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Sidney Crosby and coach Dan Bylsma differ over how Marc-Andre Fleury should be used

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One thing we’ve grown accustomed to from Penguins captain and superstar Sidney Crosby is that he’s generally a pretty bland guy when it comes to speaking out about anything. He’s careful with the media to a point where he’s virtually boring to talk to and when you’re arguably the biggest star in the league, you can’t help but feel just a little bit disappointed by that.

When it comes to speaking with him about his friends on the team that are struggling at the moment, however, it appears that Sid is a little bit easier to let loose with his thoughts. Such is the case when Crosby was asked about his thoughts on how struggling Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is being used while he’s playing poorly. Turns out that Crosby and Pens head coach Dan Bylsma differ in their opinions on how Fleury should be used. Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review gets the low down on the coach and the Kid having philosophical differences.

Coach Dan Bylsma strongly hinted otherwise Monday. He indicated Brent Johnson will start for the Penguins at home Wednesday night -- adding that Fleury, the club’s struggling franchise goalie, “doesn’t have (confidence) right now.”

Crosby’s assessment differs. He thinks Fleury needs to play his way out of a funk.

“He’s going to have good games. It’s not like he can change overnight. He’s going to put strings of games together, and he can’t do that with one game. So, you’ve got to be patient, too, and let him get back there,” he said after a practice at Southpointe Iceoplex.

“With a goalie, you’ve got to give him time. He’s got to play four or five games maybe to prove that, but to sit here and question his psyche doesn’t really give him a chance.”


Before we get into this, let’s give it up for Sidney Crosby stepping up and saying something, anything, that’s at all worth discussing and generating discussion about things going on with the Pens. Many have gotten on Crosby’s case for being a captain at such a young age, but it appears he’s ready to start acting out in the media like a captain as well by letting his thoughts be known.

Fleury’s struggles this season are certainly a big deal for the Pens who have dealt with inconsistent play in goal as well as from their power play. The Pens problems certainly aren’t limited to goaltending but the team is still winning games so it’s tough to get really worked up about how things are going. If the Pens can’t get Fleury right, however, the long term effects of that on the team this season could lead to the Pens ending up fighting a bit harder for a top spot in the Eastern Conference.