Special Edition: What Crosby's Return Means to the NHL

It was an exciting night in Pittsburgh Monday night when superstar Sidney Crosby returned from his long concussion injury. Everyone from fans to the media were really excited for the young stars return and he did not disappoint registering two goals and two assists in their 5-0 win over the New York Islanders. It is clear that Sid is a big part of the NHL which is why on the night of his return I thought it would be fitting to write about his contributions to the game. 

Crosby is one of the most dynamic players around. As he showed tonight, he can score like crazy. Even last year, he scored 66 points in only 41 games which was good for 30th overall at the end of the game. Whenever he gets the puck, Crosby dominates and his skill creates exciting hockey to watch. By returning to the game, Sid will bring back the exciting scoring plays he is known for, which is great for the game when stars like Alex Ovechkin, Eric Staal and Henrik Zetterberg have had slow starts. With four points after only one game, it is clear Sid is back and ready to dominate the scoring race again. 

Of course, Sid brings more to hockey than just scoring, he is also one of the biggest ambassadors of the game of the ice. His countless advertising deals with the likes of Tim Hortons, Gatorade and Sportcheck among others bring attention to the game to people who may otherwise not know about hockey. His friendly smile and his interaction with young kids in these advertisements really put a good face on hockey that most players just can't do. Crosby also has an amazing ability of drawing crowds to games. Pittsburgh has had over 200 sold out home games after almost going bankrupt, largely due to Crosby. Plus any player who can cause the CBC to adjust their TV schedule for his return to the NHL. That only happens to the most dynamic and valuable players in the game, a perfect description of Crosby. 

As you can see, Crosby brings a lot to the game of hockey and it's good to see him back. He barely missed a beat in his first game and he should continue his dynamic play as the season roles along. I expect Crosby to light up the scoreboard the rest of the season and am excited to see him back on the ice and filling the highlight reels with amazing plays. The game missed his presence during his time missed from injury but as he showed against the Islanders, the wait was worth it.