Petr Sykora's season is over

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 10, 2009 2:23 PM EDT in News Comment 16 comments

Pittsburgh Penguins' Petr Sykora of the Czech Republic takes a break during during NHL hockey practice at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh Friday, May 22, 2009 in Pittsburgh. The Penguins lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals over the Carolina Hurricanes two games to none. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

8 months ago: Pittsburgh Penguins' Petr Sykora of the Czech Republic takes a break during during NHL hockey practice at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh Friday, May 22, 2009 in Pittsburgh. The Penguins lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals over the Carolina Hurricanes two games to none. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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The second nugget in as many days here on Pensburgh for TSN's Darren Dreger...Petr Sykora suffered an injury that will keep him out for next game.

Sykora was seen gingerly leaving Mellon Arena on Wednesday on crutches, sporting a brace on his right foot and ankle.

Sykora confirmed to TSN the injury occurred in the second period of Game 6 after he blocked a shot.

Tough break, probably literally....Of course, being a hockey player, Sykora took a shift on the power-play in the 3rd period after sustaining the injury.

Now that Sykora's season over, one has to wonder if his stint as a Penguin is too. Be it through injury or being tired, Sykora only scored 2 goals in his last 24 games (dating back to late February) and has been a scratch for most of the Penguins playoff run.

If this is the end of the line for Sykie, the Penguins have another hole as a top 6 forward to fill. Sykora's cap hit was a reasonable $2.5 million dollars. Playing mainly aside Evgeni Malkin, Sykora scored 53 goals and 56 assists in 157 regular season games with the Pittsburgh. For his career, Sykora has exactly 300 NHL goals.

Known as a clutch player, Sykora has 69 points in 115 career NHL playoff games, including the famous game winner of last year's triple over-time game in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final. Sykora has 9 game winning playoff goals.

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That sucks. I do a nice write-up on the guy and his return and he’s down for the count. This wasn’t the finish he wanted with the Penguins, I’m sure, but sacrificing his already wounded body to block a shot at a key point in the game is fairly heroic.

Best of luck wherever the road takes you, Petr, and I hope to see you holding the Cup on Friday night one way or another. You deserve it, bud.

by Malsby on Jun 10, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Man, the poor guy didn’t catch a break all season. Last year he started off with a broken nose. This year he had an upper-respiratory infection and then tweaked his hammy/groin when he came back. Definitely a rough year for him.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 10, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

if your going to go out, what a way to go out.

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 10, 2009 2:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sykora’s effort last night was unbelieveable. I watched a replay of one of his shifts about halfway through the game and he threw his body around like no other. A couple of hits on that shift not to mention the key blocked shot. To me he was that guy in the movies that’s down and out, and just comes back to make a final sacrifice.

Don’t know what will happen with him during the off season, but good luck to him.

by PSU120 on Jun 10, 2009 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

aw man

after the way he played this game, i was so pumped to have him playing for us next game too

by t1mmy10 on Jun 10, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He did what he was meant to do and did it well. He’s not the shot-blocking type but he looked like a pro out there last night. The fact he offered up his body to block a shot, risking injury in the face of free agency this season, also says a lot about his character. The guy’s a team player through and through.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 10, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’d love to see him back for a 2 year deal around 2 Mil a pop.

by tehchico on Jun 10, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he said mid-season he wanted a half million a year raise…don’t really see that happening.

by bbill on Jun 10, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wasn’t Darren Dreger also the guy from TSN that said Gonchar was out of the playoffs, too?

"Oh, buy Sam a drink and get his dog one too!" - Mike Lange

by gorgalor on Jun 10, 2009 9:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I feel bad for the guy, that sucks, but playing a potential 28 extra games in the post season is a very arduous task.

On the other hand- we got a game 7 here! NOTHING BEATS A STANLEY CUP FINAL GAME 7!!!! ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!!!! Heck- Satan could end up scoring 3 goals to win the cup for all ya know! Time to go to the schoolyard for all the marbles!

by PittsburghCaniac on Jun 10, 2009 11:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That’s really too bad. Sykora had a strong game last night. Provided good energy and marvelous shot blocking. If the Pens win on Friday, I’d like to see Sykora with a jersey and on the ice. (see 2000 game 6 finals)

Where hockey injuries in San Diego are thumb blisters from playing too much NHL 09

by Will Bulldozer on Jun 11, 2009 1:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed.

if i was playing that would be the only way i would sit out. blocking a shot, breaking something and making the best clearing attempt of the game when the wings had so much pressure on. that play he got injured on and the play he made can not be overstated

" I AM CAPATIN CHAOS, and this is my trusty Sidekick cato. Say hello Cato"
Dom Deluise 1933-2009, Cannonball run

by oldtimehockey09 on Jun 11, 2009 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I posted a Fanshot -_-_->>>

A quote stating that Bylsma has not ruled him out yet. I heard this on the radio pretty late this afternoon(Thursday).

-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.

by pascaldupweevil on Jun 12, 2009 12:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It would be interesting to see him dressed, considering he was walking out of mellon on Tuesday with crutches (or so I heard).

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 12, 2009 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

new report from Joe Starkey

He was at the morning skate, and told the guys on 1250am that Sykora was in a boot and will not play, which is too bad. Whether he’s here next year or not, I’ve certainly enjoyed having him around.

So it will be Satan, most likely. Not bad at all. This guy has played 1000+ regular season games and hasn’t a Cup yet. Hopefully he feels like he’s due, and plays like it.

-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.

by pascaldupweevil on Jun 12, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs