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Sidney Crosby morning skate usage hints at Penguins plans for him vs Golden Knights
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Taylor Haase's Vegas skate report says Sidney Crosby skated again, but Pittsburgh's extra line and unchanged combinations still point to him sitting.
That is the real signal. Not the regular jersey, not the buzz, but deployment.
Crosby has 27-32-59 in 56 games and carries an $8.7 million cap hit through 2026-27, yet Thursday's question is lineup function, not contract math.
Haase also had Samuel Girard on the ice in a regular jersey, then leaving early. Girard is 27, a 2016 second-round pick by Nashville, and his $5 million cap hit runs through 2026-27.
So the Penguins, 32-17-15 heading into Vegas, look set to lean on familiar pairs and a patched-together middle six again. That matters more than the optics.
The unchanged Rakell and Rust setup says Pittsburgh wants clean exits and quick support around the puck. The extra Crosby, Hayes, Malkin unit reads like rehab rhythm, not a tactical reveal.
Sidney Crosby keeps Pittsburgh Penguins in wait mode
Fans can talk themselves into the regular jersey, but this morning felt like caution wearing a superstar's number.
Hayes, whose retained hit sits at $3.57 million, and Malkin, in the final year of a $6.1 million AAV deal, were parked beside Crosby again. That screams contingency, not clearance.
Since Girard cannot go, Karlsson and Letang shoulder even more of the puck-moving load. Since Crosby cannot go, Pittsburgh needs Rakell, Rust and Novak to own the first ten minutes.
That is why this skate matters. It did not answer the long-term question, but it drew a sharp line around tonight.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 12|66 ANSWERS Sidney Crosby morning skate usage hints at Penguins plans for him vs Golden Knights Should Sidney Crosby play for the Pittsburgh Penguins before he is fully ready? | ||
| Yes | 8 | 12.1 % |
| No | 58 | 87.9 % |
| List of polls | ||