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NHL Season Preview: 7 Teams That Need a Captain

By Ryan Ritchie |
Mar 22, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) looks on during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) looks on during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Season Preview: Who Will Wear the “C” on Their Jersey Next? 7 Teams Looking for a Captain

Next in our NHL season preview is the topic of captaincy. Seven teams are looking to hand the “C” to a new player.

Around this time last year, five teams were looking for a new captain. Four of them named one, while Edmonton decided to move forward with four alternates. Among those named last year were Nick Foligno (CLB), Max Pacioretty (MTL), Andy Greene (NJ), and Joe Pavelski (SJ).

We did see another shift in leadership as Los Angeles demoted Dustin Brown, promoting Anze Kopitar as Kings captain earlier this summer.

Among the teams in need of a captain for 2016-17: Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, St.Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets

via Sportsnet,Of the seven NHL teams with vacant C’s this summer, four failed to the make the 2016 playoffs. Three traded away their 2015-16 captain, and two lost their leader to unrestricted free agency.

NHL Season Preview: Nominees to Wear the “C”

Carolina Hurricanes

Mar 26, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defensemen Justin Faulk (27) skates with the puck against the New York Islanders at PNC Arena. The New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in the overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defensemen Justin Faulk (27) skates with the puck against the New York Islanders at PNC Arena. The New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in the overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

2015-16 Captain: Eric Staal
Length of Captaincy: 6 Years

Nominees: Justin Faulk, Jordan Staal, Jeff Skinner

With the Eric Staal era officially over in Carolina, the Canes must look to find their next leader.

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Many in the hockey world seem to favor younger brother Jordan Staal, but who knows how long GM Ron Francis intends to keep him.

Skinner is an intriguing option after managing to shake that injury prone tag that plagued him early in his career.

The most logical choice would have to be a young defender though, and Justin Faulk stands out among the rest, and wore the “A” in 2015-16.

Related Story: Hurricanes Still Destined for NHL's Basement

Edmonton Oilers

Mar 28, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) carries the puck around Anaheim Ducks defensemen Hampus Lindholm (47) during the third periodat Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) carries the puck around Anaheim Ducks defensemen Hampus Lindholm (47) during the third periodat Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /

2015-16 Captain: N/A
Length of Captaincy: N/A

Nominees: Connor McDavid

Edmonton chose to go with four alternates in 2015-16 after veteran Andrew Ference served as captain the previous two seasons.

We could add other nominees aside from McDavid, but why bother? The phenom rookie exceeded the point-per-game pace in 2015-16 after missing time due to injury. Destined to be one of the NHL’s biggest superstars, this is a no-brainer.

Related Story: 25 Breakout Performance Candidates in 2016-17

Florida Panthers

Apr 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) shoots the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Florida defeated Toronto 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) shoots the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Florida defeated Toronto 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2015-16 Captain: Willie Mitchell
Length of Captaincy: 2 Years

Nominees: Aaron Ekblad, Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau

Sportsnet’s Luke Fox could not have said it better, “Let’s be clear: This should still be Willie Mitchell’s team. Relentless on the ice, fearless and fun in the room, the 2015-16 captain was perfectly suited to the role. But a seventh concussion may have ended the veteran defenceman’s career.”

A lot of moving parts this summer makes this one of the more interesting captaincy scenarios.

None of the three nominees above wore a letter on their jersey in 2015-16, but it’s clear the leadership group is squarely on these guys shoulders. If you had to pick one, Aaron Ekblad seems to be the logical choice. The former 1st overall pick had great character coming from OHL Barrie where he wore the “C” and let’s face it, Ekblad has Norris Trophy potential written all over him.

Related Story: Huberdeau, Barkov Key to Panthers Success

Nashville Predators

May 9, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) against the San Jose Sharks in game six of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) against the San Jose Sharks in game six of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

2015-16 Captain: Shea Weber
Length of Captaincy: 6 Years

Nominees: Roman Josi, Mike Fisher, Ryan Ellis, Filip Forsberg

It won’t be easy replacing Shea Weber, but the Preds seem to have a close-knit dressing room that depends more on the group as a whole anyways.

The most popular choices seem to be Roman Josi or Mike Fisher since both wore the “A” in 2015-16. One might wonder if Fisher’s age (36) prevents his promotion.

Josi, Ellis, and Forsberg promise to be core pieces for many years to come and should be top candidates.

Related Story: Bobby Orr: Greatest Player of All-Time

St.Louis Blues

May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) skates with the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the third period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won the game 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) skates with the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the third period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won the game 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

2015-16 Captain: David Backes
Length of Captaincy: 5 Years

Nominees: Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Pietrangelo, Alex Steen

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While we’ve included Tarasenko’s name as a nominee, it seems unlikely the Russian sniper dawns the captaincy.

Both Pietrangelo and Steen served as alternates under Backes, and both are much better equipped to lead this team. Sportsnet’s Luke Fox gives the slight edge to 32-year-old Alex Steen, but we think 26-year-old Alex Pietrangelo makes for the most logical choice.

When you have two players with similar leadership qualities, the edge should go to the player with the brighter, longer future.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Mar 31, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) skates with the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period at First Niagara Center. The Sabres won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) skates with the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period at First Niagara Center. The Sabres won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

2015-16 Captain: Dion Phaneuf
Length of Captaincy: 6 Years

Nominees: Morgan Rielly, Auston Matthews, Brooks Laich

Toronto is an intriguing scenario. If the organization wants to buy time to see how young players develop in the dressing room (i.e. Auston Matthews), they could take the veteran route naming Brooks Laich.

The most logical choice might be 22-year-old defenseman Morgan Rielly. Blossoming into a true number one on the blue line, Rielly promises to be a core piece for the Maple Leafs as they look to get back to their glory days.

Next: 5 UFA's That Deserve a Contract

Winnipeg Jets

Mar 16, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Winnipeg Jets right wing Blake Wheeler (26) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Winnipeg Jets right wing Blake Wheeler (26) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

2015-16 Captain: Andrew Ladd
Length of Captaincy: 6 Years (one in Atlanta)

Nominees: Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Bryan Little

Let’s be clear, Scheifele and Little are only included as nominees because they fit the mold of a captain. This one is almost as clear-cut as Edmonton naming Connor McDavid though since Blake Wheeler is the indisputable next biggest leader in the dressing room/on the ice.

Wheeler, 29, has worn the “A” the past two seasons, and is coming off a career best 78 points in 2015-16. Make no mistake, this former 5th overall pick of the Arizona Coyotes (back in 2004) will be the next captain in Winnipeg.

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