Crosby hopes exhibition games take place before potential season

At this point, we can say with relative confidence that training camp will only last about a week if the 2012-13 campaign is saved.

That’s not a ton of time to get ready for a condensed schedule, but Crosby is hoping that teams will at least get an opportunity to play in two or three exhibition games.

“When you’re playing your team’s system against an actual opponent, not your own teammates, it’s a little different,” he said in a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report. “You do get something from that.

“[Whether exhibition games are played] is something that would have to be negotiated and talked through with everyone. You have to find that balance of making sure you’re ready. Do you possibly miss other games [in the regular season] because you’re not prepared?”

Of course, the level of preparedness varies from player to player. Crosby hasn’t played competitive hockey since Apr. 22 while others have been busy in the AHL or Europe during the lockout.

That might give some players and perhaps some teams an edge if there’s a shortened season.

Related:

Formal CBA talks will resume today (Updated)