Crosby out 6-8 weeks

By ALAN ROBINSON - AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH(AP) Sidney Crosby's high ankle sprain will force him to miss Sunday's NHL All-Star game and six to eight weeks of the season, a major setback that means the Pittsburgh Penguins must play most of their remaining schedule without the league's marquee player.

Crosby, the leading All-Star vote-getter, injured his right ankle Friday during the Penguins' 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay. If he takes eight weeks to heal _ and the recovery time for such an injury can vary greatly _ he would return in mid-March, with only about three weeks of the schedule remaining.

"I was hoping three to four weeks would be the most," Crosby said, talking Tuesday for the first time since he was hurt.

Crosby said he must be careful not to rush back and "tweak it a lot, and then we're back to square one. ... Right now, it's all about healing."

Team physician Charles Burke confirmed the injury was a high ankle sprain, but Crosby said there was no bone damage, which would have meant an even longer layoff.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," the 20-year-old Crosby said of the injury, the worst he's had since he began his hockey career. "It's going to be mentally tough as we go along (and he can't play)."

The Penguins placed their captain on the injured list Monday, a procedural move that allowed them to add an extra forward for their final two games before the break. The move was retroactive to Friday.

Other athletes who have had a high ankle sprain _ it is common in the NFL _ say it is frustrating because rehabilitation alone can't cure it and considerable rest is needed.

"The pain has eased a little as it goes along," said Crosby, who can't do his normal conditioning and strength-building routine while he is hurt.

I sent him a message through his MySpace & offered him round the clock nursing. He hasn't answered.

I wonder if that's not really his MySpace, because i KNOW he would have answered me.

I bet that meanie Rachel deleted my message.

IcePrincess wrote:

I sent him a message through his MySpace & offered him round the clock nursing. He hasn't answered. I wonder if that's not really his MySpace, because i KNOW he would have answered me. I bet that meanie Rachel deleted my message.

Get well Sid!

IcePrincess wrote:

I sent him a message through his MySpace & offered him round the clock nursing. He hasn't answered. I wonder if that's not really his MySpace, because i KNOW he would have answered me. I bet that meanie Rachel deleted my message.

Please Sidney has better things to do then get on myspace.

TornadoGirl83 wrote:

IcePrincess wrote: I sent him a message through his MySpace & offered him round the clock nursing. He hasn't answered. I wonder if that's not really his MySpace, because i KNOW he would have answered me. I bet that meanie Rachel deleted my message. Please Sidney has better things to do then get on myspace.

Like what, calling you?

TornadoGirl83 wrote:

IcePrincess wrote: I sent him a message through his MySpace & offered him round the clock nursing. He hasn't answered. I wonder if that's not really his MySpace, because i KNOW he would have answered me. I bet that meanie Rachel deleted my message. Please Sidney has better things to do then get on myspace.

Hey Rachel! Did you see the latest issue of Men's Fitness?

I'm planning a trip to Pitt so I can go by his house & get him to sign my copy.

IcePrincess wrote:

TornadoGirl83 wrote: IcePrincess wrote: I sent him a message through his MySpace & offered him round the clock nursing. He hasn't answered. I wonder if that's not really his MySpace, because i KNOW he would have answered me. I bet that meanie Rachel deleted my message. Please Sidney has better things to do then get on myspace. Hey Rachel! Did you see the latest issue of Men's Fitness? I'm planning a trip to Pitt so I can go by his house & get him to sign my copy.

Wow Stalkerish!!

He skated with the team on Friday.

That's a good sign!

I'd rather have him take extra time to get better rather than rush back on the ice and risk re-injury.

IcePrincess wrote:

He skated with the team on Friday. That's a good sign! I'd rather have him take extra time to get better rather than rush back on the ice and risk re-injury.

Yea like you would know.