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Reporter Chris Johnston from Canada has gotten the word that Sidney Crosby’s season is over, as he apparently will not join Team Canada in the ongoing World Championships.
It sounds like Sidney Crosby will (understandably) opt for rest rather than joining Team Canada at the worlds. Played deep into the spring the last three years.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 8, 2018
2017: June 11, won Stanley Cup.
2016: June 12, won Stanley Cup.
2015: May 17, won gold at worlds.
Crosby played at Worlds in 2015, winning that tournament and certifying himself as a member of the elite hockey community of “Triple Gold”. Entry requires winning a WC, an Olympic Gold medal and a Stanley Cup and only 28 members are in it for all time.
That 2015 WC win kicked off quite a run for Crosby, who would win the 2016 Stanley Cup (and Conn Smythe).
Crosby’s 2016-17 started early as he played in the World Cup of Hockey, captaining Canada to another tournament win. Crosby was named the Tournament MVP. Later that season, of course, the Penguins would repeat as Stanley Cup champs with Crosby earning his second Conn Smythe.
Then this season Crosby played in all 82 NHL regular season games, for the first time in his illustrious career. Add on the 12 more playoff games that Pittsburgh had and it was another long season in an exhausting run over the past few years.
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Crosby’s totals since May 2015
Evgeni Malkin is also sitting this one out due to the knee injury he suffered last series.
We have yet to hear about other Pens players who may be asked by their countries to play. Patric Hornqvist and Carl Hagelin usually play for Sweden when asked, but Hagelin may be too injured to be interested. Ditto Phil Kessel for USA, especially with his sometimes contentious relationship with Team USA brass, probably a good bet Phil is going to enjoy his summer starting now as well. Olli Maatta may be asked to play for Finland. Tom Kuhnhackl is probably a good bet to join zee Germans.
But, it’s good that Crosby will get time off to heal, rest and recover from any lingering issues that come with so much hockey and no extended breaks recently. Knowing him, he’ll be back to his legendary training regimen to prepare for the 2018-19 season soon enough. For now, even though he’d rather be playing NHL playoffs, he’s earned the break to get the chance at some rare down-time in the lead up for next season.