Jon Cooper on Sidney Crosby: 'He'll go down as Canada's greatest player ever'

Team Canada and Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper feels Sidney Crosby is the best hockey player to ever put on the Canadian jersey.

Canada defeated Sweden 4-3 in overtime, in large part due to Crosby's heroics, as the Penguins' legend finished the game with three primary assists, including on Mitch Marner's electric overtime winner. Cooper spoke postgame and gave Crosby all the love he deserves. "(Crosby) will go down as the greatest player to ever wear the Canadian jersey," national team coach Jon Cooper said postgame, per Sportsnet's Eric Engels.

Sidney Crosby = wins

It's a simple formula for Team Canada. 🇨🇦#4Nations pic.twitter.com/XGG4hDjxM0
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) February 12, 2025

"Insane," Marner said of Crosby's performance. "It's crazy, just watching him, being on his team, just seeing the work ethic, everything he does. Its insane, that Stone goal, what he did on that play was insane. That's why he's a top player in the world. You tell 10-year-old Mitch that he scored an overtime goal assisted by Sidney Crosby, the guy he's looked up to since Day 1, yeah, it's pretty crazy. I'm sure my family's going to be very excited about that one."

Canada takes on USA on Saturday night, in what is setting up to be the most anticipated hockey game in the last decade.

The no look backhand pass from Sidney Crosby to Nathan MacKinnon was ridiculous. The Cole Habour connection. 🇨🇦 #4Nations pic.twitter.com/qqNSB1Cq2h
— Grady Sas (@GradySas) February 13, 2025

Less than 12 hours ago, Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon were on the podium together at Bell Centre finishing up interviews. This morning they're the first two Canadian players on the ice for an optional skate in the suburbs of Montreal.

Absolute animals. pic.twitter.com/IEUVzAGkrO
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 13, 2025