NHL Captains for 2018-19

[IPv6Freely 2092]

Some congratulations are in order!

• Justin Williams is the new captain of the Hurricanes
• Oliver Ekman-Larsson is the new captain of the Coyotes
• Barkov is the new captain of the Panthers

Also interesting are the number of teams with no captain (almost a third of the league, 4 of the 6 Canadian teams, and 4 of the Original Six):

• Detroit Red Wings
• Montreal Canadiens
• NY Islanders
• NY Rangers
• Ottawa Senators
• Vancouver Canucks
• Buffalo Sabres
• Vegas Golden Knights
• Toronto Maple Leafs

Curious to hear people's thoughts on who could be named for each of those teams, if anyone. 

For Vegas, I think it makes sense to give A's to Marchessault, Smith and Pacioretty to start the season, and see how it goes. I don't know much about Detroit, or either NY team. I could see them handing it to Barzal at some point but otherwise no clue for any of them. MTL and OTT are both hitting rock bottom so it makes sense for both of them to wait. Boeser or Horvat in Vancouver. No clue in Buffalo. Dahlin comes to mind obviously but obviously not at this point.

Toronto is going with Marleau, Tavares and Rielly with A's, which makes a lot of sense at this point. I think it would be cool for Matthews to step on the ice with a C for the first playoff game. Post-warmup. Without it being leaked ahead of time. Unlikely, but would be really cool to see the reaction.

[Jamarquan 201]

If I had to guess about my Islanders, Lee, Bailey, and Boychuk would be very worthy guys to get an "A", considering that Lee is a great leadership type guy, Bailey loves the Island and has been here through thick and thin, and Boychuk has a Cup to his name and is a real 'grit guy'. Barzal feels like a long shot for this season, and any of the fourth liners (Martin, Clutterbuck, and Cizikas) would make sense too.

[IPv6Freely 2092]

Habs name Shea Weber captain

https://www.tsn.ca/canadiens-name-d-weber-captain-1.1183957 

This is a bit odd to me. On one hand having an older guy leading the way with the kids during the rebuild actually seems like a decent idea. On the other hand, I'm not a fan of stopgap captains and almost think they should wait. I guess the team values the leadership above all else. 

[IPv6Freely 2092]

Cross Buffalo off the list. Eichel named captain. 

https://www.tsn.ca/sabres-name-eichel-captain-1.1185304 

[IPv6Freely 2092]

Anders Lee named captain of the Islanders

https://www.tsn.ca/islanders-name-lee-team-captain-1.1185963

[chk hrd 164]

The Red Wings will eventually give it to Larkin. It might not be this year but in the near future.

[RadioGaGa 162]

On 10/1/2018 at 11:35 AM, IPv6Freely said:

Habs name Shea Weber captain

https://www.tsn.ca/canadiens-name-d-weber-captain-1.1183957 

This is a bit odd to me. On one hand having an older guy leading the way with the kids during the rebuild actually seems like a decent idea. On the other hand, I'm not a fan of stopgap captains and almost think they should wait. I guess the team values the leadership above all else. 

I thought they might give it to Plekanec for this year. He is only on a 1 year deal, so it's not like they would have to take it away from him when Shea is healthy (I think we all know he is the guy they want to have it). Pleky ended up scratched for G1...so what do I know! haha

Weber is still going to be in the room and around the team...so he will be able to lead. 

In Buffalo, Eichel only has it because it is too soon to give it to Dahlin, but he (Dahlin) will be the leader of that team eventually, and might be their best player by the end of Week 2 of the season.