Crosby on long-term injured reserve - 02-03-11

If there's a positive aspect of Sidney Crosby's injury, it's this.

According to CapGeek.com, the absolutely source in regards to salary cap matters in the NHL, the Penguins have placed their captain on long-term injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 6. A player must must be injured for at least 10 games or 24 days in order to be placed on long-term injured reserve as opposed to regular injured reserve.

Crosby has missed the Penguins' last 11 games due to a concussion.

Cap Geek is quick to point out that the move is strictly a procedural one and is not indicative of the severity Crosby's injury.

The benefit of this move is that it relieves Crosby's hefty $8.7 million salary cap figure off their salary cap number on a daily basis until he returns.

With the combination of this move as well as Mike Comrie's ($500,000 cap figure) time on long-term injured reserve, the Penguins can save money towards their daily salary cap number and will have more room to maneuver their roster in the days leading up to the trade deadline.

(Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)