The One and Only turns 24 today.  Somewhere in Nova Scotia, he’s as anxious to get back to us as we are to him.  He’s been writing, but Mike Green keeps intercepting the mail (we never should have let him watch The Notebook).

You can love Sid (me) or hate him (Dawn), but thanks to his sheer talent and the NHL marketing machine, he is the premiere player in the game today.  Even when he doesn’t play.  So let’s all pick up lucky Loonies and cross our fingers that Sid’s concussion problems from last season are over for good.

At 24, Sid has a Stanley Cup, an NHL captainship so long it feels old, a Rocket Richard Trophy, a Hart Trophy, an Art Ross Trophy and an Olympic Gold Medal.  So much accomplished in such a short time.  So what do you get for the guy who has everything?

Just a hug and a hope that 60 days from today he’s hitting the ice at Consol for the Pens first game of the ’11-’12 season, ready to reclaim his rightful place (no mustaches, please).  Because hockey is not the same without him.

Happy birthday, Sid.  I can’t wait to  wear my 87 jersey in DC this year and get booed for you.  (Plus you might have to give Mike the Team Edward talk about first dibs and forever and stuff.)  It’s going to be a great season – Pens all the way.  Bless this post.