Puck Prose
Fansided

Five NHL Teams That Need Captains

By Doug Praskach

Jan 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Dion Phaneuf (3) chases a puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Dion Phaneuf (3) chases a puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
NHL Captains
Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal (12) checks his stick during the pre game warm up. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Carolina Has it Narrowed Down

At last year’s trade deadline, captain Eric Staal was traded to the New York Rangers. Following the trade, Justin Faulk, Jordan Staal, and Ron Hainsey served as alternate captains for the Hurricanes.

Justin Faulk, although he is only 24-years old has been seen as the captain-in-waiting for the past couple of years as he has assumed a leadership role.  He would probably be the outright favorite if he didn’t get injured after the Staal trade.

During that injury, Jordan Staal, Eric’s little brother stepped in and did an admirable job as the team’s leader even though he wore the “A” and not the “C”.   He is 27-years old, has been an alternate captain for eight years and is signed for seven more seasons.

It should come down to the two of them.  It might be a coin flip at this juncture as to who will prevail.  There is also another thought to keep in mind, though.  At his end of the season presser, GM Ron Francis had this to say:

"“We’ll sit down as a staff and talk about it, but I’m comfortable heading into next season, if we don’t feel we have the right person for the long haul, leaving that position open and going with [alternates],” Francis told reporters."

Could he go the way of a couple of past teams and just use alternates all season?  In our opinion, it is going to end up being Justin Faulk.

Next: Youth Vs. Experience

Home/Editorials