MONTREAL -- The huge mural of Sidney Crosby on the wall of the Bell Centre is the only glimpse fans at the all-star game will get of the Penguins superstar in uniform.
As the YoungStars were introduced yesterday, Crosby made it official: He's been reduced to spectator status for Sunday's all-star game.
Doctors have prescribed rest for a knee injury that has been bothering Crosby for a week.
"I think people will understand. This is not a situation that is totally in my control," said Crosby. "I'm trying to do the right thing. I hope people realize that."
The news is also a devastating blow to the NHL.
Crosby, the league's biggest star attraction, received a record 1.7 million votes to start for the Eastern Conference. He'll be replaced by Lightning winger Martin St. Louis.
Commissioner Gary Bettman couldn't hide his disappointment.
"For any player who is selected to be on the team and can't be here, I know it's disappointing for everybody, particularly the fans," said Bettman. "It's not unusual, if you go back over time, for players to sustain injuries and be unavailable.
"What we don't expect is injuries just last weekend."
After missing last Friday's game with what's believed to be the knee injury, the talk out of Pittsburgh is Crosby was advised to rest this weekend, in preparation for the club's final 34 games.
"I know this is disappointing to him, but we would never ask a player to go against doctor's orders," said Penguins GM Ray Shero.
But after missing last year's all-star game with a high ankle sprain, Crosby wanted to be here and the word is he couldn't have sustained more damage to the knee.
"Probably the guy who would love to be here the most is Crosby," said NHLPA director of player affairs Glenn Healy. "I talked to Crosby a month ago about this breakaway challenge (in the skills competition) and he was working on a move or two. He said to me, 'Do you need my address so you can send the crystal trophy to me.'
However, the belief is the Penguins didn't want Crosby to take any chances.
"Physically, if you're banged up, you can't take part," said Healy. "(But) there's nobody more competitive than (Crosby), even in a situation that isn't competitive. He'd want to be to show why he's one of the best in the world."
Crosby isn't alone on the all-star injury front.
The only member of the Stanley Cup-champion Red Wings taking part is coach Mike Babcock. Defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom (ankle) and centre Pavel Datsyuk (hip) have both pulled out.
MASON, LUCIC ...
Several YoungStars are also banged up and won't play.
Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason, Bruins winger Milan Lucic, Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom and Kings goalie Erik Ersberg are all out.
"(Lucic) isn't going because he's hurt and he hasn't played for us for two weeks," said Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli. "It's tough for these players. They want to be there and we know this is done to promote the league. A lot of guys (also) want to be there because it's the 100th anniversary of (the Canadiens)."
While Bettman sympathizes, he doesn't want injuries used as a crutch.
"The players who are selected to be here want to be here. Unfortunately, injuries intervene," said Bettman.
"I do have an expectation that if you have an injury that's bad enough to keep you away for the weekend, you're probably going to miss a game on either side of the weekend."
