Seattle Kraken Should Not Name A New Captain, Yet
Having no Captain is a Legitimate Option
In recent years, we’ve seen several rebuilding teams opt out of naming a new captain after losing their previous one. The Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers are two teams that didn’t choose a captain for an extended period. Instead of naming a captain, they appointed a larger group of alternate captains.
This allowed their players to grow together as a leadership core and take the pressure off of just one person. It also allowed the respective coaching staff and front office people to observe players for a longer period of time. Detroit is a good example.
After Henrik Zetterberg retired, Detroit GM Steve Yzerman decided not to name a captain. Dylan Larkin and Justin Abdelkader served as their two full-time alternate captains, while Frans Nielsen and Luke Glendening split the duties for home and away games.
Red Wings name Frans Nielsen & Dylan Larkin as alternate captains, will rotate duties. Nielsen on road, Larkin at home. They join Niklas Kronwall & Justin Abdelkader in wearing an ‘A.’
No captain for time being.— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) October 3, 2018
In a hockey-mad city like Detroit, there is a big legacy to uphold. Remember, it’s a job that was held by all-time greats like Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Yzerman.
After proving himself to the organization, Larkin got the “C” on his sweater. Being given a small role gave him the motivation to step up his leadership. However, he still had the chance to grow into the role slowly and focus on the further development of his game as he entered the prime of his career.
Did this logic stand up to the test? That is your judgment call to make. Nevertheless, the same argument can be used for the Seattle Kraken.
If the Seattle Kraken named a new captain for the upcoming NHL season. Who should it be? #SeaKraken
— Kraken Canada (@KrakenCanada) September 11, 2022