Sidney Crosby’s injury just triggered an Olympic rule Team Canada can’t ignore

Canada is weighing having to make a difficult decision with their leadership if Sidney Crosby is unavailable to play for the next two games at the Olympics.

Crosby, who was injured in the second period of Canada's 4-3 quarterfinals win against Czechia, is not yet ruled out for Friday's semifinal matchup against Finland, but if not, Canada would have a leadership decision to make.

IIHF rules for the Olympic games state that Canada needs to have a captain for the remaining games, and if Crosby is indeed out against Finland, and for the subsequent medal game, someone else would have to take the "C" for the Canadians.

Although that isn't something Canada is focusing on, optimistic that their named captain will be back, Canada may have to pick a new captain late in the tournament as a leader.

If Sidney Crosby is out of the tournament, someone else needs to take the mantle and be Canada's leader, but who that may be weighs a few potential options.

The answer that may appear the likeliest is assistant captain Connor McDavid, with the Oilers star the Canadians most important player and top line centre, making him an option that's sensible if focusing on the aspect of star power.

The other Canadian assistant captain, Cale Makar, could be another option, with the 27-year-old Canada's leader on the back end, and arguably the second most important skater for the team behind McDavid.

Another option could be a non-assistant in Nathan MacKinnon. Not only would MacKinnon step in for his fellow Cole Harbour native Crosby, but would allow for McDavid & Makar to remain as assistants.

Both MacKinnon and McDavid have fought for the lead in the NHL's point race, but potentially if either McDavid or Makar are named captain, MacKinnon may be a strong candidate to take an "A".

Other dark horse options could include Drew Doughty, the only other member of the 2026 team besides Crosby to have won gold with Canada, having been on the 2010 and 2014 teams.

Brad Marchand, the oldest player for Canada, could be another surprise choice for the captaincy, but may be more likely to be an assistant candidate than in leadership.

19-year-old Macklin Celebrini is an unlikely option, but has shown maturity beyond his years to warrant a potential assistant captain choice.

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