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.