Throwdowns > Closed

BM. said 12/19, 10:13 AM
It pains me to say this, but I think Crosby is finished.

He may come back and play a few games here and there, but it seems to me that this concussion and the lasting effects have gotten the better of him. He will never be the same.

He was hit by David Steckel in the Winter Classic on January 1st, and again by Victor Hedman on January 5th of this year. He was out of the Penguins lineup from that point, until his return on November 21st, just one month ago.

He was in top form and played like he had never left for about 3 weeks, and now the concussion symptoms have surfaced. How did it happen? Nobody really knows. Two marginal hits could have possibly been the cause. One by David Krecji of the Boston Bruins, and the other one was an accidental collision with teammate Chris Kunitz. Nobody has been able to pinpoint the actual cause.

If small, marginal hits are going to bring back concussion symptoms, what is a vicious hit going to do?

It's been nearly a year and the concussion symptoms are still there. He is slowly becoming the next Marc Savard. If the symptoms aren't gone nearly a year from the initial concussion, they won't be gone any time in the near future.

BM. said 12/19, 04:46 PM
In my opinion, Bergeron is not even remotely a good example, and here is why:

His two concussions were sustained from big hits that more than likely would have caused concussions if they happened to absolutely any player, regardless of whether or not the player had previously suffered a concussion. The fact that they occurred very close to each other is irrelevant. Not everyone heals the same way. Bergeron was lucky to have a full recovery so he could get back to top form. Point is, he was hit HARD twice.

Crosby was only hit hard ONCE. He thought that he had achieved a full recovery by taking 10+ months off. He was in tip-top shape and ready to come back in a dominant fashion. And he did, at first. Yet small hits and bumps have given him his concussion symptoms again. If he can't take normal hits during the course of the game without having to deal with mind-numbing headaches afterwards, what is there to look forward to?

I simply do not see these problems going away any time in the near future. I hate to say it because Crosby is the heart and soul of the Penguins, but I think I'm right.

Bergeron cannot be compared to Crosby in this instance.

BM. said 12/20, 11:35 AM
Not really a long second argument there. I'm a little surprised by that.

Consider the door WIDE OPEN! hahaha

At least in Bergeron's case, it is widely known who/what caused his second concussion. Nobody actually knows what the cause was for Crosby's sudden onslaught of symptoms. Could it be this? Could it be that? Who knows. Point is, all he was faced with were average hits and bumps that occur during the normal course of a game.

He can't go without being hit, and it seems like every time he gets hit, his symptoms return. It's not a good situation.

What I still can't get over is how he took 10+ months off, appeared to be 100%, then was sidelined again in 3 weeks. Either the doctors have no idea what they are doing (doubtful considering UPMC is one of the best hospitals in the country), or Crosby has a nearly permenant brain injury that will not heal fully if he ever plays hockey again.

God do I hope I am wrong, but based on the evidence that is supplied to the public, it surely seems to be the route that has been involuntarily taken. Crosby is the keystone of the Pens organization, and I hope he returns to full health.

But at this point it does not seem likely.