Sidney Crosby talks World Cup, White House, possible Stanley Cup repeat

CRANBERRY, Pa. — Penguins captain Sidney Crosby arrived at training camp for the first time Tuesday.

He’s just a few weeks removed from a World Cup win with Team Canada. When asked whether he’s in better shape to start the season because of the World Cup, Crosby said in some respects, he is.

“I think the intensity is pretty high,” Crosby said. “I mean, it’s different than you would see in preseason. You’re probably not playing quite as much in World Cup as far as minutes go … but I think everything else, timing and all that stuff, should be there.”

Crosby told reporters he believes it’s a luxury to be bringing nearly the entire Stanley Cup-winning roster back, but repeating as champs will be difficult.

“There’s a reason why it hasn’t been done for a long time,” he said. “Everyone wants to beat you. Everyone is measuring themselves against you. You have to be ready every night. Expect everyone’s best and find a way to get back to that.”

Crosby said to win the Stanley Cup, you have be to lucky and good. That's what makes it so difficult. The team is headed to the White House Thursday to meet with President Barack Obama.

“(I’m) excited,” he said. “You know, just to get some good photographs, get the see all the different rooms. Get to see the Oval Office. It’s fun too, for the new guys, to see their reaction. That kind of thing will be fun, so I’m excited to go there.”

After the trip, it’s a rush to prepare for the home opener against the Washington Capitals on Oct. 13. The Penguins will raise the Stanley Cup banner in the newly-named PPG Paints Arena.

Crosby said he doesn’t believe the short offseason for many players will be a problem, if they balance rest and recovery to make sure they are ready to play.

“Just manage your days off,” he said. “We get that time off in January, but other than that, things are a little more condensed. Managing all those things, I think it becomes a challenge, but it’s a good problem to have.”

Cox Media Group