One analyst was not happy with the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby, missing the All-Star Draft.

PITTSBURGH – Sidney Crosby is the Pittsburgh Penguins' sole representative at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto. While the event was kicking off with an All-Star Draft, Crosby was a notable absence. Crosby sent in a short video and was represented at the draft by a youth Timbits hockey player.

Shortly after the All-Star Draft wrapped, a video was put out that showed Crosby taking in a solo training session in Montana. It was his absence and this video that sent NHL insider Frank Seravalli into a rant on his podcast.

During the “Garbage Time” segment of his show, Seravalli said it’s wrong that Crosby can skip out on All-Star activities and get no pushback for it.

“I think it’s garbage that year-in and year-out at All-Star weekend that when he decides to show up and play, Sidney Crosby doesn’t get more heat from anyone,” Seravalli said. “No one’s ever critical of Sidney Crosby.”

Crosby has skipped out of All-Star Game festivities before but something about this new video sent the Philadelphia native over the edge.

“Video surfaced of him skating on an outdoor rink in Montana, apparently enjoying some R&R,” Seravalli said. “Why is it that every other NHL All-Star can show up and participate in the player draft, but Sidney Crosby doesn’t, and no one says boo about it.”

While the rest of the NHL All-Stars were being selected to their teams with a clunky snake draft format with not much entertainment value, Crosby was getting in some reps to stay sharp. It’s that kind of dedication and drive that has helped Crosby still produce at such a high level this deep into his career.

Let’s be honest, most 36-year-olds in the NHL don’t get selected to the All-Star Game because their game has slumped or they’re nearing retirement. Crosby is still at the top of his game and doesn’t have any plans yet of calling it a career.

Crosby arrived in Toronto ahead of the Skills Competition and spoke with the media for nearly 10 minutes and fielded questions on a wide array of topics surrounding the hockey world.

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