I've been a fairly neutral observer of Crosby over the years. My first memory of him against the Habs was a game winning goal in a shootout which made me dislike facing him. On the other hand, I also hold dearly the game winning goal he scored against USA in the final in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics. I know some people aren't a fan of Olympic hockey but I've rarely been as nervous as I was during that final. I wanted to win on home soil.
As a player, it seems as though he's received a very mixed bags of followers when you take into account how great of a player he is. He receives a lot of hate but I have to admire him as a player and I think, if I may say so, we're watching one of the only players who will ever be comparable to Gretzky.
I would hate to grow old myself and watch Crosby the human deteriorate similar to some other greats like Mohammad Ali have and I hope the blows he has received aren't as serious as people make it sound. I wonder, is it that he really has received it worse than 99% of the players in the league? or if he would simply being extremely precautions. If it's the former, then one has to think he wasn't really crying all along and like CC said, this type of thing needs to be relooked, whether it's the protection of the players, clearer rules of what is wrong, or stiffer penalties to those who violate.
Edit: All that being said, I've only heard what I've read here and since it's simply a rumor from his native town, I have a good feeling he'll be back.