Pre-Camp Buzz: On Pens being more equipped w/o Crosby & banking on Malkin

*Hockey is back. Players report to camp Friday morning and will go through physicals/conditioning tests before Saturday's first on-ice session.

Sidney Crosby's status remains unclear from a participation level in camp. The Penguins have remained mum on his status this week and it's not clear yet whether Crosby or the team will address his status tomorrow morning. If Crosby is cleared to participate in camp, it's expected to be on a limited basis and no contact.

*Two things I took from Dan Bylsma's comments at the team's annual golf tournament on Wednesday;  He feels the team is more equipped and prepared to withstand an extended period without Crosby and he is very intrigued by the strong competion the Penguins will have at forward and on the blueline.

Having months to prepare for the possibility that Crosby wouldn't be ready for camp, Bylsma and his staff appear ready to go from a Plan-B standpoint.

*Bylsma indicated to reporters at the team's rookie tournament that his ultimate plan is to play Chris Kunitz and James Neal together with Sidney Crosby, but with Crosby expected to be a no go, indications on the eve of camp are that the Penguins intend to split up their top two wingers. The plan to develop James Neal as a right winger is said to remain in place.

*The Penguins are banking on Evgeni Malkin getting back to being a 100 point player and he will not only go into camp coming off ACL surgery but is expected to have two new wingers on his wings.