EDMONTON — Conventional wisdom says that, on almost all National Hockey League rosters, the best player wears the captain’s ‘C’.
But what happens when the best player in the world says it should be someone else, as Connor McDavid did when asked about the captaincy for Team Canada at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off?
“It should be Sid. Should be Sid for sure. That’s not even a question,” McDavid said Thursday, leaving zero wiggle room in the conversation.
“It’s just how it should be,” he continued, with Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins in town for a Friday night tilt against the Oilers. “He’s Sidney Crosby, and he’s been there so many times. He’s the guy.
“It’s not like I’ve thought about it a lot. It’s just such a no-brainer.”
Crosby wore the ‘C’ at the 2014 Olympics, and captained Canada at the 2016 World Cup. McDavid was a captain as well back in ’16, of the odd but fabulously exciting Team North America (the 23-and-under squad).
There hasn’t been a best-on-best ever since — until this February, when McDavid and Crosby will share a Team Canada dressing room for the very first time. It’s been a loooong time coming for McDavid to play alongside his childhood idol, but in hockey culture, as long as the captain from the last tournament is still playing, he gets it again.
Certainly, McDavid would subscribe to that.
“I appreciate that (endorsement),” Crosby said with a smile. “Maybe it’s a little bit more experience, him giving me that.
“Connor’s obviously a great leader and he’s done so much for the team here and Canada as well. Anytime you’re looked to wear a letter, whether it’s a ‘C’ or an ‘A’ or be a part of Team Canada is an honour.”
We went to a guy who has played as much international hockey as anyone — Corey Perry — for his assessment. He thought about it, but not for long.
“They’re both great leaders, they both lead the same way,” assessed the two-time Olympian. “But I agree with (McDavid). Sid’s the guy. World Cup, Olympics, Stanley Cup — he’s done it all. I have full faith in Sid.
“He’s done it. He knows how to do it. He can lead the country.”
There are usually 32 captains in the NHL, and scads of players who captained junior and minor league teams on their way up. But the task is unique, either at a 4 Nations tournament where you might play just four games, or at an Olympic Games that lasts only a couple of pressure-packed weeks.
“It’s just the challenge of becoming a team,” Crosby said. “Just getting comfortable in a role, and understanding what’s expected of you, where you fit in a group. You’ve got a lot of guys who are used to being ‘the guy,’ and as much as everyone wants to be able to do that, you have to have that (team-first) mentality. (You have to) maybe give a little bit.
“So, just understanding that and trying to find that balance is something that takes a little bit of time,” he said. “But you don’t have a ton of time. You’ve got to figure that out quick.”
McDavid played in three world junior tournaments, and the World Cup — again, not as a member of Team Canada. He’s only worn the maple leaf on his chest as a pro in a pair of world championships, which does not qualify as best on best.
The fact the NHL has skipped Olympic Games — and the World Cup went into hibernation — has left McDavid unable to say he’s ever shared a dressing room with Crosby for a meaningful hockey game.
He can’t wait for that drought to end.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with Sid, but also to play with so many of the guys,” McDavid said. “Nate (MacKinnon). (Cale) Makar… The list goes on and on of great Canadian players.”
“He’s used to high expectations put on his shoulders,” Crosby said, “but playing in the Stanley Cup Final, getting to Game 7?
“I don’t want to speak for him, but I think he’ll be pretty excited waiting this long and playing for Canada and some of the best players in the world.”
