The Sidney Crosby watch is on as Team Canada looks to finalize its roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Crosby was on the ice as Canada held its first practice in Montreal on Monday.
The 37-year-old missed the last two games with the Pittsburgh Penguins before the 4 Nations Face-Off with an upper-body injury. This casted doubt as to whether he could play in the tournament.
However, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the decision to play in the 4 Nations Face-Off will be in Crosby’s hands.
“The Penguins have said that this is his call,” Friedman continued on the Saturday Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada. “Obviously, Sidney Crosby being who he is and what he’s done for this franchise, they have said, ‘If you want to play in this, it’s your decision and we will support it.’”
Crosby had been skating with the Penguins in practice.
Friedman added that Crosby’s decision rests on whether he believes he will be able to play to the standard he sets for himself.
“He does have a certain expectation for himself and he wants to believe that he can be at or near that level before he commits.”
In 55 games this season, Crosby leads the Penguins with 17 goals and 58 points.
The Cole Harbour, N.S., native was named the captain of Canada for the tournament and is hoping to play for his home country for the first time since the World Cup of Hockey back in 2016.
The deadline for teams to submit finalized rosters is 5 p.m. ET Monday.
