Sidney Crosby Beginning to Decline? Worries Growing as the Disastrous Season Continues

As the Pittsburgh Penguins season starts to wind down, we can also see a shift in the production of Sidney Crosby.

According to MoneyPuck.com the Penguins have a 3.5% chance of making the playoffs this year. Winning all of their games for the rest of the year would give them 102 points, which would be impossible.

Sidney Crosby is Playing too Much Hockey for No Good Reason

Is that even possible? This is most likely the second season in a row the Penguins are out of the playoffs. Last year it did come down to the last game, but this year, it seems like a very far off chance. Crosby's production has decreased tremendously the last 8 games.



So, why does Crosby need to be played in every game? He did last year and is on pace this year.

He has carried the team this far, but it is a little too late. He looked like a Hart Trophy candidate and now, has just two assists in six games in March. In other sports, when players have back-to-back games, stars sit out of one of them.

Sid has always given everything he has to winning and to the Penguins. But now, it might be time to take on less minutes, take a game or two off, and let's see what the Penguins youth can do.

Penguins Need to Begin the Youth Movement in Pittsburgh

So, maybe it is time to give the youth the Penguins have the chance to play. We already know what the veterans can bring to the table. Less Jeff Carter at this point and more Joona Koppanen to see what he has to offer.

With a limited number of players a team can call up, there is still time and space for the Penguins to start using so youth and fresh faces to get some NHL experience.

First, Sam Poulin needs to be called up. He can get a couple of weeks worth of experience with a lot of games still scheduled in March.

Vasily Ponomarev also should get some playing time in Pittsburgh. There must be a reason he was part of the Jake Guentzel trade so let's see what he can offer.

It should be time for the organization to give the prospects some opportunity to show what they can do in the NHL. There is no better time then now.

As Read On: Pittsburgh Hockey Now - Penguins Blog: Time to Recall the Kids; Crosby Out of Gas?