Sidney Crosby: Should the Penguins Superstar Sit out the 2011 Season?

The Pittsburgh Penguins must do right by their franchise and sit franchise megastar Sidney Crosby for the 2011 season.

Crosby has been out with a devastating concussion since January 5. It’s difficult to recall the last time somebody was out that long, but I commend the Penguins organization for not pressuring him to return last season. They need to continue that trend and not pressure him to return this year.

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“The Pittsburgh Penguins star said Wednesday he's continuing to recover from concussion-like symptoms that have sidelined him since last January, adding it's ‘likely’ he'll return to play this season,” according to ESPN’s Staff.

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Crosby, the best player in the NHL, seems determined to come back this year, but Pittsburgh needs to put the kibosh on that for the sake of their superstar and franchise. They were right to play it safe last year and should not risk their future for one season.

This team is still loaded with enough talent to make a Stanley Cup run. The core group of Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Chris Kunitz and Marc-Andre Fleury is still better than most in the NHL. They will still thrive and lead the Penguins deep into the postseason as long as they have the proper preparation.

These men need to understand that they will be without Crosby this season, which will put them in a completely different state of mind. They’ll enjoy an “us against the world” mentality since everyone would be against them heading into the season.

They would play better without the possibility of reinforcements swooping in during the season to “save” them, which is exactly what the feeling will be all season if the Penguins and Crosby remain adamant about him returning.

The Penguins are a dynasty in the making even if this year is a wash without Crosby. When Crosby returns in 2012, they will be the clear-cut favorites to win it all. He would be healthy and ready to lead the Pens back to the promised land.

It is reassuring that Pittsburgh and Crosby understand he must be 100 percent healthy to play this year.

"Maybe I can get by with 90 percent, maybe I couldn't but I'm not going to roll the dice with that," Crosby said, according to ESPN.

It may hurt Penguins fans to be without Crosby, but they need to look towards the future—a future with Crosby. If he rushes back this season or even plays at all, he will be at a much higher risk to suffer another concussion.

I don’t doubt that Crosby will play again, neither does Crosby. While acknowledging there's a "slight chance" he may never play again, Crosby quickly added, "I wouldn't bet on that," according to ESPN.

Let’s keep it that way, shall we? Let’s not put the man at risk this year. Let him overcome his symptoms, which have hindered his ability to watch TV and drive due to fogginess and migraines, according to ESPN.

If he suffers another big hit this year, or even worse, another concussion, we may be without the best player in the world forever.

We're lucky that didn't happen this time. We're lucky he has a chance to play hockey again at a high level.

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"I see this as a manageable injury and we're making progress in Sid's case and I anticipate Sid returning to hockey and playing well in the future," said [Dr. Michael] Collins, according to TSN's Staff.

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His 2011 absence is a sacrifice the Penguins and hockey fans must accept and make. Crosby is too important to the progression of the sport. He is one of the few polarizing superstars everyone wants to watch. He brings out the best of everyone on the ice and is one of the most exciting players to ever bless us.

It is imperative he sits out the entire season to overcome his crippling symptoms, and mentally and physically prepare for the grueling NHL season in 2012.

Is the 2011 season worth risking the next 10 years of greatness he will provide to Pittsburgh and hockey fans across the world?

I didn’t think so.