For nearly two decades, Sidney Crosby has been synonymous with Team Canada’s dominance on the international stage. His legacy is unmatched, from Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014 to captaining Canada and winning the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Now, as he headlines the 4 Nations Face-Off, Crosby is captain of his country again at a tournament that sees the NHLers back at best-on-best international action. At 37, recovering from the upper-body injury that kept him out of action before the break, the question is being asked: Is this the last time that Crosby will wear the Maple Leaf?

Despite his age, Sidney Crosby remains the NHL’s most stable and effective player. He’s accumulated 58 points on 55 games this season with the Penguins to date, which indicates that he is still at elite performance levels. However, his latest injury—the sort that made him miss a couple of games a little while back before the international break—generated growing speculation about his endurance to the physical demands of international action.

Even with those concerns, Crosby shut down any doubts about his ability to compete, confidently stating that he is “good to go” for the tournament. Head coach John Cooper praised Crosby’s unwavering commitment to representing his country, calling it a testament to his dedication and leadership.

Those close to him value the scale of this chance. Having had opportunities to compete with Team Canada, which was denied him by the NHL participation break at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Games, Sidney Crosby is taking the chance to lead his country again on the ice. Though still determined to win the 4 Nations Face-Off with Team Canada, speculation about his next destination following this tournament abides.

The biggest question of all? Will Crosby return to have a final shot at the 2026 Olympics, or is this farewell to the international scene?

What’s the future of Sidney Crosby’s international career?

If this is Crosby’s final international tournament, it wouldn’t be a surprise. Many Canadian legends—Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Steve Yzerman—stepped away from international play in their late 30s, allowing younger stars to take over.

With Connor McDavid (28) and Nathan MacKinnon (29) at the peak of their careers, the next set of superstars is ready to lead Team Canada into the next decade. Yet, while other superstars have stepped into different roles, Sidney Crosby is still a premium player within the NHL to this very day. His experience, captainship, and clutch performance ability can still make him a quality asset to the 2026 Olympic team.

Teammates have also indicated their belief that Crosby had something to give. Friend and linemate Nathan MacKinnon made a joke about the situation by stating that Crosby was blowing off his call before the tournament, which is to say that he was not interested in being asked about his status. Connor McDavid was happy to have the ice back with Crosby and called him “as tough as they get.”

Another suggestion is that Crosby transition into a leadership role instead of a frontline player. He might not have the same role as he did a decade ago, but his presence on the bench and in the locker room could be worth a lot in helping guide Canada’s next generation of superstars.

As much as his supporters want him to compete at the 2026 Olympics, the latter himself hasn’t made a choice regarding this. For the time being, his priority is to lead Canada to the 4 Nations Face-Off win, but the moment this tournament is complete, his international career will be a major talking point.

Sidney Crosby no longer has much to prove at the international level. From scoring winners at the grandest of stages to being captain of a multitude of title-winners, his name is etched into Team Canada’s hockey heritage.

Yet, as he embarks on the 4 Nations Face-Off, the question is with the supporters: Is this the last time that he will sport the Maple Leaf? Or will he go the distance to insert himself into the 2026 Olympiad? While Crosby’s decision is unknown at present, this is certain—that whenever he retires from the ice, his Team Canada heritage will outlast the passage of time.