Sidney Crosby (Credit: Getty Images)

The image of Sidney Crosby has become one of the largest plots of the recent NHL news cycle after the devastating loss of Team Canada in the Winter Olympics 2026. In the tournament, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins was absent during the gold medal game after having been injured in the lower part of the body.As the NHL season is back on schedule, it did not take long before the spotlight moved off the disappointment surrounding the world at large, to the availability of Crosby in the future NHL games. Although the initial signs point to the fact that the injury might not be an issue that will force them to perform surgery, the Penguins are still waiting to get the medical picture clear before they establish the time when he will be able to come back.

Sidney Crosby Team Canada quarterfinal injury details emerge and Pittsburgh Penguins contingency plans

The accident took place when Team Canada was playing in a quarter-final match with Team Czechia in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Crosby stumbled over Czech defenseman Radko Gudas on the red line, appearing to be at least straining his knee, with his legs parting as he fell. Although he took a brief stay in the game, he failed to reappear in the third period.The former NFL doctor, David J. Chao, publicly opined that the injury was a low-grade MCL sprain, with an estimated potential March recovery time frame for Crosby with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Yet, TSN insider Darren Dreger raised doubts about the reasonableness of external medical speculation without any direct examination.Back in the Penguins, Dan Muse, the head coach, affirmed that the organization was collecting more information. To be safe, the team has remembered forward Avery Hayes, and Rickard Rakell has filled in at center in the absence of Crosby.The recovery of Crosby has been at the center of the short-term plans of Pittsburgh, considering the fact that some of the most significant NHL events are on the anvil, such as games against New Jersey Devils and Vegas Golden Knights. More injury news on the NHL is anticipated after practice later this week.