Sidney Crosby asked to play for Team Canada at World Championship, but turns down offer

Ken Campbell
2010-05-13 12:36:00

Fresh off his elimination from the NHL playoffs, Sidney Crosby was approached by Hockey Canada to play for his country in the World Championship, but he turned down the offer, THN.com has learned.

"It's been a long two years," said Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, "It wouldn't make sense for him to go."

Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson confirmed the Pittsburgh Penguins superstar was the first choice to replace the injured Ryan Smyth on the Canadian roster.

“We respect where he has been,” Nicholson said before Brisson confirmed Crosby wouldn't make the trip. “It would be extra special to have him, but we’re not counting on him. It has been a long year for him.”

Meanwhile, Steven Stamkos is still listed as day-to-day with a possible concussion after being injured in Canada’s 4-1 loss to Switzerland Wednesday and Nicholson said Stamkos will definitely be out of the lineup Friday when Canada plays its first playoff game.

Jordan Eberle is practicing with the Canadian team and could be added to the roster, but there is still room for one more player. It’s doubtful, given that he had his foot badly severed in Game 1 of the Montreal series, that Jordan Staal would be available, which would leave Max Talbot, Pascal Dupuis or Tyler Kennedy as possibilities off the Penguins roster.