The Nightmare Continues

Penguin fans, welcome to your nightmare. Penguin superstar Sidney Crosby is still experiencing symptoms from his concussion (or concussions, depending on whom you want to believe) suffered in the Winter Classic. He had to shut down his offseason workout routine because he started to experience headaches when training at 90% capacity. Furthermore it was revealed by the Penguins that Crosby has seen multiple specialists in an effort to get answers about the extent of the injury.

Just days after denying a claim that Crosby didn't suffer a setback in his recovery from a concussion Pat Brisson, Crosby's agent, gave Penguins fans more reason to worry, "We always knew this was going to be a progressive recovery -- based on how he felt," Brisson said in Wednesday's statement. "With a concussion, there is not a finite recovery period like with a shoulder injury or a knee injury. That's why we've never even set a specific goal for a return date like the start of training camp or Oct. 1 or anything else. He will play when he is symptom free."

Just to recap, on Monday Brisson said Crosby was still working out, presumably in order to be ready for camp. Two days later, it is revealed that Crosby has been experiencing symptoms and now he is traveling all over the country to see specialists. What a difference a few days make.

They key part of Brisson's statement is the last sentence. He will play when he is symptom free. It has been 9 long months since Crosby has been injured. He has not been able to shake the symptoms yet. Concussions are a scary thing and have forced other greats of the game to retire. Pat LaFontaine had to retire due to multiple concussions, as did Eric Lindross (with a little help from Darius Kasparitis) and most recently Paul Karyia.

There is no guarantee that Crosby will ever get back to 100%. Let that sink in for a second. There is a possibility, however small it may be, that Sidney Crosby has played his last game in the NHL. It's a nauseating thought.

The only good news that has come of these recent developments is that Crosby finally issued a statement through the Pens, "I appreciate all the support I've received from my family, friends, teammates and fans and from the entire Penguins organization," Crosby said. "I know they only want the best for my health, and for me to be fully ready when I return to game action."

This has to be absolutely killing Crosby inside. To have an injury like this has got to be the most frustrating thing he has ever had to deal with in his career. His fate doesn't lie in the hands of a surgeon. All he can do is wait, and wait some more. You can't rehab a concussion. Like Tom Petty sang, "The waiting is the hardest part."

It's hard on the fans, the Penguins organization, and most importantly Crosby and his family. Don't count on Crosby being ready for the start of the regular season. For Penguin fans, this is one nightmare that just won't end.



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