Pens GM Shero: Sidney Crosby hasn’t needed to be shut down this summer

With all the confusion that erupted yesterday when a report from XM Home Ice’s Josh Rimer said he heard through sources that Penguins captain and superstar Sidney Crosby would not be able to start the season thanks to continued struggles with concussion symptoms, you can’t fault the Penguins for doing their part to put out the fire. After all, when rumors swirl that have to do with not only your team’s most important player but also the league’s biggest star, it’s best to control the message.

Doing that is precisely what Penguins general manager Ray Shero is making sure to do.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Rob Rossi spoke with Shero to clear things up and find out just what’s up with Crosby as the offseason rolls along and the Pens captain continues his recovery. As you might expect, Shero cleared things up efficiently when it came to Crosby’s status.

“There are going to be some symptoms with this injury, but nothing where he’s had to shut it down or anything,” Shero said, noting that he was in contact with Crosby over the weekend. “He’s pushed himself, which is good.”

Crosby, who last played an NHL game Jan. 5 and was diagnosed with a concussion the next day, has not been cleared for contact by Dr. Michael Collins of UPMC — though Shero stressed that clearance is not expected to be sought until at least a week before training camp opens Sept. 16.

“There’s never been a situation where he’s needed to be cleared to play,” Shero said.

There you have it. Crosby’s been out of action for the Penguins since being put out of action thanks to suffering a concussion after being checked by Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman. If this sounds as if Shero’s not focusing on the short-term with Crosby, it’s because he isn’t. As he told Rossi, his concerns are with the long-term health of the superstar.

“There are going to be some symptoms with this injury, but nothing where he’s had to shut it down or anything. The main thing with him, or any player, is that he’s not going to be pushed, prodded until he’s 100 percent ready. My concern isn’t with Sept. 16, Oct. 6 or whenever; it’s making sure he’s comfortable when he returns to play, end of story. I’m about the bigger picture with this thing.”

This kind of approach to treating players with concussions is the kind that’s needed to be used more often. Too often we’ve seen players come back too soon from a head injury like this and do further damage to themselves by rushing back. Doing that with a guy as talented as Crosby is would be virtually criminal, not to mention self-destructive to the Penguins’ ends and means.

We’ll find out later today if Penguins coach Dan Bylsma will have anything else to add to this story as he’ll be speaking at a youth hockey camp. We’ll continue to follow up on this as warranted.