October is nearly over. The season started in September. Sidney Crosby has 7 points and only 3 goals. Are we witnessing the first time we cannot count on Sidney Crosby? I’m concerned that it’s even a question, because it’s certainly a valid one to ask.
There have been games where Sid looks completely disengaged, which is normal when he’s in a slump. He is also without his preferred winger, Bryan Rust, for at least several more weeks. His other winger, Rickard Rakell, has looked a step slow, but his game is beginning to round into form (goals in each of his last two games). Regardless of his wingers, at least historically, the Penguins captain has always found ways to put up points. Those points aren’t coming yet.
If those points never begin flooding in, the Penguins are destined to be a lottery team. No matter the youth on the way, or the admirable play of Malkin to start the season, the Penguins still rely on the 39-year-old living legend to produce. Without Sid’s production, this team is done.
I still believe he has a 20-point-in-10-games stretch in him, but the longer we go without it, the more fearful I get that it isn’t coming.
I also worry about his contract status. Sid has entered the final season of his deal without an extension in place. I’m not sure it’s weighing on his mind, but he is a creature of extreme habit. If the contract is even an inkling of an issue mentally, he should just sign. I know he’s worried about how his play progresses, but he’s not retiring. He’s also not leaving. So get him signed and get rid of anything that could be weighing on his mind.
Despite the concerns, I still see the legs working. I see the hands working too. He’s still got that dog in him, which was highlighted by his shootout goal against Dallas after he was left out of the shootout the game before. Yet something is clearly wrong.
I believe the biggest issue to be his linemates. Give him a new look. Maybe Robertson deserves another chance. Maybe Kindel does. Maybe Koivunen. I don’t know, but he needs some sort of jolt.
I’ll never be concerned about Sidney Crosby, but his start to the season is warranting the question for the first time in over two decades. How do you feel about Sid?
