The Winter Olympics are just around the corner and Team Canada will feature one of the most power packed duos up front in Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid skating alongside Sidney Crosby.
The mutual respect between these two generational talents runs deep with McDavid openly calling Crosby his idol while the Penguins legend has praised the Oilers captain as ‘so dangerous’ admitting that playing with him is far preferable to playing against him.
McDavid hasn't been shy about his admiration for Crosby. "[Crosby] was my idol growing up," the Oilers captain stated in an interview with NHL.com. "So, to be able to play with him and represent our country together on the biggest stage, it's exciting."
The chance to wear Team Canada's jersey alongside the player who inspired his hockey journey represents a dream come true for McDavid. "It's nice to answer questions about playing together as opposed to always playing against him," he added.
Sidney Crosby holds Connor McDavid in high regard
The respect flows both ways. Crosby, who has spent years facing McDavid as an opponent couldn't be more relieved to finally have the dynamic forward on his side.
"It's going to be a lot better than playing against him," Crosby said. "He's so dangerous for so many different reasons."
Coming from a player of Crosby's stature, that assessment carries so much weight. Having battled against McDavid's explosive speed and elite playmaking countless times, the Pittsburgh icon knows exactly what kind of threat his former adversary brings to any lineup.
Building on 4 Nations success for 2026 Olympics
The duo already has winning chemistry. McDavid and Crosby captured the 4 Nations Face-Off championship together with McDavid delivering the overtime winner against the United States.
That tournament provided the perfect preview of what these two can accomplish when united.
"I had a great time playing with him at 4 Nations," Crosby recalled. Now, as the Olympics draw near, both players are eager to replicate that success on hockey's biggest stage.
McDavid emphasized the magnitude of Olympic competition calling it the biggest sporting event in the world and noting how special it feels:
"With it being the Olympics, the biggest sporting event in the world, and to be able to represent our country and be on a bigger level than just our sport, and to be part of Team Canada as a whole, it's special."
With their proven chemistry from the 4 Nations triumph and clear mutual admiration, McDavid and Crosby are positioned to lead Canada's charge for Olympic gold. The hockey world will be watching as childhood idol and inspired fan become teammates once again in pursuit of the ultimate prize.