The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to try to give daily updates on star center Sidney Crosby, but coach Dan Bylsma said Tuesday that he's in California after visiting with Dr. Robert S. Bray, a neurological spine specialst, to continue to treat the lingering effects of concussion-like symptoms, which will force Crosby to miss his 21st straight game tonight after playing in eight upon his return.

So in essence, no new real information.

"Not a timetable because it's possible he could stay there for a little bit of a break as well," Bylsma said of Crosby. "Not a definitive day back in Pittsburgh because he'll be staying on the beach for a little bit."

Crosby first went to Atlanta to pay a visit to Ted Carrick, the chiropractic Neurologist who treated the 2009 NHL MVP for his concussion symptoms last summer.

Savard won't be lacing up the skates for the B's any time soon, but he noted that he's truly happy with his life, although he admits he often wants to get back on the ice. The 34-year-old remains unsure about what the future holds when it comes to hockey, though.

"Right now, the way I'm still feeling and the daily issues I'm having, it's tough to see a bright future right now, to be honest with you. It's tough," Savard said. "I still have my tough days that I want to get back and play, but at the end of the day, I know if I possibly got hit again, what could happen. It's a day by day thing, still. I'm still hoping that something happens and I feel a lot better, but if I feel like this, I still couldn't play."

I mean, obviously it was tough last year not to be a true part of being there, because, you know, I thought I could have helped at times, too," he said. "But I was excited, and when I sit back and look at it right now, if I don't ever play again, I am happy. I guess I went out a winner, too. I'm on the Stanley Cup, I got a ring, and a lot of credit to Peter Chiarelli and the organization for doing that for me. That was unexpected but very nice. So, at the end of the day, I had a decent career if I don't play again, and I'm enjoying what I'm doing right now.

Goaltender Antero Niittymaki was placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday.

In 24 appearances this season, Niittymaki has a record of 12-7-3 with a goals-against-average of 2.72 and a save percentage of .896.

Niittymaki, who was signed by the Sharks as an unrestricted free agent prior to the 2010 season, is currently on a conditioning stint with the Sharks' AHL affiliate in Worcester.

Maple Leafs sign Liles to four-year contract extension
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenceman John-Michael Liles to a four-year contract extension on Wednesday.

Sources tell TSN that the deal is worth $3.875 million per season.

Liles, 31, has four goals and 17 assists for 21 points in 34 games this season and has averaged more than 21 minutes of ice time per game.

Liles, who has been on injured reserve since December 27, has missed the last 15 games due to a concussion.

The Maple Leafs acquired Liles from the Colorado Avalanche last summer in exchange for a second round draft pick in 2012.

Liles, who was originally drafted by the Avalanche in the fifth round (159th overall) in 2000, was in the final year of his current deal that had a cap hit of $4.2 million.

.....As Michael Farber noted at Sports Illustrated’s website last week, “this crisis is right in front of us. No fabulous players. No fabulous teams.”

Parity and homogeneity, the goal of every league commissioner for some misguided reason, exact a cost. There are no dynasties to cherish or loathe, and with Sid and Ovie out of sorts, no superstars in our midst.

This won’t stop Ottawa from staging the grandest of shows this weekend.

For the NHL, this is the easy part, celebrating the game with fans and sponsors. The hard part comes down the road, finding the next superstars and keeping them in one piece.