This season will bring new and improved variables to the game of NHL hockey. Some variables like new team jerseys, new rules and regulations, and most importantly, this season will bring new team leaders, captains, to the NHL.
These new captains have a great opportunity ahead of them. Some are young and some are older, regardless, these guys are the leaders of their respected teams and they will no doubt do well in their new captaincy.
These new captains include: Mark Giordano (Calgary Flames), Jamie Benn (Dallas Stars), Bryce Salvador (New Jersey Devils), John Tavares (New York Islanders), and Jason Spezza (Ottawa Senators).
Mark Giordano
The Calgary Flames were faced with a gaping hole when they traded veteran forward and Flames’ captain, Jerome Iginla. The main issue was replacing Iginla’s talent, which is still a huge work in progress, however another huge issue was replacing the leadership of the team. Mark Giordano was the obvious choice. The Flame’s are going to be rebuilding for a while and what better way to lead their youth than with the veteran leadership Giordano brings to the Flames lineup.
Jamie Benn
Jamie Benn has been a rising star for the Dallas Stars’ organization. This 24 year-old forward has brought a tremendous amount of talent to the club and in turn he has been given the “C†and for all the right reasons. Benn, a 129th overall draft pick, is the sixth captain in Stars’ history. Jamie Benn was named captain due to previous captain Brendan Morrow’s departure from the Stars. Jamie will lead the Stars for years to come with his youthful yet experienced talent. I, personally, cannot wait to see Jamie wear the “C.†No one deserves it more than him. Watch for this new captain to lead his team to victory this season.
Bryce Salvador
The Devils have some rebuilding to do, that’s for sure. This summer the Devils’ now former captain Ilya Kovalchuk signed a contract with the KHL to play overseas and hang up his skates for good with the NHL. This left a gaping hole in the Devils’ lineup similar to Calgary’s. Like Calgary, the Devils’ are also looking to their forwards to really increase their offense to make up for the lost Kovalchuck. As far as leadership goes, the Devils’ organization has turned to defenseman Bryce Salvador. Salvador is the 10th captain in the franchise’s history and is also the third black captain in NHL history among Dirk Graham and Jerome Iginla. The 37 year-old will lead the Devils this year to the hopes of another Stanley Cup appearance.
John Tavares
John Tavares is the new captain of the New York Islanders and what a captain he will be! Tavares has been a phenomenal player for the Islanders’ organization. The 23 year-old Canadian will take over a young and talented Islanders team that is on the rise. John will replace the previous captain Mark Streit whom signed with the Flyers. Tavares is an excellent choice to wear the “C.†He was nominated to win the Hart Memorial Trophy last season after putting up exceptional offensive numbers and has also had similar success in his previous seasons. He is the 14th captain in Islanders history and will lead his team to, hopefully, another playoff appearance this season. I cannot wait to watch Johnny and the rest of the squad tear up and down the ice!
Jason Spezza
Like Calgary and New Jersey, the Ottawa Senators also lost their captain this offseason. Former Captain Daniel Alfredsson has joined the Detroit Red Wings leaving the captain role empty for the Sens. However, Jason Spezza, the 30 year-old star forward, was chosen to be the Senators’ eighth captain. Spezza was an obvious choice in my mind. He is an exceptional player registering around 20-30 goals per season, given the exception of his 5 goals last season after being injured for the majority of the season. Spezza will be bouncing back this season with the “C†on his chest and a talented team to lead. He will serve as a great leader for the Sens, and although it will take some time to fill the Daniel “Alfie†Alfredsson role as captain, Spezza will sure be on his way to do so.
Some Teams still need their Captain role filled and may do so before the season starts in a few weeks. Those Teams are the: Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Stay tuned to hear about any new developments!
Frank Markasovic
Sports Editor