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Crosby looks to build on stellar rookie season for Penguins

Oct 5, 2006 - 1:58 PM Philadelphia (45-26-11) at Pittsburgh (22-46-14) 7:30 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) - The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking for more leadership, maturity and discipline from Sidney Crosby.

Following a terrific rookie season campaign, Crosby tries to get the Penguins off on the right foot in his second year Thursday when the Penguins host the Philadelphia Flyers in the season opener for both teams.

The 19-year-old Crosby began last season as the focal point of the Penguins, alongside owner and Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux, who finally retired for good midway through the campaign.

Crosby was runner-up to Washington's Alexander Ovechkin for the Calder Trophy after scoring 39 goals and 102 points. However, he finished with 110 penalty minutes after opponents discovered he could be goaded into taking bad calls.

The teenage sensation also discovered he could not carry the team to success by himself. Pittsburgh yielded a league-high 316 goals and had the second-worst record in the NHL.

Another young standout, 20-year-old Evgeni Malkin of Russia, is recovering from a dislocated shoulder and will not be ready to make his debut for a while. He was the second pick in the 2004 draft.

Philadelphia rallied last last season to overtake the New York Rangers and tie the New Jersey Devils for the top spot in the Atlantic Division before losing to the Buffalo Sabres in six games in the first round of the playoffs.

The Flyers are hoping to limit their visits to the medical staff after losing 388 man-games to injuries. Among the key players sidelined were Peter Forsberg, Simon Gagne and goaltender Robert Esche.

Forsberg, who won a pair of Stanley Cup titles with the Colorado Avalanche and picked up another Olympic gold medal with Sweden in February, was named captain following the retirement of Keith Primeau. His mere presence has brought out the best of linemates Gagne and Mike Knuble.

Kyle Calder managed to escape the offensively challenged Chicago Blackhawks when he was acquired by the Flyers in a trade. On a team that was next to last in goals (211) last season, he set career highs with 26 tallies and 59 points.