Yesterday afternoon, Sidney Crosby took part in speaking to the media along with other Metropolitan Division players.
The Carolina Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal, the New York Rangers’ Marc Staal, and the Philadelphia Flyers’ Claude Giroux all took part in offering their thoughts on the current status of the league, with play suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
NHL players, they're just like us. They use Zoom! pic.twitter.com/skv5hFuLav
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) March 26, 2020
The quotes were gathered by Pens Inside Scoop’s Sam Kasan.
Crosby on his current state: "I'm in Pittsburgh. Like everyone else I'm doing what's recommended and staying patient. It's nothing I've ever experienced before. I'm trying to make the best of it and doing what I can to get through it."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 26, 2020
Crosby is bang-on when mentioning that it’s something he’s never experienced before. Even during past work stoppages, the world was still moving along, this is a little different.
Crosby on staying in shape: "We don't have a ton of resources. You make the best with what you have. Try to be professional as best we can and be in the best shape we can possibly be in with the situation. There's nothing like skating, but you make the best of it."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 26, 2020
Here is where I picture Sidney Crosby trying to do a workout in his home that mimics skating.
Crosby on a teammate he'd like be stuck in with quarantine: "Kris Letang. He's in the know. He has all the info. I feel like I'd have a better sense if I was stuck with him."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 26, 2020
Noted media consumer Kris Letang!
Crosby on his workouts: "I haven't gotten that creative. You do the best that you can. I have a bike. Pushups. It's old school at this point. Whatever you can get done you get done. That's what I've been doing."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 26, 2020
Crosby on communication with teammates: "Nowadays it's pretty easy to keep in touch with everybody. and everyone has a group chat. You can use that to keep in touch. You keep things light. If you need something done or figure something out you can do that."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 26, 2020
Just like the rest of us, the Penguins are using group chats and probably sharing hot takes and fire memes.
Crosby on how to resume play: "You try to get in as many games as you can. I wouldn't mind starting right at the playoffs. But there are a lot of guys in different situations. The more games you can play the better integrity of it. Get as many games as you can."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 26, 2020
It’s interesting that he suggested a specific plan of how to start play when the league resumes.
Crosby on the current state: "With us initially we were supposed to play a game in Columbus without any fans. Right away we knew it was serious. That kind of hit me, and going through that. Halfway through that day we found out we weren't playing."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 26, 2020
Crosby on people coming together: "Seeing everyone take this serious and do what they need to do, not only for their own health but for other people around them."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 26, 2020
Crosby on recommendations for young players right now: "I just shot pucks, that's pretty much it. ... It's a good way to pass the time. They have lots of time to do it. There's no excuse now. Just have fun with it and be creative."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 26, 2020
Pour one out for the parents’ dryers around the tri-state area.
Marc Staal on what he misses about facing Crosby : "SId's always slashing me on the back of the legs so I don't miss that (laughs)"
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) March 26, 2020
I’m sure Crosby misses getting hit with sticks too!
Claude Giroux on facing Jordan Staal (and Sidney Crosby): "They cheat so much in faceoffs, I don't miss that."
— Michael Smith (@MSmithCanes) March 26, 2020
It’s nice to see the players take the time to chat when there isn’t anything else going on, really.