Sidney Crosby is open to handing Connor McDavid the reins should the two ever suit up together for Team Canada.
The NHL and NHLPA recently announced plans to kick-start a regular international tournament schedule in 2025, and Crosby said he'd be thrilled to suit up alongside McDavid - even if it means sacrificing his usual position.
"I'll go there," Crosby said on Sportsnet's "32 Thoughts" podcast. "I'll play my off-wing, no worries. Listen, I've skated with him and I've played both, so I think I'm good either way with playing center or wing, whatever he wants to do. He can carry the mail. I'll just find the opening."
The NHL hasn't held a best-on-best international tourney since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. Crosby captained Canada to the title, but McDavid suited up for Team North America - a blend of Under-23 players from both Canada and the United States that took the tournament by storm but didn't advance past the group stage.
While nothing is finalized, the NHL hopes to host a World Cup in 2025 before returning to the Olympics in 2026. The league's intention is to hold World Cups on the even years between the Winter Games going forward.
Crosby will turn 38 in 2025, but age is unlikely be a consideration when Canada assembles its next team. He captained the country to gold at the Sochi Games in 2014, scored the winning goal at the Vancouver Games in 2010, and also has world junior and world championship gold medals on his resume.
McDavid hasn't represented Canada since the 2018 world championship, where he wore the "C" and captured a gold medal. The 26-year-old has also won world junior and Under-18 gold.
A Crosby-McDavid partnership would make Canada a clear-cut favorite in the eyes of many, but Crosby doesn't think it's that simple.
"Seeing all the other countries, you look at their lineups. I mean, it's pretty tight," Crosby said. "I mean, there's no real favored team. It's easy to say Canada because we've had success at Olympics and that sort of thing. But, I mean, the hockey is incredible. And from my experience, it doesn't really get any better than that, when you're looking at the lineups and you're looking to players that are assembled."
