‘Should Be Sid’ — McDavid on Canada’s Captain for 4 Nations

Maybe some people thought the 4 Nations Face-Off in February would be the ideal time for some torch-passing on Team Canada. Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid is not in that camp. He likes the old guard when it comes to who should be team captain for that international tournament.

McDavid, whose Oilers host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, was asked Thursday during an interview session about who should wear the “C” for Canada in that tournament. Without hesitation, he pointed to the player who has worn it several times before — Sidney Crosby.

“Should be Sid for sure,” McDavid said of the Penguins star center. “That’s not even a question. It’s just how it should be. He’s Sidney Crosby, and he’s been there so many times. He’s the guy.

“It’s not like I’ve thought about it a lot. It’s just such a no-brainer.”

National teams from Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland will play in the tournament in Boston and Montreal while the NHL takes a break from its schedule.

In the meantime, McDavid and Crosby will be on opposite sides Friday.

It’s always an event when Crosby’s Penguins and McDavid’s Oilers meet in an NHL game. McDavid said the matchup Friday won’t be flavored by the fact that the two of them are expected to be teammates with Team Canada in February.

“I don’t think it will be any different,” McDavid said of Friday’s game. “We still want to win; he still wants to win. That competitive fire will be there.

“But come February we’ll be teammates, and that will be a great time, too. I’m really looking forward to it. Obviously to play with Sid, but to play with so many of the guys — Nate (MacKinnon), (Cale) Makar, the lists goes on and on of great Canadian players. Really looking forward to that event. All four teams will be really good teams, and and highly competitive. It’s anyone’s tournament to win.”

We hope to update this story with Crosby’s reaction following the Penguins’ practice Thursday afternoon in Edmonton.