On Wednesday, the team announced that Sidney Crosby had undergone wrist surgery due to an injury he had suffered for several years.
Ron Hextall said they went through all the possible options before deciding that surgery was the best reason.
- We all, including Sid, wish we had known this a month or two ago.
It would have been good, but we are where we are, said Hextall.
Miss the season premiere
The 34-year-old Crosby missed just one game last season where he scored a total of 24 goals and led the Penguins to the East Division title.
According to Hextall, Crosby has rested the injury since last season to see if it would be possible to play with it for another season.
- In the end, we had to decide.
The conclusion we came to was that this was the best way to proceed, said Hextall.
The Pittsburgh Penguins' opening game of the season is October 12 against the two-time Stanley Cup winners, Tampa Bay.
As it stands now, Crosby will not be back until then.