Penguins center Sidney Crosby has been cleared by team doctors to start offseason, off-ice workouts.
Crosby played his last game on Jan. 5, and did not return for the Penguins as he recovered from a concussion. Pittsburgh advanced to the playoffs without him, but lost in Round 1 to Tampa Bay in seven games.
Crosby, who sustained two hard hits in as many games before being shut down, will work out with a personal trainer for the next 2-3 weeks in Cole Harbor, Nova Scotia, according to Penguins general manager Ray Shero, and will be monitored by Dr. Michael Collins of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
''Everything will be closely managed by Dr. Collins,'' Shero said, ''in terms of his progression leading up to him getting on the ice later in the summer per his usual routine.''
Though he played in just 41 games, Crosby, 23, still led the team with 32 goals and 66 points. Without him, the Penguins took a 3-1 series lead against the Lightning, before losing the final three games, including two at home.
Crosby is likely to begin on-ice workouts in late July or early August.
