McDavid Is Right – Crosby Is The Right Choice To Be Canada's Captain At 4 Nations Face-Off

Oilers star Connor McDavid recently said Penguins icon Sidney Crosby should be Canada's captain at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off — and Adam Proteau says McDavid Is Right.

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association’s 4 Nations Face-Off is fast approaching, and with the tournament comes numerous debates, including who should be the captain of Team Canada for the event. And one star player certain to be on the team – Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid – believes another iconic center should be wearing the ‘C’: Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby.

“Should be Sid for sure,” McDavid said this week. “Not even a question.”

We’re inclined to agree with McDavid. Both strategically and emotionally, Crosby deserves to get the nod for Canada’s captaincy. He’s got the most experience in international tournaments, the most experience winning championships at hockey’s highest levels and he’s fully capable of thriving in the high-expectation, high-pressure environment that will be the 4 Nations Face-Off. In all regards, Crosby is the best possible choice for the job – and if Team Canada chose another player for the role, it would be a serious miscalculation.

At age 37, Crosby may not have many international-stage appearances left in him, but as he’s shown in recent years, his game hasn’t slipped. On any team he plays on, he’s going to set the example for his teammates and be on the ice when the opportunities matter most. He’s never going to be a competitive liability, and his unshakeable persona is tailor-made for situations where the stakes couldn’t be higher.

At this stage, the only thing that could stop Crosby from representing Canada would be an injury. But look at his career, and you’ll see that, for more than a decade, he’s been healthy, reliable and productive, scoring 30 goals or more in 11 of 13 seasons where he appeared in at least 69 games. That’s what you call dependable, and that’s exactly what the Canadian team brass are looking for in a leader.

Crosby has two Olympic gold medals, an IIHF World Championship and three Stanley Cups to his credit. If there’s a more accomplished active player, we don’t know of them. McDavid didn’t have to tell the world Canada should have Crosby as its captain, but it’s a measure of the respect Crosby has earned from friends and foes alike that he’s such an easy choice to wear the ‘C’ for his country.

When the 4 Nations Face-Off does take place, Crosby will be leading Canada at the tournament, and if and when the Canadians do take home first place, it will be in no small part because of Crosby’s contributions. He’s going to be ‘Captain Canada’ for at least another best-on-best showdown, and there’s no question he deserves the honor.