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Ben Kindel speaks on impact of Sidney Crosby's injury on team morale
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel spoke about the impact of captain Sidney Crosby's long-term injury on the rest of the team's morale as they try and break their playoff drought.
Even though captain Sidney Crosby remains out of the lineup because of an injury he suffered while playing for Team Canada in the Olympics late last month, the Penguins have gotten points in all three of their games after they returned to play.
Their most recent game was today, winning 5-0 over the visiting Vegas Golden Knights at PPG Paints Arena.
Rookie Ben Kindel, who had a goal and an assist, joined NHL analyst Darren Pang after the game and talked about the impact that Crosby continues to have on the team despite not being able to play yet.
I think that even when he's out of the lineup and injured, just his presence is felt. He's such a big part of that room, he's such a legend around here and all the guys, we look up to him. It's great to have him around still. - Ben Kindel
Kindel also said that as a rookie, he couldn't be happier to be playing in a Penguins sweater with a great group of guys in the room.
It's an unbelievable organization, we have such a good team with a great group of leaders, and I couldn't be more happy to be here. - Ben Kindel
Ben Kindel Is A Rookie On The Pittsburgh Penguins
Kindel, who was taken with the 11th overall pick by the Penguins in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft last summer, wasn't even born yet when Crosby began his NHL career in 2005.
Kindel played the last three years for the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, and has made a strong impact on the Penguins this year, wearing the old No. 81 sweater number of two-time Stanley Cup winner Phil Kessel.
So far in his rookie year, Kindel has 29 points (15G, 14A) in 56 games.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
ESPN overreacts to Sidney Crosby injury as Penguins depth drives 198 goals
ESPN overreacts to Sidney Crosby injury as Penguins depth drives 198 goals
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
MARS 1|171 ANSWERS Ben Kindel speaks on impact of Sidney Crosby's injury on team morale Can the Penguins maintain their position in the standings without Sidney Crosby? | ||
| Yes | 141 | 82.5 % |
| No | 30 | 17.5 % |
| List of polls | ||