Representing your nation on-ice at the Olympics is one thing, but captaining the team is the ultimate honor. Sidney Crosby is a virtual lock for Canada, but who else will get the coveted ‘C’?

If there’s a higher honor than playing for your country at the Olympics, it’s captaining your country at the Olympics.

Other winter sports have captaincies, but arguably none are more meaningful than wearing the 'C' on a hockey sweater next to your nation's crest. And in 2026, the faces leading their countries will be a bit more recognizable than the previous two Olympics, as many of them will be NHLers for the first time since 2014.

History has often favoured age and experience for Olympic captaincies, but in this more youthful era of hockey, we could see fewer 'greybeards' among the leadership groups in 2026.

The fast-approaching 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025, featuring Canada, USA, Finland and Sweden, will give us a good idea of those countries’ leadership groups, but here’s an early projection of the more expanded field.

Only eight of the total 12 countries that will compete in the 2026 tournament have been officially decided and that excluded Russia, whose Olympic participation is currently unclear. However, Russia and other potential qualifiers Slovakia, Latvia, Denmark, Norway and Austria are included here.

Canada: Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

The most obvious of choices, the fact that Sidney Crosby already captained the Canadians at the last Olympics to feature NHLers and is still arguably a top-five player in the world makes this a no-brainer. Even when he wasn't a captain or alternate during Vancouver 2010, Crosby was still a leading player, being tied for second-most points in the tournament amongst the Canadians with seven, and of course, he also scored the overtime winner in the gold medal game. There really is no other choice than Crosby.

Other candidates: None

United States: Dylan Larkin, C, Detroit Red Wings

While it's worth mentioning American legend Patrick Kane, who is third all-time in NHL points for American-born players, the USA is deep at forward and Kane's dazzling resume may be passed over completely when he turns 37 in 2026. Besides, Kane has only ever worn an ‘A’ in the NHL.

That’s why the sensical choice is Larkin, who will be 29 and captain of five years for the Detroit Red Wings. He hasn’t been named to the Four Nations roster, but he’s consistently been one of the NHL’s most effective two-way pivots and if he can get Motor City back into playoff contention in the next two seasons, he’ll make an even better case for Team USA general manager Bill Guerin to give him the nod.

Other candidates: Brady Tkachuk, LW, Ottawa Senators; Jaccob Slavin, D, Carolina Hurricanes; Adam Fox, D, New York Rangers; Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs; Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins

Finland: Aleksander Barkov, C, Florida Panthers

If the contest wasn’t already in Barkov’s favour as a two-time Selke Trophy winner and a veteran of the 2014 Olympic roster, he was made a shoo-in when he and the Florida Panthers captured the Stanley Cup this past spring.

As the first Finnish-born captain to win the silver chalice, the Finns will have no hesitation throwing their support behind the well-mannered center, whose resume also includes a Lady Byng Trophy.

Other candidates: None

Sweden: Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning

Gone is the collection of 2006 gold-medalists including Henrik Zetterberg, Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin to lean on for experience. That being said, it's not as if the Swedes will have a scarcity of leadership experience.

There’s a strong argument nobody is more deserving of the ‘C’ than Tampa Bay Lightning stalwart Victor Hedman, given his role as alternate captain for the Bolts through back-to-back Cup wins in 2020 and 2021. Besides, the captaincy may be headed his way soon after longtime captain Steven Stamkos departed for the Nashville Predators.

Also near the top of that list is Gabriel Landeskog, who in 2022 became just the second Swedish-born captain to lift the Stanley Cup. However, Landeskog wasn’t among the six names put forth for Sweden’s 4 Nations roster.

Slightly below Hedman and Landeskog’s candidacy is that of Erik Karlsson, who captained the Ottawa Senators for four seasons and wore the ‘A’ for four more with the San Jose Sharks. Karlsson recently shared the ‘C’ with Hedman at the 2024 World Championship.

Other candidates: None

Russia: Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals

Almost as easy as Crosby, the “Great 8” has no rivals when it comes to leading Russia at the Olympics. He’s the NHL’s greatest goal-scorer and the only Russian-born captain to capture the Stanley Cup.

It’s just a matter of if they’re allowed to play.

Other candidates: None

Czechia: David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins

While there have been questions about Pastrnak’s ability to embrace a leadership role with the Bruins, he’s been an alternate captain since 2021 and he inked a long-term extension last season to stay in Boston. Captains usually require more than just sublime skill to lead and “Pasta” has made big strides in that department as the Bruins’ leadership group continues to change.

If the Czechs prefer someone more experienced, Tomas Hertl checks all the boxes. He served as an alternate captain for five seasons with the San Jose Sharks before being dealt to Vegas this past season. He’ll be 32 when the Olympics open in 2026.

Other candidates: Filip Hronek, D, Vancouver Canucks

Germany: Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers

Yet another case of Draisaitl living in Connor McDavid’s shadow; he would be the first German-born NHL captain if it weren’t for McDavid.

Nevertheless, Draisaitl’s status as possibly the second-best player in the world makes him a likely captain for what will be a massively upgraded German squad in 2026. He’s served as an alternate captain for the Oilers since 2019 and would be an ideal leader for the Germans.

Other candidates: Tim Stützle, C, Ottawa Senators

Switzerland: Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators

It’s certainly a two-horse race for the Swiss captaincy, as there are two Swiss captains in the NHL: Josi and Nico Hischier. Both have served as Switzerland’s captain at the world championships.

Barring a Stanley Cup for the New Jersey Devils or Hischier ascending to new heights, it feels safe to declare Josi the favourite. He’s been around the block longer and has a Norris Trophy to boot.

Other candidates: None

Italy: Thomas Larkin, D, Schwenninger Wild Wings

Only the 20th-ranked men’s ice hockey team in the world, Italy returns to Olympic hockey for the first time since last hosting in 2006.

The Italians’ only NHL experience comes from Daniel Catenacci, who played a handful of games for the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers between 2015 and 2018.

However, the most likely candidate is the British-born Larkin, who has captained Italy at the IIHF Division I championship and will be 35 in 2026.

Other candidates: Dustin Gazley, LW/RW, HC Bolzano

Slovakia: Erik Cernak, D, Tampa Bay Lightning

Filling a void long held by Zdeno Chara might be as simple as tapping the next-biggest Slovak D-man, Erik Cernak. In all seriousness, Cernak played a pivotal role in the Lightning’s back-to-back championships, experience that few Slovaks can match. Playing so much springtime hockey means Cernak hasn’t had the chance to represent his nation at world championships, but he wore letters for Slovakia at the U-18 and U-20 tournaments.

Martin Fehervary earned a Cup ring with the Washington Capitals in 2018, so expect him to be on the shortlist as well.

Other candidates: Tomas Tatar, LW, New Jersey Devils; Michal Kristof, C, HC Sochi

Latvia: Zemgus Girgensons, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

Third all-time for Latvian-born NHLers in games played, Girgensons has earned the right to lead his country, which recently won its first-ever IIHF medal at the 2023 World Championship. Girgensons represented Latvia at the 2014 Olympics and signed a three-year deal with Tampa Bay this summer.

Other candidates: Rodrigo Ābols, C, Rogle BK Angelholm; Teddy Blueger, C, Vancouver Canucks

Denmark: Lars Eller, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

The Danes made their Olympic hockey debut in 2022 and managed to advance to the quarterfinals in their first go.

With both captain Peter Regin and alternate captain Frans Nielsen now retired since that tournament, only Jesper Jensen Aabo remains from that leadership group.

Luckily, NHL participation gives Denmark more options including Eller, who after several seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and Capitals has been a dependable and disciplined leader for the Penguins. He’ll be 36 when the Olympics open in Italy.

Other candidates: Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Winnipeg Jets

Norway: Mats Zuccarello, LW, Minnesota Wild

Zuccarello has long been the sole active Norwegian NHLer (but maybe not for long), so he’ll be near the top of the list as an elder statesman in 2026.

However, if 40-year-old Patrick Thoresen doesn’t retire, he’ll have a shot to return as Norway’s captain as he was in the 2024 World Championship.

Other candidates: Andreas Martinsen, LW, Storhamar; Mattias Nørstebø, D, IF Björklöven

Austria: Marco Rossi, C, Minnesota Wild

It’s been a while since Thomas Vanek captained Austria at the Olympics in 2014, and that was also the last time they qualified.

The only active Austrian in the NHL is Rossi, who just played his first full season with the Wild. So while it may be a bit hasty to project his captaincy, I’m going to take a leap here. He’s had two impressive world championship showings and is only getting better.

Other candidates: Manuel Ganahl, LW/RW, Graz99ers; Dominique Heinrich, D, Vienna Capitals