Sydor takes 'pro's approach' to inactivity
Be a pro.
Defenseman Darryl Sydor has uttered those words so often over the past year they could be a sign above his dressing-room stall.
Sydor, who played Thursday for only the seventh time in the past 30 games, including playoffs, is not about to throw the Penguins under the bus -- even if he firmly believes he can be a top-six defenseman in the NHL.
"Obviously, I'm really eager (to play)," Sydor said yesterday after the Penguins' morning skate. "It's my life. It's what I want to do. And now I've got a chance to play again."
Sydor signed a two-year deal totaling $5 million in July 2007. General manager Ray Shero said Sydor would provide veteran presence to a Penguins' defense that lacked that tangible at the time.
The marriage hasn't gone as planned. Sydor started slow last season and was benched in the playoffs until replacing then-rookie Kris Letang two games into the Stanley Cup final, and entered this season in a clear-cut reserve role.
His insertion into the lineup last night was due only to an undisclosed injury to defenseman Hal Gill. Before last night, Sydor has played in only two games, including at left wing in the home opener.
Still, Sydor has not gone public with any complaints. Instead, teammates such as defenseman Brooks Orpik said he has set a lesson by "being a pro."
"It's all you can do," Sydor said. "Be ready when you're asked to go and make the most of your opportunity."
Simmering, not cooked
Coach Michel Therrien said left wing Matt Cooke, who missed a fourth consecutive games last night due to injured ribs, could play Saturday against the Rangers in New York.
Cooke practiced Wednesday, but he was held out of the game last night as a precaution.
"Hopefully, he'll be ready for Saturday; that was the plan," Therrien said. "You've got to be careful about those types of injuries."
Therrien said Gill could also play Saturday. He is thought to have an upper-body injury due to a blocked shot in Boston on Monday.
Missing 'Canes
Don't count any Penguins -- players or coaches -- as fans of the Hurricanes' decision to not holding morning skate sessions prior to games. Traditionally, teams hold brief on-ice practices on the morning of games.
Several Penguins' players said they prefer the routine of morning skate, light workout, an afternoon nap and regular late-afternoon game-day activities. Therrien labeled the Hurricanes' approach "unusual."
"I'm sure they've got their reasons they don't want to do it," Therrien said. "But we've got reasons we want to do it.
"But that doesn't mean I have the right answer or they have the right answer."
