As Crosby sees it

Sunday, 06 January 2013 09:21

Written by Dave Molinari

Penguins center Sidney Crosby had a predicable reaction to the tentative CBA agreement that could bring the NHL out of suspended animation.

"I'm pretty happy and excited that things finally got settled," he said.

Crosby is healthier than he has been in two years -- a concussion and neck injury forced him to miss extended stretches of the past two seasons -- and clearly is pumped up about playing again.

"It probably has been difficult and frustrating for everyone," he said. "For players, for owners and for fans.

"In my case, with the injuries and that stuff, it seemed like a longer wait. I'm excited to get back in the swing of things. I've missed the routine (of playing in the NHL), missed competing."

While it still has not been determined whether the schedule will consist of 48 or 50 games, it is guaranteed to be more compressed than in a typical season, with games averaging about one every two nights.

Crosby doesn't see that as a major issue for the Penguins, however.

"I think there are challenges, but that's something we've seen in the past with Olympic years," he said. "Long sseasons and short ones present different challenges.

"(In a short one), you have to make sure you start well and you don't ... get into a funk and drop too many (games) in a row."