Connor Mcdavid: connor mcdavid Emerging as Crosby’s Olympic Torchbearer
Connor Mcdavid has taken on an expanded leadership role for Canada at Milano Cortina 2026 after Sidney Crosby exited the quarterfinal with an apparent lower-body injury. connor mcdavid is the tournament leader with 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) and could wear the captain’s "C" in Friday’s semifinal against Finland if Crosby is ruled out.
Crosby's injury and semifinal status
Sidney Crosby left Wednesday’s quarterfinal after an awkward lower-body hit and did not return. The team’s medical staff is evaluating him and his status is not yet settled; coaching staff emphasized a day-by-day approach. The semifinal against Finland is scheduled for Friday at 10: 40am ET, and international rules require a designated captain be on the ice for the game.
Connor Mcdavid — connor mcdavid ascends
Mcdavid has led the tournament in points with 11 (2-9) while playing in his second best-on-best event in a year. He has been first on the ice at practice and has drawn clear praise from veteran teammates for the level of his play. If Crosby is unavailable, Mcdavid would be expected to wear the captain’s letter for the semifinal; team officials declined to name a replacement while Crosby’s condition remains unresolved.
Younger linemate Celebrini closing gap
Rookie linemate Macklin Celebrini is two points behind Mcdavid, with five goals and four assists, and has matched several notable tournament marks for a teenager and for Canadian goal totals at an Olympics involving NHL players. Celebrini has provided critical secondary scoring, including a multi-point performance in the quarterfinal that helped send the game to overtime.
What this means for Friday and beyond
The immediate observable indicators are straightforward: Mcdavid’s offensive totals (11 points) and Celebrini’s 9 points frame Canada’s top-end production heading into the semifinal at 10: 40am ET on Friday. If Crosby is sidelined, Canada would formally shift leadership duties on the ice and in-game decision making toward Mcdavid and the other established leaders on the roster. The team’s stated approach is cautious; players and staff have stressed depth of leadership in the dressing room regardless of who wears the letter.
- Key takeaways: Mcdavid leads the tournament with 11 points; Celebrini has nine points; semifinal is Friday at 10: 40am ET.
On the forward-looking side, Canada’s path depends on measurable factors: Crosby’s clearance to play and Mcdavid’s ability to sustain his current level against a strong Finnish squad. Those items are expected to be clarified in the hours leading up to Friday’s puck drop. Any formal captaincy change for the game would be implemented under international roster rules if Crosby is unavailable.
