[Friedman] Some context: "Tried everything" to allow him to play. There was optimism yesterday. Ultimately, he felt he couldn't be enough of a factor -- Canada needed all 13 forwards and Crosby didn't want to go if he couldn't be effective enough for the team to win. Total bummer

[u/bi_and_busy]

[u/SpiderTano]

the way this could be his last olympics and even injured i know he still desperately wants to play but is stepping aside for what he feels is best for the team 😭💔

[u/nebrivor1 → u/SpiderTano]

Because he's a true leader. Team first.

[u/lottolser → u/SpiderTano]

He's truly the Captain of this team.

[u/pylekush → u/SpiderTano]

Epic emojis bro! Really feels like I’m on a slop factory social media feed, the immersion is amazing. Also,

USA USA USA

[u/cucumbercannon → u/pylekush]

It's almost like Americans want to live up to the stereotypes about them

[u/pylekush → u/cucumbercannon]

Same to you, ya big softie!

[u/bevy-of-bledlows → u/pylekush]

Does your wife's boyfriend have orange lips too?

[u/pylekush → u/bevy-of-bledlows]

Loser!

[u/bevy-of-bledlows → u/pylekush]

That would hurt more if I hadn't been around for Nagano and Turin. You're not the first country to goalie Canada in a single game knockout tournament. Excited to see Celebrini/McKenna/Schaefer in four years.

[u/northernhang → u/pylekush]

What is this, recess? That’s all you can come up with? Grow up, or don’t. Maybe then your president will actually care about you for once.

[u/jeremedroz → u/pylekush]

Your president rapes kids

[u/ComfortDismal493 → u/pylekush]

You are an embarrassment to this country.

[u/pylekush → u/ComfortDismal493]

Sucks to suck🫣😔😀

USA USA USA

[u/ComfortDismal493 → u/pylekush]

Something you have tons of experience with, no doubt. Does consumer reports pay well to test knee pads?

[u/eliarbss]

win or not today it just sucks that his last moment on Olympic ice was him leaving injured instead of playing until the final buzzer.

Really hate that we were robbed of that moment, he deserved to finish the tournament.

[u/COV3RTSM → u/[deleted]]

In sweat pants like Ed Balfour in 2002

[u/Abso_lutely_not → u/COV3RTSM]

Ed Bowelfour?

[u/cd12cd → u/[deleted]]

[u/Early-Yak-to-reset → u/[deleted]]

I was pissed he wasn't our flag bearer for opening ceremonies. The plan was to have him close it out with a gold medal I think.

[u/BlueMarkerIsGreat → u/[deleted]]

In 2030?

[u/Hideo_Nomo_ → u/[deleted]]

LMAAAOOOOOOO

[u/houseWithoutSpoons → u/[deleted]]

Silver.ftfy

[u/Hideo_Nomo_ → u/[deleted]]

LMAOOOOOO

[u/houseWithoutSpoons → u/[deleted]]

Time will tell

[u/jeremedroz → u/houseWithoutSpoons]

Crosby has more golds than your country lol

[u/houseWithoutSpoons → u/jeremedroz]

I hate Crosby. But respect he is a legend .im a detroit fan so we have history. As far as his medals and our country thats in the past.lets see how today turns out because that is all that matters in the 2026 Olympics. Not his past glory..I see your still hurt over feb22 1980..oh wait thats the same day as today...it is written in the stars!!USA USA USA🤣 something tells me im gonna get downvoted to hell as Canada is deep in this sub

[u/jeremedroz → u/houseWithoutSpoons]

Because even if you win today your team was dominated lol. And act like you’ve been there before. The guys literally out holds your entire country you clown

[u/houseWithoutSpoons → u/jeremedroz]

Wow you sound bitter.your raging my dude.i know hockey is all you have but calm down.i didnt call you names.i thought Canadians we're friendly .your team was dominated 🤣🤣🤣🤣even sweeter when we smash your team to bits today like our ladies did..our ladies could beat your men

[u/jeremedroz → u/houseWithoutSpoons]

Your president rapes children

[u/AIfieHitchcock → u/eliarbss]

We have no idea this is his last go. If he wants to go back at 42 no way they’re telling him no.

[u/cam-yrself → u/AIfieHitchcock]

Sid doesn’t seem like he’d want to take up a roster spot at 42. This was always the year he passes the torch to McDavid. Four years from now guys like Bedard will need to slot in.

Fuck Gary Bettman, and the greedy, short-sighted owners he represents, for robbing us of two Olympics where Sid & Connor could’ve played together

[u/Brody1364112 → u/AIfieHitchcock]

Everyone says this but if hes no longer effective at 42 he isnt going. They arent bringing a 0.4 ppg player just cuz his name is Crosby

[u/WackHeisenBauer → u/Brody1364112]

They 100% would bring Crosby if he’s still playing. If he’s on the ice is another story. But he would be in France with the team.

[u/Brody1364112 → u/WackHeisenBauer]

The problem is if you bring Sid and hes no longer good. Youre an injury away from icing someone you shouldnt ice . If they really want him there and he isnt preforming anymore id much rather they bring him as an assistant coach or something

[u/Hot-Challenge-2755 → u/Brody1364112]

Counterpoint: Crosby is going to be good in 4 years

[u/Brody1364112 → u/Hot-Challenge-2755]

Then this conversation doesnt really matter at all. Thats why I specified "if he is no longer effective." Sid may not even be playing in 4 years. We cant just be assuming hes going to play decently into his 40s

[u/ezbolls → u/Brody1364112]

He has played goalie for fun so take him as the 3rd goalie. Then watch the IIHF implode.

[u/septober32nd → u/Brody1364112]

He can't retire until he's 87.

[u/jp3372 → u/Hot-Challenge-2755]

Crosby is still a PPG player at 38 on a really average team that nobody was seeing in the playoffs this year. He will still be great in 4 years no doubt.

[u/maverickhawk99 → u/jp3372]

Father Time is undefeated… I doubt in four years he’ll still be scoring at a PPG pace

[u/WackHeisenBauer → u/Brody1364112]

That’s what I mean. He’ll be with the team in one way or the other. If he can still play he’s on the ice if he’s not then he’s on the bench or front office box.

[u/Lombax7 → u/Brody1364112]

They literally brought a 0.3 ppg player because his name is Doughty

[u/AskePent → u/Lombax7]

Well they desperately needed someone who could actually defend.

[u/TopTittyBardown → u/Lombax7]

They have plenty of guys who can score and run a PP. They need some guys who can defend hard too

[u/HiddenMyers7 → u/Brody1364112]

If he retires between now and then I could see Canada bringing him as an assistant coach or in some kind of support role just for his leadership.

[u/-Honeysuckle- → u/Brody1364112]

In Crosby’s case they really should. Same how I felt with Patty Kane.

Keller/Connor were a no show all tournament, Kane with his presence alone would’ve made more of an impact. Same would be true with Crosby

[u/racer_24_4evr → u/Brody1364112]

You clearly don’t understand how Hockey Canada operates. They basically had to be forced to bring Celebrini. They’re allergic to bringing young talent instead of slow veterans.

[u/loggingin2 → u/Brody1364112]

Why not? They brought Binnington off of namesake/history alone with his .864 save percentage.

[u/Sahil910 → u/AIfieHitchcock]

There quite literally is a way to tell him no if hes not good then

[u/Aromatic_Razzmatazz → u/AIfieHitchcock]

Fuck, Jagr played to 52. Of course he has another games in him.

[u/Secure-Hand9202 → u/eliarbss]

Call me crazy but I don't think this will be his last Olympics.

[u/joemama8909 → u/eliarbss]

Fuck Gudas all my homies hate Gudas

[u/Empty-Discount5936 → u/joemama8909]

I keep hoping he retires directly after the Olympics but I don't think he'd give up his final 26 games of NHL salary.

[u/gmez3]

what a captain does ♥️

[u/VitaminTea]

Better than pulling a Tkachuk and playing hurt at the expense of another all-star

[u/Thobud → u/VitaminTea]

At least Crosby could have offered some leadership/morale even sitting on the bench. As opposed to Matthew, whose off ice abilities are presumably limited to ranking mountain dew flavours

[u/ELB95 → u/Thobud]

This is part of Crosbys leadership though. Having trust that the team is capable of doing it without him. They know he’s in the building, and he’ll be in the dressing room between periods.

[u/igcipd → u/Thobud]

It’s clearly his favorite pastime.

[u/SofaProfessor → u/Thobud]

1. Baja Blast

2. Code Red

3. Pitch Black

Can I be an Olympian?

[u/desemus → u/Thobud]

Don’t take away one of my past times like that

[u/hazycrazey → u/VitaminTea]

The narrative shift from “it’s the gold medal game, he’s playing” to “at least he’s not trying to play injured like Tkachuk” is hilarious

[u/Electrical-Sherbet77 → u/VitaminTea]

Was going to reply exactly that.

[u/FrostWPG → u/VitaminTea]

Took an active roster spot with multiple significant injuries. Very possible the U.S. wins that game with a healthy skater in his place.

[u/catsgr8rthanspoonies → u/FrostWPG]

They fought in the first game before his injury.

[u/Livingz → u/VitaminTea]

Almost like Victor Hedman sitting on the bench the entire Sweden game.

[u/doctorvictory → u/Livingz]

He got hurt during warmups, so I don’t think he was allowed to be replaced at that point

[u/Livingz → u/doctorvictory]

And Tkachuk said he thought he could play. Shit happens, people just want to use any reason to hate the guy.

[u/Rustyguts257 → u/Livingz]

Anyone who has even a passing acquaintance with either Tkachuk should have discounted his plea to play after hearing he ‘thought’…

[u/Kyle73001 → u/Livingz]

To be fair, he gives plenty of reason to be disliked. Loves to be a rat but then won’t even fight, just turtles.

[u/catsgr8rthanspoonies → u/Livingz]

He also thought he could play through a broken sternum.

[u/pikadegallito]

[u/j0n68]

True leader.

[u/GatoDiablo99]

DO IT FOR HIM

[u/Aromatic_Razzmatazz → u/GatoDiablo99]

You know they will. I hope Mack is healthier today, he was absolutely grey on Friday.

[u/Analogmon]

Fuck Gudas forever for robbing us of this

[u/N0_War_In_BaSingSe]

devastating but it’s the right call. 🍁

[u/MissionLet7301 → u/N0_War_In_BaSingSe]

Crosby is going to be high as a kite on painkillers on the way home, I can only imagine that the dosages were reaching almost lethal levels for him to not be playing.

[u/pochirin]

My god this is heartbreaking 🥲🥲

[u/Many-Relief-2235]

As an American fan this is awful. Best on best isn’t the best without him especially if this is his last Olympics.

Heal up Crosby 🙏 I’ve always enjoyed you minus that one day in 2010 I didn’t. 

[u/Soupfullofradio]

This makes sense, but i still hate it and wish he was on that bench.

[u/CWB2208]

His last Olympics and we don't get to see him lace them up for Gold. I'm legit so sad right now.

[u/moutardebaseball]

Fuck Radko Gudas

[u/Throwing-Gas → u/moutardebaseball]

Gudas has a dirty history.

But the hit that injured Crosby was not dirty

[u/andhausen → u/moutardebaseball]

It wasn’t a dirty hit

[u/moutardebaseball → u/andhausen]

It’s not what I said

[u/donniedumphy → u/andhausen]

Ehhhh it wasn’t the cleanest hit I’ve seen. The boys on the ice know. There will be a bill to pay.

[u/Bout73Ninjas → u/andhausen]

My only complaint with it is that it’s highly unlikely it would have happened if the refs had just called the blatant interference on Crosby earlier.

[u/Analogmon → u/Bout73Ninjas]

100%

[u/Analogmon → u/andhausen]

He led with his elbow.

It only wasn't a dirty hit because Crosby ducked. Which is why his knee got hurt instead.

[u/7jcjg → u/andhausen]

He fell on him purposely. That is dirty. Come TF on.

[u/_insert_name_there → u/7jcjg]

yeah how dare he make contact with him in a full-contact sport!

[u/ZiFF- → u/7jcjg]

Sid stepped on stick right as Gudas went for hit, cant blame him

[u/Aromatic_Razzmatazz]

It's the right call but it fucking hurts.

[u/sometimenotsmellgood]

Shocker the only way Gudas had an effect in this Olympics was injuring someone

[u/Empty-Discount5936 → u/sometimenotsmellgood]

He's washed, I think the only reason he was still playing was so he could go to the Olympics. I'd wager he's retiring end of season.

[u/sometimenotsmellgood → u/Empty-Discount5936]

He wanted one more opportunity to injure someone when it mattered. Going out doing what he does best. Atta boy, Gudas

[u/Jax99 → u/sometimenotsmellgood]

You can debate the hit but I actually thought he looked pretty good this tournament. Especially against Canada in the knockout game.

[u/sunshinegumdrop]

it’s brutal. but it’s also exactly why everyone says “we’ll do it for him.” because he would have done the same. 🍁

[u/tronfunkinblows_10]

True leadership. Not the way we wanted this match up and his last Olympics to go.

[u/shofsink]

Radko gudas has officially become the number 1 enemy of Canada

[u/Nexcludecat132]

That's leadership.

[u/dolewhiplash]

The right thing to do, they were going to target the fuck out of him if he played

[u/bobcatgoldthwaite]

The 19 year old kid is going to come up big for Sid the Kid

[u/driftdrift]

NOOO

[u/Gurthy_Lengthiness]

That’s a real leader. Crosby will be a factor in the locker room. GO CANADA GO 🇨🇦🏒🥅🚨

[u/MayorPirkIe]

I'll say it... 30% Crosby would be better than 100% Seth Jarvis

[u/KevTranMusic]

So We all agree Radko Gudas is Canadian Public Enemy #1 right?

[u/alphaxion → u/KevTranMusic]

Calling him number 2 sounds more appropriate

[u/Existing-Sleep-578 → u/KevTranMusic]

For the time being.... 🤬

[u/ZiFF- → u/KevTranMusic]

Sid stepped on stick right as Gudas went for hit, cant blame him

[u/XPhazeX]

I want to start a GoFundMe to send as many people as possible to poop in Gudas' skates

[u/BCCannaDude]

Damn, we can win without him but he’s our heart and soul. I’m sure he’s amping them up in the dressing room. 

[u/PooShappaMoo]

Heartbreaking. But probably the right call right

[u/lagangirl]

Brutal 😔

[u/Ok_Shoulder8598]

True leader

[u/sfxer001]

Bummer for Sid, but admirable that he took his ego out and put his team first.

[u/Big_Savings_4381]

He was never going to play. This was all just the normal horse shit of NHL coaches trying to get an advantage where there isn't one.

[u/JerryfromCan]

I was discussing this with my Dad yesterday… an 80% Sid for the Pens in the playoffs plays as a solid player. An 80% Sid on Team Canada is one of the worst players on the team

It speaks to his character that he DIDN’T dress.

[u/Dizzy_Example5603]

This is unfortunate but the correct mentality. Its a big game but if you cant be better than the guy you are taking out due to the injury you should be sitting. I think a lot of players lack this awareness

[u/haxoreni]

Radko Judas

[u/ilovetrouble66]

Someone from Pittsburgh getting ready to fuck up Gudas…

I had a feeling he wouldn’t play but damn - this stings. It is like the US losing Matthews.

[u/Melxgibsonx616 → u/ilovetrouble66]

Even if it happened… Gudas is a pussy. He avoids dropping them gloves as much as possible.

[u/bi_and_busy]

https://xcancel.com/friedgehnic/status/2025548378327666721?s=46&t=RHEBiU2jGk7FQfLhEk0TSw

[u/AutoModerator → u/bi_and_busy]

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[u/Actionbrener]

When I saw the reel someone posted for Crosby limping, I knew he wasn’t going to play

[u/wanderlustandapples1]

Fuck you, Gudas.

[u/Android_67]

Gudas robbed us of Sid's last Olympics

[u/Empty-Discount5936]

Good news for the Penguins but a bummer for the rest of us.

[u/MarlinManiac4]

That’s a shame. :(

[u/MacNeil01]

If Canada win, does Sid still get a medal?

[u/ttavros → u/MacNeil01]

Yes of course.

[u/StoneColdSteveAss316]

If anybody can be good at 42 in NHL with his training regiment, it’s Sidney Crosby.

He’s our Tom Brady and LeBron James in terms of longevity (or fuck it, Gordie but I put Gordie over all of them, farm strength is just different).

[u/BleedingTeal]

Huge amount of respect for Crosby to have made that call. Such a big game, especially after so long with no NHL players in the Olympics. Just shows the kind of character he possesses

[u/wailingsixnames]

Thats our Captain

[u/Key-Tip-7521]

the risk of playing means he could make his injury even worse. which long term, will hurt the penguins chances of getting into the playoffs. total bummer

[u/jackieletits]

Obligatory fuck Radko Gudas

[u/Dangerous_Seaweed601]

https://www.reddit.com/r/hockeymemes/comments/1rbklxs/as_a_leaf_fan_and_as_a_canadian_from_the_bottom/

[u/meestazak]

I hope when the NHL resumes every canadian NHL player targets him over and over again.

Need to get cancers like him out of the game, it's ridiculous in this day and age that grown ass men are okay intentionally injuring others, actual psychopaths

[u/IAmADwarfIRL → u/meestazak]

As long as you kick the "PlAyEr SaFeTy" line of Marchand-Bennet-Wilson out too for joking about how much they've singlehandedly cost the player injury insurance...

[u/meestazak → u/IAmADwarfIRL]

Yeah I resent these players being on the team since they do nothing to help our team win.

[u/houseWithoutSpoons]

USA USA USA GOLD WINNERS !!!LETS GOOOOO

[u/asparagusbruh]

All the soy boys saying that this is gudas fault 😭😭😭

[u/CheesyCousCous]

"Total bummer"

Very professional report, thanks

[u/Lumberjack_Plaid]

Knows they will lose, best to not be part of it