Crosby Signals a Passing of the Torch to McDavid

As a league leader and player, he elevated the league to new levels of competitiveness and entertainment, establishing himself as the best player of his time.

With Wayne Gretzky's era on the decline, Crosby captivated audiences with his talents, a feat he continues to accomplish today, contributing to the Pittsburgh Penguins' victory in three Stanley Cups during his tenure.

Fast forward a decade, in 2015, the Edmonton Oilers chose the next generational talent, Connor McDavid. Like Crosby, McDavid was hailed as the next generational talent long before his NHL debut. He has dazzled the NHL world with his impressive statistics, extraordinary skill set, and hockey IQ that ranks off the charts, all complemented by his blazing speed.

Now it appears that Crosby and McDavid have reached a crossroads, marking the beginning of a torch-passing moment, especially since it seems likely that the NHL will once again allow its players to participate in the Olympics in 2026.

The last time NHL players participated in the Olympics was during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The NHL's decision to bar its players from competing left many Canadian-born hockey players disappointed, including McDavid, who began his career in 2015.

Now, the likelihood of NHL players participating in the Olympics has increased, and Crosby indicated his willingness to make several changes, including transitioning to the wing, to support the Canadian team in winning the gold medal.

During a recent interview, Crosby spoke with Elliot Friedman and Jeff Marek of the "32 Thoughts" podcast about his decision, stating,

Crosby's message to McDavid also conveyed that he is passing the torch of Team Canada to the younger superstar, granting him his blessing as the new leader of the Canadian team while currently assuming a secondary role at the age of 36.

The next Winter Olympics will take place in Milan, Italy, from February 6th, 2026, to February 22nd, 2026.