Sidney Crosby's agent speaks out on rumor he may play in Game 7.
Crosby's agent shares his thoughts.
In spite of the fact that there have been reports Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will play tonight in Game 7 of the Penguins opening round Stanley Cup playoff series against the New York Rangers, those reports may have been somewhat premature.
It is not always common for a player agent in the National Hockey League to speak about the health of his client, but on Sunday Crosby's agent Pat Brisson made comments to ESPN that appear to leave the status of the Penguins captain in doubt for Game 7. Brisson informed ESPN's Emily Kaplan that the final decision ahead of tonight's game would be made by a doctor, and added that the top priority here was not the Penguins playoff run but the long term health of Sidney Crosby.
"The word concussion can be used loosely but head injuries are very serious," said Brisson as per ESPN. "The Penguins are being careful and smart about this. Most important is Sidney’s well being as a person. A final decision [tonight] will be made by the doctor."
Following reports from the likes of Josh Yohe my money would still be on Crosby suiting up for Game 7 this evening, but the fact that Brisson has now come out and made these comments does cast some doubt over what once seemed like a forgone conclusion.
Crosby would of course be impossible to replace in the lineup. Not only is Crosby a key figure in the team's offense, having recorded 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points in just 5 games played in this series, but head coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged that his presence alone serves to inspire the other men around him.
"I think any time he's on the ice, I think it's good for our team, it's good for our players, it's good for our morale," said Sullivan last week. "That's certainly a boost for our guys."
It would now appear that we will have to wait until the Penguins hit the ice for warm ups to know one way or another if Crosby will be inserted into tonight's lineup for certain.
