Crosby Cleared for Contact (in practice)

Last week, Penguins Captain and center Sidney Crosby was cleared for full contact in practice for the first time since early January of 2011. This is a huge step in the right direction for Crosby who has been battling setbacks for months. The Penguins need Crosby to win the Cup, but the NHL as a league also needs Sid the Kid, as he is a superstar and the face of the league. As headshots and concussions become a bigger problem for the NHL, it is a positive note that Crosby is returning, as maybe this can quiet those problems and worries now that the golden boy of the league is back and healthy. I expect Crosby to return within the month, as he is seen flying at practices and morning skates. With a healthy Crosby, and a healthy Evgeni Malkin who is coming back from a torn ACL, the Penguins will be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Fans will not only be holding their breathe for that first hit Crosby takes, but the whole league will.