There is no shortage of appreciation for Sidney Crosby in the hockey world. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain boasts a long and decorated career. Crosby, 38, has influenced countless hockey players, both amateur and professional.
Connor McDavid is one of those players. Now, the Edmonton Oilers captain will have an opportunity to play with Crosby at the upcoming Olympics. McDavid, 28, hasn’t been on an NHL team with Crosby, but the two were both on Team Canada’s 4 Nations Faceoff team, which walked away with the championship.
McDavid spoke with the media at Team Canada’s orientation camp on August 27th. He summed up what it means to him to play with Crosby at the upcoming Olympics.
Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid
Crosby is no stranger to the international stage. McDavid shared his thoughts and feelings on playing with Crosby at the Olympics and why he thinks that “it’s special.”
“For our generation, for him to still be here and being the captain and still playing a massive role, that’s special,” McDavid said at the August 27th media availability. “It’s special for all of us. We’re obviously really looking forward to that opportunity.”
McDavid went on to discuss Crosby’s influence on him personally, as well as his experience of watching Crosby play in previous Olympics.
“I think that’s been well documented,” McDavid said of Crosby’s influence on him. “Growing up watching Sid and idolizing him, seeing him score that goal (in 2010). He’s cut from the ’06 team and (on) the ’10 (team), he scores that goal. He’s the captain of the ‘14 team.”
“It’s no shortage of what Sid means to me.”
Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers was also in attendance at the availability. He shared some brief words about “Sid the Kid.”
“It doesn’t look like the window’s closing for him anytime soon,” Reinhart shared. “He’s a day-by-day guy focused on the now, that’s motivating for us. We’re excited about that opportunity.”
Sidney Crosby Shines on the International Stage
The 4 Nations Faceoff saw Crosby and McDavid play on the same team. McDavid saw most of his ice time playing with Mitch Marner (who was still with the Toronto Maple Leafs), Mark Stone, and Brayden Point. Alternatively, Crosby spent a good amount of ice time with Reinhart and Nathan MacKinnon.
While neither Crosby nor McDavid led the competition in points, they both tied for second in scoring with five points each. Crosby recorded one goal and four assists, while averaging 17:35 per game. Additionally, McDavid boasted three goals, including the “Golden Goal,” to go along with two assists. McDavid averaged 20:56 per game, the highest for all of Team Canada’s forwards.
Crosby still has a lot left in the tank during the regular season, too. In the 2024-25 season, he finished 10th overall in points, recording 91 points in 80 games. He had the third-most game-winning goals (10), demonstrating that he still possesses the talent to score big goals in big moments.
Crosby is on another level. He was touted as a generational player when he first took to the ice in the NHL. Now, the face of the NHL has chimed in on one of the most decorated players ever to hit the NHL ice.
“It’s special” feels like the right way to sum it up.
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