PITTSBURGH — Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby, the co-prides of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, have arguably the most famous friendship in the NHL.
Every time they face each other in a league game, MacKinnon’s reverence for Crosby as a kid and their long-standing close friendship that grew as he became a star with the Colorado Avalanche is a popular storyline. MacKinnon mentioned multiple times Wednesday after practice ahead of the latest showdown that his resume doesn’t quite stack up to Crosby’s.
One part of MacKinnon’s hockey CV that can’t compare to Crosby’s is not his fault. MacKinnon has never played for Canada in a senior best-on-best tournament, in part because the NHL decided against sending its players to the 2018 Winter Olympics, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the league to pull out in 2022, and there hasn’t been a World Cup of Hockey since 2016.
That is something that MacKinnon wants to change, and he’d very much like the opportunity to do it with his buddy.
“We won world championships together back in 2015, which was awesome. We played on each other’s line a little bit, which was really cool. I was 19.
“Hopefully we go to Italy in ’26 and play together. That would be awesome.”
Crosby has won the Stanley Cup three times with the Penguins, but his status as an all-time great is supplemented by his stellar international resume. His golden goal at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver is one of the most famous moments in Canadian hockey history.
He captained Canada to a repeat win at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Crosby was named MVP of the last world cup in 2016 while again captaining the Canadians to victory.
MacKinnon participated in the 2016 world cup, but as a member of Team North America, a roster of young stars that included Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel. No one from that generation has had the chance to play for their country on one of the sport’s two biggest stages, but the NHL is hopeful that its players will return to the Olympics in 2026. There could also still be a world cup staged ahead of that tournament in 2025.
Both players expected to have time to catch up after their respective practices Wednesday at PPG Paints Arena. The Avalanche is 6-0 and leads the NHL in goal differential (plus-16), while the Penguins have been inconsistent to start the season despite adding Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Erik Karlsson during the offseason.
“Obviously we spend a lot of time together,” Crosby said. “We’re neighbors (in the offseason), so I think we’ve spent a lot of time training and with talking hockey a lot (our relationship) has grown. It’s fun to see him doing as well as he’s doing. I know he puts a lot into it.”
MacKinnon leads the NHL with 38 shots on goal. He has four goals and seven points in six games, including a key tally Tuesday night in a 7-4 win against the Islanders. Crosby has three goals and six points in six games.
This is Crosby’s 19th NHL season, and he’s averaged at least one point per game every year. If he maintains that standard in 2023-24, he will tie Wayne Gretzky for the most in NHL history.
“I think he’s as a good a leader as ever,” MacKinnon said. “I don’t play with him, but just being around him I can kind of feel it and tell. He has accomplished everything there is to accomplish, but he’s still hungry for more. That is pretty cool, and it’s something I can relate to. I haven’t accomplished what he has, but just always wanting more — he’s the epitome of that.
“Obviously a class act — the perfect ambassador for hockey. On and off the ice he’s a true pro and one of the best ever. I hope people give him all the credit he deserves.”
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