On Friday morning, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review featured a story that indicates a locker room rift is developing within the Penguins organization. In short, the article cautioned that the Penguins were growing tired of the amount of time it is taking Sidney Crosby to rehab from concussion-like symptoms. The author, Dejan Kovacevic, claimed that three sources say a group of players recently held a meeting to discuss naming a new temporary captain. One other source disputed the story. After seeing what went on at Penguins practice in Friday, one would assume the latter source knows what he or she is talking about.
The photo above was featured on the Pittsburgh Penguins website. As you can see, the players wasted no time taking the opportunity to mock the story by all rocking the captain’s “C” on their sweaters.
“That was a nice gesture,” Crosby said according to PittsburghPenguins.com. “I think especially at a time like this when things are tough and there’s obviously some adversity with the injuries and with a few losses, we need to stick together. I think that was a good sign right there of sticking together. Whenever you have adversity I think there’s always times when it’s kind of in question or your team’s in question, your character is in question. I don’t think there’s ever been a point (like that) with our group. So it’s good to see everyone sticking together and I think we’ll see the results out there on the ice.”
“When someone says we don’t want Sid as our captain, it’s pretty ridiculous,” forward James Neal added. “He’s an unbelievable player, unbelievable leader. He’s going to be captain here for a lot of years. In the room there is no doubt that he is our leader and he is our guy. … It’s a pretty stupid comment.”
Great bit by the Pens. I think it’s safe to say that immediately puts what the Tribune-Review wrote to rest. Nothing like making an instant statement.
Fist pound to Puck Daddy for passing the story along
