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Who is the next captain?

By Jacob Larivière

OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 9: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators looks on in a game against the Calgary Flames at Canadian Tire Centre on March 9, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 9: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators looks on in a game against the Calgary Flames at Canadian Tire Centre on March 9, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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As the rebuild is moving along, it’s time to have that conversation. Who will be the Ottawa Senator’s next captain? In this piece, I take a look at 2 different options for this honour.

Brady Tkachuk

COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 24: Brady Tkachuk #7 of the Ottawa Senators controls the puck during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 24, 2020, atNationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated Ottawa 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 24: Brady Tkachuk #7 of the Ottawa Senators controls the puck during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 24, 2020, atNationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated Ottawa 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Brady Tkachuk seems to be the obvious choice for captaincy as of late, and rightfully so. Brady’s first mentor with the sens, Mark Stone, was poised to be the next captain, but while he has been traded, it makes sense to shift the focus to his prodige. Tkachuk has been the face of the Ottawa Senators since his arrival to the team, and it makes sense to make the face of the franchise captain. The pesky forward has grown into his own and continues to improve his game night in and night out. It also helps that he already wears the “A” for the team.

Thomas Chabot

OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 9: Teammates Thomas Chabot #72 and Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators chat during a stoppage in play in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Canadian Tire Centre on January 9, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 9: Teammates Thomas Chabot #72 and Erik Karlsson #65 of the Ottawa Senators chat during a stoppage in play in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Canadian Tire Centre on January 9, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /

Thomas Chabot has been heavily regarded as Erik Karlsson‘s replacement since being traded to the San Jose Sharks, and so far, he has lived up to expectations. In my opinion, Chabot is the best player on the team and will shape into one of the top 5 defensemen in the NHL in a few years’ time. Chabot is my choice for captain, as he is the longest tenure player that is part of the core, and has really become the face of the franchise alongside the aforementioned Brady Tkachuk. Chabot plays a puck-moving game but is doing his best to improve the defensive side of his game.

Who is the next captain?

If it were my choice, I’d name Chabot the captain, let him lead by example. However, realistically speaking, I’m pretty sure it’s Brady’s spot to lose. Either way, you can’t go wrong with Thomas Chabot or Brady Tkachuk as captain of the Ottawa Senators.

As always, you can find me on Twitter @JacobLarivire

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