PITTSBURGH — Sid the Kid is back.
Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby will make his season debut tonight against the New York Islanders, his first game in nearly a year since being sidelined with concussion-like symptoms.
Crosby hasn’t played since taking head shots in consecutive games in January against Washington and Tampa Bay.
The 2007 NHL MVP spent the last 10 months undergoing a painstakingly thorough rehabilitation that left him wondering when — or even if — he would play again and forced the league to take a harsher stance when it comes to policing head hits.
His return ends weeks of speculation that appeared to put the ever-polite Crosby on edge but hardly bothered his teammates. The 24-year-old declined repeated interview requests in recent weeks as the speculation about a possible return date reached a fever pitch.
The announcement made an immediate splash. Versus quickly said it would televise the Islanders-Penguins game instead of its previously scheduled broadcast of Boston’s trip to Montreal.
Crosby missed the remainder of the 2010-11 season after taking a hit from Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman on Jan. 5. The expected brief absence turned into an extended one.
He vowed to be ready for training camp but spent much of the summer in seclusion in his native Canada, his silence fueling speculation his career may be in jeopardy.
Crosby was cleared Sunday after meeting with his medical team, and coach Dan Bylsma could feel Crosby’s excitement when he was given the OK.
“He’s excited and anxious,” Bylsma said.
