Connor McDavid Bluntly Addresses Becoming Captain of Team Canada

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Liam McCormick
October 24, 2024 (12:23)

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Connor McDavid is far and away the best player in the NHL, which has led to some questions about whether he'll take over the mantle of Canada's Captaincy from Sidney Crosby.

After practice today, some reporters directly asked McDavid if he had any interest in becoming Canada's Captain, but he shot down the prospect instantly. McDavid said it should be Crosby without a doubt.

McDavid has the skill level, leadership, and the playoff experience as well to lead a group like Team Canada, but he still has the ultimate respect for the living legend Crosby.

The NHL has been removed from international hockey for going on 10 years now, but the last two times Canada went to the Olympics, Crosby was an absolute superstar - of course scoring the Golden Goal in Vancouver 2010, too. It's incredible to think of how far Crosby's come since last appearing in the Olympics. He's won two more Stanley Cups and played over half of his career since then, and is still one of the NHL's most elite players. At 37 years old and likely representing Canada for the last time in the 2026 Olympics, Crosby should be Captain of Canada once more.

The Four Nations Faceoff revealed their ticket information and jerseys for the first time yesterday. It's not a perfect international tournament, but it's at least a warm up for a return to the Olympics in Milan.

It's amazing to see McDavid's respect and deference to one of the most respected players in hockey, who fully deserves to be a Canada's Captain again. McDavid himself is just 27 years old, and if his career continues on his current path, he'll have plenty more opportunities to be Captain Canada in the future.