The hockey world doesn’t simply have the 2024-25 NHL season to sit up for. The long-awaited 4 Nations Face-Off is simply across the nook. For the primary time since 2016, NHL gamers from Canada, the USA, Sweden, and Finland have the possibility to signify their nation on the highest stage. For Workforce Canada, this poses a novel problem: Who might be named captain? Workforce Canada should select between Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid.
One possibility is Crosby, a seasoned chief in worldwide tournaments. The opposite is the world’s greatest participant, although comparatively inexperienced in these settings. Each are compelling selections for captaincy.
Crosby’s resume as a frontrunner for Workforce Canada is phenomenal. He captained the 2014 Olympic crew to gold and famously scored the extra time winner on the 2010 Winter Olympics. Within the NHL, he’s guided his crew to 3 Stanley Cup championships, constantly taking part in a pivotal position. Past his accolades, Crosby’s affect on the sport is profound—his type of play formed a era of gamers, together with McDavid. His legacy and contributions make him a determine of admiration and respect within the hockey world.
A proponent of Crosby’s captaincy case is Ray Ferraro, stating on the Ray and Dregs podcast, “There’s a respect issue to it.”
New Age Expertise Versus an Getting older Legend
However, maybe Crosby feels it’s time to go the torch.
Regardless of nonetheless placing up near 100 factors a season, the just about 40-year-old is on the again 9 of his unforgettable profession. The indication of Crosby’s sooner-than-later retirement comes within the type of him solely signing a two-year extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins this offseason. Inevitably, McDavid will naturally tackle the position of Workforce Canada captain, maybe as early because the Olympics. Ought to Crosby simply give him that position now?
The youthful McDavid has paved his personal historic path, even when it hasn’t been representing Canada. McDavid holds a greater than spectacular NHL resume and is solidifying himself within the historical past books. Solely 18 factors away from 1000 profession NHL factors, he has recorded 982 factors in simply 645 video games. This provides him the possibility to turn into the third quickest participant to hit this milestone in NHL historical past, presumably surpassing Crosby by practically 100 video games.
Moreover, McDavid holds the third-highest profession factors per sport common in NHL historical past. He sits solely behind Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Crosby sits in eighth place all time.
The final time McDavid performed in a global match was practically a decade in the past. Within the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, McDavid captained the North American children crew to a 3-2 document. Whereas not spectacular at first look, McDavid’s crew consisted of gamers 23 years outdated and youthful. This leaves McDavid extensively inexperienced with regards to worldwide best-on-best hockey. The 4 Nations Faceoff would be the first time McDavid will signify Workforce Canada as an grownup.
Would it not Take for McDavid to be Named 4 Nations Captain?
On the Ray and Dregs podcast, Darren Dreger contrasted Ferraro, stating that McDavid might be captain and “Crosby might be okay with that.”
Ryan Rishaug added to that, stating that if McDavid had been to be named Workforce Canada captain, Crosby would have provided that position to McDavid. Turning down the provide to captain the crew, virtually passing the torch to McDavid.
Each Crosby and McDavid make sturdy candidates for the Canadian captaincy. Irrespective of who will get it, hockey followers are simply excited to see NHL gamers in worldwide play for the primary time in eight years. Moreover, will probably be the primary time Crosby and McDavid will play for a similar crew, one thing Canadians have waited a very long time for.
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