BY RYAN DIXON
SPORTSNET STAFF
When the NHL’s mega-star is weighing in on headshots, it’s time for the league to listen.
Sidney Crosby’s concussion troubles have been a hot hockey topic for nine months now and while there’s still uncertainty surrounding his return, the fact the 24-year-old superstar is willing to share his thoughts on headshots represents some reason for optimism.
Speaking at a news conference in Pittsburgh alongside Penguins GM Ray Shero and two doctors who have treated him during his recovery, Crosby expressed his hope headshots can be eliminated from the NHL game.
Noting he had read that of the roughly 50,000 bodychecks thrown during the season, only about 50 could be deemed headshots, Crosby said, "to take those out, the game is not going to change.
"At the end of the day, I don’t think there’s a reason not to take them out."
Nobody in the hockey world expected to tune in to Crosby’s press conference and learn the Penguins and his doctors were ready to put a firm timetable on his return. The seriousness of Crosby’s concussion was spelled out by Dr. Michael Collins, who said he knew immediately after diagnosing Crosby back in January that he was in for a long recovery.
That convalescence period isn’t over yet and, as was reiterated by all involved on Wednesday, won’t be until Crosby is determined to have fully healed from his injury. And while everyone who spoke — including Sid himself — expressed genuine confidence Crosby will play again at some point, when asked directly if there was any chance he might never skate in the NHL again, Crosby offered: "There’s a pretty slight one; I wouldn’t bet on that."
What you can take to the bank is that it would be a wonderful thing for the NHL, game of hockey and sports in general if a person with Crosby’s megastar status continued to speak openly about steps that need to be taken in order to curb concussions. Even from the time he was a 15-year-old playing major junior hockey, Crosby’s skills with the media have seemed as polished as his talents on the ice.
But you get the sense, with the topic of headshots obviously having become an intensely personal one for him in 2011, he’s ready to shed the "say what’s safe" approach and offer direct commentary on what is quite possibly the most important issue in sports today.
Crosby noted the game remains fast, exciting and awesome, but added: "We’ve got to kind of adjust with things too, and it’s an important thing to look at."
If the game’s biggest star is lobbying for change, there will be no looking away.
