McDavid did play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, but on an under-23 North American squad rather than for Team Canada. He captained a high-flying collection of the game’s preeminent talents like Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel and the late Johnny Gaudreau.

After missing Pittsburgh's final two games before the NHL break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, Sidney Crosby took part in Canada's first practice Monday and declared himself good to go. When it comes to a rare chance to play in an international tournament with the best players in the world,

MONTREAL -- The Sidney Crosby watch for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off reached peak level before the Pittsburgh Penguins center practiced with Canada on Monday and was deemed ready to play the best-on-best tournament beginning against Sweden at Bell Centre in Montreal on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS).