Pittsburgh, PA

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without star Sidney Crosby to start the new season.

The Penguins made several roster moves, trimming the lineup to 23 players with the most significant move being Crosby's placement on injured reserve.

The Penguins open the NHL season at Vancouver.

Crosby is still recovering from concussion-like symptoms sustained last January. He has been skating with the Penguins since training camp opened but has not yet been cleared for contact.

Under the rules the earliest Crosby would have been able to be activated was Oct. 13, when Pittsburgh hosts Washington, but according to Pittsburgh general manager Ray Shero, Crosby can be removed from IR when he is healthy because his injury occurred last season.

The Penguins' 23-man opening day playing roster does not need to be officially set until Oct. 5 by 3 p.m.

Pittsburgh also placed forwards Dustin Jeffrey and Nick Petersen and defensemen Robert Bortuzzo and Boris Valabik on IR Monday.

Defenseman Joseph Morrow, the club's 2011 first-round pick, was returned to his Junior team in Portland of the Western Hockey League. The 18-year-old made his mark in training camp and finished the preseason with a goal and three assists in four games.

Forward Jason Williams and defensemen Alexandre Picard and Brian Strait were assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. Williams and Picard must clear waivers by Tuesday at noon before joining Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Twitter: @ihavenet

Copyright © 2011 AHN - All Rights Reserved