NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins: Defending Sidney Crosby on Sitting Instead of Playing

The Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in Game 7 of the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sidney Crosby, Penguins captain, will not be in uniform, and even if the Penguins win, he may not be back for the playoffs entirely.

Crosby got injured in early January and hasn’t played since. He suffered a concussion and people suggested, and believed, that he would be back sooner rather than later.

They were mistaken, though. Similar to the Major League Baseball's Justin Morneau, Crosby’s concussion has lingered for longer than expected.

All I hear around town is how Crosby should be playing. They mention how “soft” he is. Of course, these are mostly the bandwagon fans that the Penguins have picked up since Crosby came into the league in 2005.

It is frustrating to listen to these fans that weren’t hockey fans in the '90s speak about how soft he is. Concussions are different with every single person who attains them. Yes, I would agree that it is very frustrating to sit here and wait for his return, but so what?

Who cares if he comes back this season? Sure, it would help the team’s offense significantly, faceoffs, leadership and experience, but a real fan of the game should worry about the longtime affects.

If the medical staff says he can play with contact, then he should be out there. He wants to be out there more than anybody could imagine.

I have no problem with waiting until next season if need be. I just want Crosby to be back 100 percent healthy by next season.

Who knows how he will be regardless of the time frame, but if it is just an ounce safer to wait until October then I have no problem with it. Real Penguins fans shouldn’t have a problem with that, either.