PITTSBURGH — Injured center Sidney Crosby will practice with the Penguins when they open training camp today. When he returns to game action is another story.
“Seeing Sidney Crosby on the ice in that jersey and at practice, it’s always good to see that,” coach Dan Bylsma said Friday. “He’ll be out there with his teammates participating.”
That’s a positive step for the Penguins captain, who was victimized by hard hits in successive games Jan. 1 and 5 and was forced to miss the rest of the regular season and the first-round playoff series vs. the Lightning with a concussion. But there is no telling when Crosby will take the ice with the team in a game. The Penguins open the preseason Wednesday against the Red Wings, and open the regular season vs. the Canucks on Oct. 6.
“I’m just excited to get out there,” Crosby said, as he and his teammates reported to camp Friday. “I don’t know about special. I think I’m just excited to be with the guys and practice with the team and prepare and go through all of the fun stuff of being a hockey player. As challenging as it is, as tough as it is, that’s why you play the game.”
Meanwhile, forward Evgeni Malkin, recovering from a knee injury, is expected to be ready for the season.
Kings make “best” offer to Doughty
LOS ANGELES — General manager Dean Lombardi said the Kings have made their “best” offer to restricted free agent Drew Doughty and will consider reducing that amount each day the 21-year-old defenseman is unsigned.
“We all know he’s a lively kid. He loves to play. He brings life to your room, let alone what type of player he is,” Lombardi said after the remaining players underwent physical exams and fitness tests to open training camp. “That said, we have to move on here and focus on what we have, and we have a good team.”
After Doughty rejected the Kings’ initial nine-year proposal, Lombardi came back with six to eight years at an average of $6.8 million a year. Doughty is believed to be seeking $7 million a year.
Footnotes.
The Flyers named defenseman Chris Pronger the 18th captain in team history and selected defenseman Kimmo Timonen and forward Danny Briere as alternate captains.
• The Chicago Blackhawks said forwards Patrick Kane (wrist) and Patrick Sharp (appendectomy) are on schedule in their recoveries from surgery. Kane will practice but won’t have full contact, while Sharp is expected back in a few weeks.
• The Islanders agreed to a two-year contract with 21-year-old center Josh Bailey.
