Who Will Be The Next Captain Of The Ottawa Senators?
Apr 10, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza (19) skates with the with the puck in the second period against the New Jersey Devils at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Assume for a second that Jason Spezza‘s trade request is granted and the current Ottawa Senators captain becomes the second one in a matter of a year to leave town.
Even if Bryan Murray doesn’t find a deal he likes and Spezza comes back, can he really still sport the “C” on his jersey? I wouldn’t think so, especially given the fact that one of the reasons Spezza is asking out of town is the pressure he feels and the fact that he is the primary scapegoat when the team loses.
That being said, the Senators will be looking for their third captain in 3 years. Assuming Mark Messier isn’t coming out of retirement to lead the team and Jonathan Toews won’t be on the Senators, who should be named the next captain? Here are the possibilities:
Marc 16, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Chris Phillips (4) during warmup prior to game against Colorado Avalanche at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Phillips – The longest-serving Senator wore an “A” last season and was part of the leadership group. He might have been named captain instead of Spezza had he not been in the final year of his contract. Now armed with a 2 year deal, is he the man to take on the role?
Apr 13, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; NHL linesman Michel Cormier (76) talks to Ottawa Senators right wing Chris Neil (25) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Senators won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Neil – The other alternate last season and the second longest-tenured Senator. He provides the lead by example character and seems to be well liked, but I am not sure the player is fit for the role of an NHL captain.
Mar 4, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot (3) skates against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Marc Methot – About to enter his third season in Ottawa, Methot seems to have the attitude and demeanor to wear the “C”, but he is also entering the final year of his contract. Although he seems to have found a reltively permanent home in Ottawa, until an extension is signed you might not take it for granted.
Apr 13, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) on the ice before playing the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Erik Karlsson – Undoubtedly the most talented player on the roster, is he also ready for the burden of being the face of the franchise on and off the ice. He has moments where he seems uncomfortable in the media spotlight, and it might still be time to ease him into the leadership role, at least when it comes to wearing a letter on his uniform.
Apr 12, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators Pcenter Kyle Turris (7) wins the faceoff in the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Turris – Turris was an alternate on Team Canada at the World Championships, but he might have enough on his plate being the undisputed #1 centre on a rebuilding team and not have the burden of also replacing the most skilled forward on the team as the captain as well.
Apr 13, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators center Kyle Turris (left) and left wing Clarke MacArthur (16) and defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) stand for the national anthem before playing the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Senators won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Five options, all with pros and cons to taking over the leadership role. The captaincy of the Senators was held stable so long by Daniel Alfredsson and has since become a revolving door that it is a shame. The Senators cannot make a mistake this time around.
If they have to name an individual, I would go with Karlsson. He has the long term contract in place and wants to assume the role. It might even make him play a more rounded game, but that should not be the reason the Senators do it.
The best option might be to go with 3 Alternates (Phillips, Neil and Karlsson) and give Karlsson a year in that role and them promote him to captain next summer, if he handles that role well.
The bottom line is, the club needs leadership from more than just 3 or 4 guys, it takes the whole team focused on a goal for it to work. They are going to be less talented without Spezza, and it is going to come down to teamwork and goaltending if the Senators are going to make the playoffs.