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Penguins captain Sidney Crosby tests positive for COVID-19

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has tested positive for COVID-19. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has tested positive for COVID-19. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Sidney Crosby has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that their captain, along with defenceman Brian Dumoulin, has entered COVID-19 protocol. Crosby has mild symptoms, while Dumoulin is considered asymptomatic.

The news further complicates the start of Crosby's 17th season in the league. He's appeared in just one game this season after missing the beginning of the year due to offseason wrist surgery.

"I'm sure he's discouraged," head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters. "He worked extremely hard to get to this point, and we were all so excited about getting him back in the fold.

"This puts another road block in front of it. But we'll control what we can, and we're hopeful that Sid will return soon."

Crosby led the Penguins last season in both goals (24) and points (62) in 55 games.

The injury-plagued Penguins have survived the captain's absence to this point, treading water with a 3-2-2 record before Crosby returned in a loss to the New Jersey Devils. The club has also been without Evgeni Malkin after knee surgery, as well as Kris Letang and Bryan Rust for stretches.

The NHL has dealt with a few mild coronavirus outbreaks since the season began under revised protocols despite the entire player population, save for one player, being fully vaccinated at this point.

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