Josh Yohe's post on Pittsburgh Penguins | Latest updates on Sulia

Sidney Crosby is going to have a monster season. Here's why:

The writing is one the wall for Sidney Crosby to have one of his greatest seasons, and nothing I saw today indicates this won’t happen. Crosby skated with teammates for the first time since April and is in terrific condition. I have a feeling Crosby is about to embark on a career season. Here are my reasons: • He is 25. This is often considered the peak age for a hockey player, much younger than other sports. Lemieux, Gretzky, Orr and many other of hockey’s all-time greats enjoyed championship seasons at that age, along the way setting statistical milestones. • Last season was important, in many ways. Crosby was defeated in the postseason by the team he admittedly hates. If you know anything about the man, you know he is more motivated than ever. Also, the fact that Crosby played a handful of games in March and April is significant. Had he not played since December, his confidence and rust level would be easier to question. Remember when Michael Jordan and the Bulls lost to Orlando in the 1995 playoffs when Jordan played a few regular season games after coming out of retirement? Then, the next year, after a full camp, his team went 72-10. It has that feel. • He looks magnificent. Watching Crosby skate today was impressive. He was flying. Also, it must be noted that he clearly has added muscle this summer. His upper body looks bigger. This isn’t especially relevant, but it tells you this much: He is healthy. You don’t look as good as he does without working out heavily this summer. And you don’t work out that heavily if you’re not healthy. • The look I saw on his face today. Bring up late season, and Crosby can’t hide his aggravation. He has always been motivated, but never like this. There will be questions about Crosby’s durability, about his status as the game’s greatest player, and about his ability to lead the Penguins to another Stanley Cup. I promise you that he’s motivated and ready.