will happen.

Three’s Company

If only Geno were there too…

James Neal, Sidney Crosby, and Chris Kunitz haven’t been at the informal practices at Southpointe the past couple of days. And it isn’t because they’ve decided they’d rather sleep in.

Instead, they’re at an informal camp in Dallas, Texas which was organized by some former and current Stars. As we all know, James Neal was drafted by the Stars and played with them for 2 years before being traded to Pittsburgh.

Other players at the camp include Shawn Horcoff (Edmonton), Daniel Cleary (Detroit), Ryane Clowe (San Jose), Ryan Malone (Tampa Bay), and Teddy Purcel (Tampa Bay).

To the surprise of no one, Sid has been taking the camp extra seriously and that’s apparently helped a lot of the other players elevate their game.

The players are expected to be there until the end of the week.

Crosby To Europe? Maybe

Playing in Europe? Maybe…

After the NHLPA’s counter offers were dismissed rather quickly by the NHL, Sidney Crosby, who attended the meetings along with Penguins’ player rep Craig Adams and numerous other players, sounded rather dejected talking to the media. And who can blame him? For the first time in a year, he’s fully healthy and in the best shape of his life, ready to play and the NHL is in a lockout. What’s a player to do?

Well, going to Europe is one option.

After previously saying he was probably going to wait until December to sign in Europe, he admitted yesterday that he’s been exploring his options a little more seriously now.

“A little harder, yeah. I think that’s something that everyone’s got to figure out. You try to figure out where things stand and I don’t think they’re in a great spot right now.”

For Crosby to come out and say this is kind of a big deal. While he’s remained his usual politically correct self during the whole CBA discussions (just last week, he was optimistic a new deal would be reached and we could have a full 82 game season), for the Face of the League to say he’ll go to Europe is pretty much a huge middle finger directed at everyone involved in this situation and, frankly, I hope he does it.

Crosby wouldn’t be the first Penguin to go to Europe. Evgeni Malkin is playing for his home team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, in the KHL. Dustin Jeffrey is playing in the Croatia with KHL Medveščak Zagreb, and Deryk Engelland is playing in the Norwegian Get-League, for Rosenborg Ishockey Klubb. Penguins PA rep Craig Adams also said he’s considering his options in Europe right now.

Happy Birthday Captain!

The Messiah

“For the Hockey God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have a winning team”.

Happy 25th birthday to our captain, Sidney Crosby! Since being drafted in 2005, Sid has achieved what most of us can only dream of. Want to see?

Sidney Crosby Is A Penguin Forever

He's Ours

Well slap me silly, Sidney.

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they will re-sign captain Sidney Crosby to a 12 year, $104.4 million contract extension.

If you do the math, that’s $8.7 million a year. Unbelievably, Sid didn’t bother taking a pay raise, even though everyone knows he could have asked for way, way more money.

The Penguins organization are obviously thrilled with this signing. Co-owners Mario Lemieux (also known as Sid’s landlord) and Ron Burkle released this joint statement:

“This is a great day for hockey and tremendous news for the Pittsburgh Penguins and our fans. We are grateful for all that Sidney Crosby has done for our franchise since coming to Pittsburgh in 2005, both on and off the ice, and we look forward to having him in a Penguins uniform for the rest of his career. He is an excellent player and an even better person, and he is a great ambassador for the Penguins and for Pittsburgh.”

Penguins President and CEO David Morehouse said this:

“In an era when players often move from team to team, it’s gratifying to see a young man who is so committed to one city and one franchise. He’s meant so much to the Penguins, to the growth of youth hockey in Pittsburgh, and to the NHL and the game of hockey in general. It’s a tremendous feeling to know he’ll be here through 2025.”

Meanwhile, general manager Ray Shero had this to say:

“He’s a very special player and knowing that he will be here long-term is outstanding news for our players, coaches, staff and fans. Sidney also brings those extra dimensions as our captain, with his leadership in the room and on the ice. We’re all very excited to reach this agreement on an extension.”

There’s something special knowing that even when I get married and have kids, Sid will still be in a Penguins uniform. This is awesome news.

Crosby Spotted At Game 3!

Crosby works the blue steel

Look up in the boxes! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s our captain, Sidney Crosby!

Crosby was spotted at game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals in Los Angeles, sitting in a box with Colorado Avalanche star Matt Duchene.

For those of you wondering “What the hell is Crosby doing in LA? And since when is he friends with Duchene!?”, Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, is based in LA. Sid and Matt share an agent, and were guests of his in his box.

CBC’s “Hockey Night in Canada” and NBC Sports both interviewed Crosby during intermission, and it was a welcome sight for us fans. Looking happy and healthy, Crosby told CBC’s Elliotte Friedman that he’s already resumed his normal summer workouts, the first time he’s been able to do so in a year, and that he’s ready to go for next season, which is news I think all Penguins fans are excited to hear.

Crosby also said he’s interested in the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. The current one expires in September, and if no new agreement is reached, there is a chance there will be a lockout next season. Sid says he’s already met with Donald Fehr, the president of the NHL Players Association, and that he wants to be as involved as he can with the newest CBA.

On a totally shallow note, Sid was looking ridiculously attractive in his black button down shirt, which highlighted his tan. He was also looking more built than I can remember. The shirt was looking ready to rip from his muscles.

As for who he’s rooting for in the finals, Sid gave a typical diplomatic answer, not giving a direct response. That’s our Sidney!

Pittsburgh Penguins Superlatives!

Nice hair, Sid

The season has ended, so it’s time to pick the Penguins superlatives!

Note: These don’t necessarily reflect the season. I was just bored and picked ones I thought suited certain Penguins.

Without further ado, here are you 2011/2012 Pittsburgh Penguins Most Likely To’s!

Catching Up With The Pens

Crosby being...Crosby at the Derby

So it’s been two weeks without Penguins hockey. What have our beloved Penguins been up to in the off season, besides playing endless rounds of golf?

In serious news, Zbynek Michalek had successful hip surgery, according to the Penguins site. He is expected to be ready for the pre-season.

Evgeni Malkin is playing for Team Russia at the 2012 World Championship and just like he did during the season with the Pens, he is dominating. He has 6 points, 2 goals and 4 assists, tying him with Sweden’s Loui Eriksson for first place. Team Russia has won all three of their games, and will play next on Thursday against Denmark.

Earlier, the Penguins ran a contest for kids where the winner would get to bring a Penguin to school for show and tell. The lucky winner brought Pascal Dupuis to her school, where he answered questions from the kids and read them a story. There’s a video on the Penguins site and it’s adorable. Lucky kids!

Sidney Crosby decided to try out his luck at horse racing. He was spotted at the Kentucky Derby, taking in the races and trying to shove his hands into his way too small pockets. I wonder if he won or lost money. The winner, I’ll Have Another, was a Canadian horse, so maybe he bet on it… Who would have thought Crosby was a betting man?

Top 5 Goals of the Season

Despite what happened in the Stanley Cup playoffs this year, let’s remember that during the regular season, the Pens were one of the hottest teams in the league. The goals they scored were certainly ones to remember.

Let’s take a short walk down memory lane and remember 5 of the best Penguins goals scored this season

 

 

 

Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah, Stayin’ Alive! Stayin’ Alive!

Staal So Hard

The Pens aren’t going down without a fight.

With the Flyers leading the series 3-0, this game was do or die for the Penguins. And they did. Oh Lord, did they did.

The Flyers opened up the scoring, but the Pens quickly answered back with a goal by Evgeni Malkin. Many were questioning when Malkin, who had yet to score a goal this series, was going to start. He chose tonight. It was his first of two.

With a final score of 10-3 for the Penguins, there were a lot of goal scorers. But Jordan Staal stole the show with his first play off hat trick.

Crosby, who made headlines for his on ice antics during game 3, scored a goal in a 3 point night for him.

Marc-Andre Fleury, who had been absolutely abysmal the past three games, saved 22 of the 25 shots he faced. It looked like his old self was back.

While it finally feels amazing to talk about a Penguins win, this isn’t the last one. We need to win 3 more to make it to the next round. If the Penguins continue playing like this, then there’s a chance we can do it.

Remember, nothing worth winning ever came easy.