Penguins General Manager wouldn't let Sidney Crosby play!

PUBLICATION

Dan
May 17, 2022 (12:42)

SHARE THIS STORY

After suffering an upper body injury that looked quite serious in game 5 of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the New York Rangers, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was evaluated for a concussion, cleared, and kept out of the line-up until the eventual game 7 loss against the Rangers.

This morning, Head Coach Mike Sullivan provided an update on captain Sidney Crosby. https://t.co/l2DTfg8IlW� KDKA (@KDKA) May 12, 2022

Hockey insider Rob Rossi has reported that despite being cleared for a concussion Penguins GM Ron Hextall intervened and told Crosby he could not play.

.@Real_RobRossi says on @937theFan that Ron Hextall told Sidney Crosby that he couldnt play in game 6. Even though he passed his concussion test and wanted to play. What made Hextall think he knew more than the doctors? Or was Hextall told by ownership to be precautious with Sid?� Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) May 16, 2022

While the veracity of this report is questionable, and many fans have expressed skepticism, you have to appreciate Hextall looking out for Crosby's health if this is true.

Though frequently criticized for the injuries that have sidelined his quite impressive career, Crosby has a history of being subject to dirty hits that should be taken out of the NHL entirely, and you can't blame Hextall and the Penguins braintrust for being cautious with the face of their franchise.