Crosby admits to injuries and feeling old as he declines World Championship invitation

The Pittsburgh Penguins faced the media on Thursday morning as they cleaned out their dressing room following their surprising elimination in four games at the hands of the New York Islanders. Captain Sidney Crosby admitted that the team should have done better in the first round of the playoffs, however, he had more to reveal today as reporters had many more questions. 

Crosby failed to record a goal during the four-game series which prompted fans and pundits to wonder if the star player was playing fully healthy. When reporters asked him if he would join Team Canada at the upcoming World Championship, Crosby talked about his health... and his age. 

"As you get older there are things that nag you," Crosby said. "I'm trying to take care of those."

"When you get swept and you lose the way we did, there’s always going to be questions and you have to evaluate things."

While Crosby didn't go into what nagging ailments were bothering him and needed him to get some rest this summer, he is right about getting older. The 31-year-old forward has played for 14 seasons. Many players have called it a career after so many years in the league. 

This season, Crosby wowed again, finishing with his first 100-point season since 2013-14. He was held to just one assist in four playoff games against the Islanders.

Crosby's teammate and goalie Matt Murray announced that he would join Team Canada at the upcoming World Championship. The tournament will be held from May 10 to May 26 in Slovakia.

But Crosby will be resting and trying to find a way to stay forever young...