BROSSARD, Que. — Sidney Crosby gingerly stepped on the ice. The television cameras perched in the stands followed his every move.
A major injury concern ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, Canada's captain gently stickhandled before firing some pucks on net.
He was with his teammates for their first practice. Big questions also remained about the 37-year-old star's health with a short runway.
Crosby answered any doubts moments later once the high-paced drills got going.
The three-time Stanley Cup champion will suit up for his country at the showcase event after being felled by an upper-body ailment last week that cost him two games with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"Met with a couple different doctors," Crosby said of getting greenlighted. "I've talked to docs here and had some good dialogue with the coaches.
"There's been a lot of questions. A lot of, 'How are you feeling?' … I'm excited just to get into a routine here and get back to normal."
Crosby helped Canada win gold at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics before captaining the country's victory at the 2016 World Cup. The NHL then skipped the 2018 Games for financial reasons before COVID-19 ruined plans for an Olympic return in 2022.
The Cole Harbour, N.S., product did everything he could to make the 4 Nations — an event that represents NHL players' return to high-level international competition.
"It was a busy week," he said. "Happy to be here and just excited to get going."
Head coach Jon Cooper said Crosby is still considered day-to-day with Canada set to open the round-robin tournament Wednesday against Sweden at the Bell Centre. The United States and Finland meet Thursday.
"There's so much humility that just bleeds through him," said Cooper, the Tampa Bay Lightning coach. "You talk about wanting to play for your country … it's remarkable, the passion he has for it.
"It's probably a reason why he's got a whole lot of wins and not a whole lot of losses when he plays in these events."
Crosby's compatriots were excited to see their leader push through.
"You're concerned about him," Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid said. "Great sign that he looks so good out there. Looks ready to roll."
Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 55 points (17 goals, 41 assists) in 55 games this season. The three-time Stanley Cup winner became the 21s player in NHL history score 600 times when he reached the milestone in November.
"This is an awesome opportunity, something I haven't done in a long time," Crosby said of the 4 Nations. "I wanted to be part of this group and also wanted to make sure that I can play at the level that you need."
Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart said No. 87 sets the tone in every way for Canada.
"The guy that guys are looking towards, especially an experience like this where it's new for so many," Reinhart said. "Guys know he hasn't played the last couple and it's easy to see what it means to him."
Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon — also from Cole Harbour — admitted to being one of the people pestering Crosby on his status.
"He wasn't answering my calls," joked the reigning Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP. "I don't think he likes people asking him how he's doing. He's as tough as it gets.
"Not worried about that guy."
LINING UP
Crosby centred a line with MacKinnon on the right and Vegas Golden Knights winger Mark Stone on the left.
Cooper also rolled out McDavid between Reinhart and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner as part of a talent-ladened group up front.
"You've got speed, you've got brains and you've got guys that can shoot in the net," Cooper said of the McDavid-Reinhart-Marner trio. "You hand me a line like that, I'll take my chances."
CREASE QUESTION
Cooper wouldn't reveal his starting goaltender, but made it clear there won't be a split between Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, Adin Hill of Vegas and Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens with just three preliminary round games and a potential final.
"It's not like anybody can't do it," said Cooper, who will announce his choice to face Sweden following Tuesday practice. "Somebody's got to be put into the net first, but I don't see it being a rotation."
GETTING THE CALL
Los Angeles Kings defenceman Drew Doughty, who has two Olympic gold medals, wasn't named to Canada's original roster after suffering a broken ankle in pre-season.
But when Golden Knights blueliner Alex Pietrangelo backed out with an undisclosed ailment, the door swung open for the 35-year-old to play his way back into contention.
"It meant the world to me," Doughty, who has dressed for six games since his return, said of getting the nod to once again represent his country. "It was probably the best day I've had in a lot of months. I was just super excited. I'll do whatever role they need me to play."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2025.
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
