Latest on Crosby
According to GM Ray Shero, Sidney Crosby will join the team for gameday skates but has not been cleared for practices.
There is a big difference between gameday skates and practices. However, it’s still another big step in the right direction.
With five games remaining in the regular season, the Penguins do not expect Crosby to return in the regular season.
Shero said during today’s media session that the team has no expectations that Crosby will return in the regular season.
Crosby returning in the regular season has often been seen as a longshot since his accelerated progression over the past week.
There is no timetable from the team yet and based on Shero’s demenor, the team is remaining very cautious.
The plan according to the team is for Crosby to skate in game-day skates but not full practices between game skates. He is not cleared for contact in practices.
It is expected that Crosby is at least 2 weeks from full clearance. The Penguins are still taking things day-to-day.
In terms of playing in the playoffs for us, that’s still two or three weeks away, ” GM Ray Shero said. “I don’t want to take away any hope from Crosby, but to return to game action for the Stanley Cup playoffs takes a certain level of fitness and game readiness, and he is certainly not close to that at this point.”
The playoffs begin on April 13-14.