(Reuters) - Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been cleared for contact but the National Hockey League's (NHL) biggest drawing card gave no timetable for his return from a concussion that has sidelined him since January.
"I'm cleared for full contact. It's a good step in the right direction. We'll see how it goes for the next little bit," Crosby, 24, told reporters on Thursday in a transcript made available on the team's website. "It's a big step, but with each step I have to see how things go."
Crosby did not reveal when he would be cleared to join the Penguins, who are off to their best start to an NHL season in 17 years.
"It's up to how I respond to getting hit," the former NHL most valuable player, Stanley Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist for Canada said.
"I guess it's up to me, but we have to see when we get to that point."
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; editing by Justin Palmer)
