Five NHL Teams That Need Captains

NHL Captains Needed to Lead and Guide Five Teams

NHL captains aren’t just an afterthought. With the Winnipeg Jets naming Blake Wheeler as their leader, there are still five NHL teams with no one to guide them.  Some seem to be closer than others in getting that important job completed.

The five teams that don’t currently have a captain named are Nashville, Edmonton, Carolina, Florida, and Toronto.  One of those teams didn’t have a captain last season and one of them may not have one this year.

Unlike most professional sports where the biggest thing a captain does is go out for the coin toss or get to hold a trophy first, NHL captains hold a very important position.

From the NHL Rule Book, “Section 2, Rule 6.1 Captain – One Captain shall be appointed by each team, and he alone shall have the privilege of discussing with the Referee any questions relating to interpretation of rules which may arise during the progress of a game.”

There is a full section there about what NHL captains can and cannot do in regards to talking to the referees.  Done incorrectly, he can receive a minor penalty or even a game misconduct.

It is a huge honor to wear the “C” on your sweater.  He is usually chosen by the coach or management but some teams have voted on a captain.  Some go without and have three alternate captains, one of whom is designated to talk to the referees.

A captain can be the face of the franchise; a leader both motivationally and as an example. They answer the tough questions with the media and can be a go-between among players and coaches.  It is not a position that is taken lightly by NHL players.

With all of that in mind, there are still five NHL teams without captains. There were seven before St. Louis named Alex Pietrangelo, replacing former captain David Backes just a few days ago. And as mentioned, yesterday Winnipeg named Blake Wheeler. Let’s take a look at where the rest stand.

Next: Will a Brother Step in?

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

Lots to Choose From for Nashville

When Shea Weber was sent to Montreal for P.K. Subban, the Nashville Predators lost their captain, definitely a face of their franchise.  Right away, there were questions about who would succeed him. 

Union and Blue

The three players that wore the “A” at different times last season were Mike Fisher, Roman Josi, and James Neal.  They are all likely candidates and Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, and P.K. Subban have all been named as possibilities.

They have big shoes to fill as Weber last season won the Mark Messier award for leadership.  There were some, however, that complained that he led by example and wasn’t vocal enough. Because of youth and time with the team, we are going to eliminate Forsberg, Johansen, and Subban.

That leaves Neal, Josi, and Fisher, all worthy candidates. Let’s look at them individually:

James Neal has proven to be a scorer and leader and is definitely emotional.  Perhaps a little too emotional at times.  He tends to take “pay-back” penalties and generally let his emotions get the best of him.  Maybe he might be a little too emotional to be the Captain.

Mike Fisher is quite possibly the best choice.  Hard working, great with the press, a real leader.  If he was two years younger and had a longer contract he would be perfect.  But he is 36, has one year left on his contract and this might be his final year in Predators Gold.  Do you want a one-year Captain on a young team with potential?

That leaves Roman Josi.  He has become one of the league’s best defensemen and may be even better with Subban on his flank.  He is only 26 and is signed for at least four more years.  And he hates to lose.  He is about the same age as Shea Weber was when he became Captain.  We think he’s the perfect fit for this young and upcoming team.

Some people like the idea of giving it to Fisher for one year then turning it over to Josi.  We say…why wait?

Next: The Youngest Captain Ever?

Is it too soon for the Edmonton Oilers?

The Edmonton Oilers were the team that didn’t have a captain last season.  After Andrew Ference gave up the “C” before last year, the team rotated alternates between Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Ference and Matt Hendricks.

It was thought that it might come down to two players this season, Taylor Hall and Connor McDavid. Then Hall was traded to New Jersey earlier in the offseason for Adam Larsson.  That was the trade that thankfully hidden by the Shea Weber – P.K. Subban blockbuster on the same day. 

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There is still a possibility that the “C” might go to Eberle or Nugent-Hopkins who have been around and done the alternate captain gig. But everything seems to be pointing to McDavid once again getting ahead of the curve and being named Captain.

If he is, he would supplant Landeskog as the youngest Captain ever, joining only him, Sidney Crosby and Vincent Lecavalier as players who became Captains in their teen years.

Personally, we think it’s too soon.  McDavid may end up being All-World but he’s only played 45 games at the NHL level and he sure doesn’t need the added pressure as a teenager trying to carry a team from the dregs of the NHL to a spot deep in the playoffs.

If it was our decision, we would give the “C” to Nugent-Hopkins for at least a couple of years and then possibly turn it over to the wunderkind.  Of course, as fast as Edmonton trades away their better players, there is no guarantee that he will be there that long.  Our bet is that Connor McDavid will have a big “C” on his sweater for the first game.

Next: Is Anyone Worthy?

Will The Toronto Maple Leafs Have a Captain This Season?

There are many folks that believe that part of the undoing of Dion Phaneuf in Toronto was having to take on the mantle of Captaincy.  It is a much bigger weight than most people know and especially in a place like Toronto where every little thing is analyzed under the microscope.

Maybe no one really wants to be the captain there this season. Let’s face it, they may be better this year but are still a long way off.  Back in April, coach Mike Babcock told Chris Johnston that he didn’t expect to have a Captain this season.

Maybe that is for the best. There are really only a few lukewarm candidates.  Matt Hunwick and Brooks Laich are long-time vets but are probably only here for another season.

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There has been some clamoring among the Leaf faithful to just go ahead and give it to #1 pick, Auston Matthews right now, he will surely get it eventually according to them.  Ask Edmonton about that, it doesn’t always work out the way you want it to.

Morgan Reilly is only 22, could be a very nice player and has that fire.  He may be the right person but once again do you want to put that weight on his shoulders in the Toronto fishbowl?

Our guess is that Babcock uses his ever-present will and goes without a captain this season, instead rotating alternate captains and seeing what happens.  In the end, that might be the best decision after all.

Next: Wheeler Named Jets Captain

It is a huge decision for an NHL club and can actually change the attitude of how a team plays.  There is no need to rush, but five teams need to decide what they are going to do in the next month and a half.