Sidney Crosby gingerly stepped on the ice. The tv cameras perched within the stands adopted his each transfer.
A serious damage concern forward of the 4 Nations Face-Off event, Canada’s captain gently stickhandled earlier than firing some pucks on internet.
He was along with his teammates for his or her first observe. Huge questions additionally remained concerning the 37-year-old star’s well being with a brief runway.
Crosby answered any doubts moments later as soon as the high-paced drills received going.
The three-time Stanley Cup champion will swimsuit up for his nation on the showcase occasion after being felled by an upper-body ailment final week that price him two video games with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“Met with a couple different doctors,” Crosby mentioned of getting greenlighted. “I’ve talked to docs right here and had some good dialogue with the coaches.
“There’s been a lot of questions. A lot of, ‘How are you feeling?’ … I’m excited just to get into a routine here and get back to normal.”
Crosby helped Canada win gold on the 2010 and 2014 Olympics earlier than captaining the nation’s victory on the 2016 World Cup. The NHL then skipped the 2018 Video games for monetary causes earlier than COVID-19 ruined plans for an Olympic return in 2022.
The Cole Harbour, N.S., product did all the pieces he may to make the 4 Nations — an occasion that represents NHL gamers’ return to high-level worldwide competitors.
“It was a busy week,” he mentioned. “Happy to be here and just excited to get going.”
Head coach John Cooper mentioned Crosby remains to be thought of day-to-day with Canada set to open the round-robin event Wednesday towards Sweden on the Bell Centre. The USA and Finland meet Thursday.
“There’s so much humility that just bleeds through him,” mentioned Cooper, the Tampa Bay Lightning coach. “You discuss desirous to play in your nation … it’s exceptional, the eagerness he has for it.
“It’s probably a reason why he’s got a whole lot of wins and not a whole lot of losses when he plays in these events.”
Crosby’s compatriots had been excited to see their chief push by.
“You’re concerned about him,” Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid mentioned. “Great sign that he looks so good out there. Looks ready to roll.”
Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 55 factors (17 objectives, 41 assists) in 55 video games this season. The three-time Stanley Cup winner grew to become the 21s participant in NHL historical past rating 600 instances when he reached the milestone in November.
“This is an awesome opportunity, something I haven’t done in a long time,” Crosby mentioned of the 4 Nations. “I wanted to be part of this group and also wanted to make sure that I can play at the level that you need.”
Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart mentioned No. 87 units the tone in each method for Canada.
“The guy that guys are looking towards, especially an experience like this where it’s new for so many,” Reinhart mentioned. “Guys know he hasn’t played the last couple and it’s easy to see what it means to him.”
Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon — additionally from Cole Harbour — admitted to being one of many folks pestering Crosby on his standing.
“He wasn’t answering my calls,” joked the reigning Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP. “I don’t assume he likes folks asking him how he’s doing. He’s as powerful because it will get.
“Not worried about that guy.”
WATCH l 4 Nations Face-off puckdrop in Montreal approaches:
The Bell Centre is the primary of two venues, internet hosting a lot of the world’s greatest hockey stars as they play for his or her nation in a best-on-best event for the primary time in almost a decade.
Lining up
Crosby centred a line with MacKinnon on the suitable and Vegas Golden Knights winger Mark Stone on the left.
Cooper additionally rolled out McDavid between Reinhart and Toronto Maple Leafs ahead Mitch Marner as a part of a talent-ladened group up entrance.
“You’ve got speed, you’ve got brains and you’ve got guys that can shoot in the net,” Cooper mentioned of the McDavid-Reinhart-Marner trio. “You hand me a line like that, I’ll take my chances.”
Crease query
Cooper wouldn’t reveal his beginning goaltender, however made it clear there received’t be a cut up between Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, Adin Hill of Vegas and Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens with simply three preliminary spherical video games and a possible remaining.
“It’s not like anybody can’t do it,” mentioned Cooper, who will announce his option to face Sweden following Tuesday observe. “Somebody’s got to be put into the net first, but I don’t see it being a rotation.”
Getting the decision
Los Angeles Kings defenceman Drew Doughty, who has two Olympic gold medals, wasn’t named to Canada’s authentic roster after struggling a damaged ankle in pre-season.
However when Golden Knights blueliner Alex Pietrangelo backed out with an undisclosed ailment, the door swung open for the 35-year-old to play his method again into rivalry.
“It meant the world to me,” Doughty, who has dressed for six video games since his return, mentioned of getting the nod to as soon as once more characterize his nation. “It was probably the best day I’ve had in a lot of months. I was just super excited. I’ll do whatever role they need me to play.”
