Dissent in the Pens Locker Room?

Was reading a good article in the Trib today about Crosby and clearing up a few rumors.

One thing that may not be a rumor though is what's going on in the locker room.

Quote :

You're going to hear some of this stuff Friday when Crosby faces reporters at about noon in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. But let me lay this out now: The Penguins, the public and, yes, Crosby all need to learn how to handle this situation better in the future.

That begins with the locker room.

A few, certainly not all, of Crosby's teammates are of the mind that he's been symptom-free for a while, though they have no medical basis for that. Some think he should be playing. Some simply think he should be doing more to communicate, or at least be as visible as concussed defenseman Kris Letang.

Last week in Pittsburgh, according to three sources, a group of players held a 45-minute meeting to discuss a temporary captaincy. Another source disputed that any such meeting occurred.

If it did, were those players kidding?

Look, I get that the players are feeling the heat during this six-game losing streak. They're used to thinking about championships, not squeaking past Winnipeg for eighth place. I also get that when they see James Neal and Craig Adams tough out injuries, it highlights everyone who isn't doing likewise.

But moaning about who's wearing the "C?"

If the Penguins are serious about turning it around, they should focus on attacking the Florida Panthers on Friday night with the same energy they showed Wednesday in the 1-0 loss at Washington. There are plenty enough viable leaders in that room right now who should be holding themselves accountable for this losing streak.

Read more: Kovacevic: Crosby deserves better - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_776416.html#ixzz1jLjO9GdC


I agree with the article. These guys need to get their heads out of their asses. If it's bickering about Crosby that is dividing the team, the Byslma needs to rope that in REAL quick. They need to just put it in the back of their minds and know that he'd be playing if he could. Simple as that.

It seems that the 'Crosby' issue has diverted their attention. He's playing , he's not, he's playing, he's not...whatever. But regardless, whatever team is on the ice needs to play with 100% passion as they always have. The wins will come, and so will the playoffs.

I feel confident that Crosby will be back on the ice when he is healthy. I've wondered if he's being protected of sorts so that he's healthier for the playoffs? But now, with them being on the outside looking in, it is not the time to play that game. However, I see the other side of it, I don't want him to come back (like the guy from the Flyers), and end up with another huge concussion that sends him out of the game permanently.

stlrtruck wrote:

It seems that the 'Crosby' issue has diverted their attention. He's playing , he's not, he's playing, he's not...whatever. But regardless, whatever team is on the ice needs to play with 100% passion as they always have. The wins will come, and so will the playoffs.

I feel confident that Crosby will be back on the ice when he is healthy. I've wondered if he's being protected of sorts so that he's healthier for the playoffs? But now, with them being on the outside looking in, it is not the time to play that game. However, I see the other side of it, I don't want him to come back (like the guy from the Flyers), and end up with another huge concussion that sends him out of the game permanently.

Yeah, a guys brain and his career are nothing you want to play around with. And I'm thinking maybe Crosby has been told to take a step back from everything and focus on his workouts. I know last year he was at the practice facility and the rink quite often. He was a big presence there, and he got hounded daily by the media. I think he's just trying to keep it a little more low key this time.

I get the players are frustrated (some at least), but talk of a temporary captain is just ridiculous. That's why you have assistant captains. This kind of distraction is just the last thing the team needs.

Another thing mentioned in the article was that Crosby has been having balance issues, and neither him nor any of the doctors are sure whether it's from the concussion or not.

sorry the pens are going through a rough time............

vasteeler wrote:

sorry the pens are going through a rough time............

1975.

I don't know much about hockey, but could Arians have anything to do with it?

The article may, or may not, have taken some liberties as to how much dissent their is against Crosby not playing. Maybe THIS is what the meeting was about...

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=611468&cmpid=pit-fb-pghpenguins

Quote :

An absolutely amazing scene unfolded at this morning's skate, as all of the Pens hit the ice wearing homemade "C"s on their chests in solidarity for their captain Crosby.

Well, except for Evgeni Malkin...he opted to go with the Russian version "K."

Anyone questioning the Pens locker room just got their answer. Goosebumps.

You can write an article about anything if you simple say "according to sources."

Cmon....that's such bullshit.

The Penguins owned that idiot who wrote the article.

mcg24 wrote:

You can write an article about anything if you simple say "according to sources."

Cmon....that's such bullshit.

The Penguins owned that idiot who wrote the article.

They sure did! And I'm glad for it.

Great win by the Pens today...and great game by Geno. They just HAVE to start winning some divisional games. That's where they're really getting killed right now.

supytalpeht wrote:

I don't know much about hockey, but could Arians have anything to do with it?

I'm sorry but I found this hysterical...

As for the article, it is obviously BS. During the losing streak, they outplayed the opposition but just couldn't get a break. All the bounces went against them. Bylsma will get it turned around. Winning the last 2 games is a great start to putting the bad streak behind them.

SteelCityMom wrote:

mcg24 wrote:

You can write an article about anything if you simple say "according to sources."

Cmon....that's such bullshit.

The Penguins owned that idiot who wrote the article.

They sure did! And I'm glad for it.

Great win by the Pens today...and great game by Geno. They just HAVE to start winning some divisional games. That's where they're really getting killed right now.

Malkin is the best player in the world right now with Sidney Crosby out, and he proved it today. He has the ability to take over an entire game. The Lightning tied up that game and had all the momentum until Geno went off. Incredible to watch.