The Latest on Sidney Crosby's Status for Friday's Semifinal

Once Captain Canada, Sidney Crosby, went down in the Olympics quarterfinal win over Czechia, everyone and his dog has become a video/internet doctor with their 'expert' analysis on Sid's condition.

While nobody from Team Canada has revealed anything official just yet, as of Thursday evening, the latest report comes to us from a former NHLer with his ear to the ground. Jordan Schmaltz tells us Crosby will indeed try to skate Friday morning, hours before the big semifinal match against Finland, and they'll just go from there.

🚨BREAKING: #Sources Sounds like Sidney Crosby will indeed skate tomorrow morning. No decision has been made yet whether the 38 year old from Cole Harbour, NS will indeed be ready for the semifinal vs Finland despite what Twitter doctors who give out diagnostics via the internet…
— Jordan Schmaltz (@J_Swish24) February 19, 2026

This jibes with insider reports just a few hours earlier, including word from head coach Jon Cooper that Crosby is "by no means ruled out of the tournament."

Jon Cooper emphatic Team Canada hasn’t ruled out Sidney Crosby. Says it’s a day to day situation.
If Crosby doesn’t play Friday, Team Canada has to put a ‘C’ on another player. Cooper wouldn’t go there with us, because he’s not ready to rule Crosby out yet.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 19, 2026

Sounds like Crosby may go for a quick skate tomorrow morning to see where things are at but is unlikely to play against Finland. If he can’t Suzuki likely to slide into his spot as he did in the 1/4 finals.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) February 19, 2026

Ryan Rishaug also reported that Crosby is expected to skate in the morning, and if he can't suit up for the game, Nick Suzuki is likely to take his spot at center between Mitch Marner and Mark Stone. Suzuki looked much more comfortable once he shifted over to his natural position at center in the quarterfinal after Crosby went down.

Crosby has six points in four games for Canada to this point, with a +3 rating, and his loss would leave a huge void, needless to say. He's the only two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner on the squad, and his leadership is irreplaceable.