Who will be the next Canadian captain?
Who will choose the next captain of the Habs, the players or the organization decision makers?
The captain’s role is to be the bridge between the players and management. In the past, players had to decide who represented them to the owner and management. Over the years, this tradition has disappeared and has been completely removed from the organization’s administrative structure.
Shea Weber, the team’s last captain, was chosen by Marc Bergevin and his closest guard.
Did those in charge want absolute control of the dressing room? If the captain is to play a very important role in the relationship between employees and employers, shouldn’t the players themselves choose their representative in this regard?
Suzuki, Edmundson or Gallagher?
Who are the players best suited for the captain profile of a franchise operating in a unique market like Montreal?
Nick Suzuki? He represents the youth and the future of the organization.
Joel Edmundson? He’s a good veteran who is respected by all his teammates.
Brendan Gallagher? For the years of service, for his intensity, for what he’s accomplished over the years?
Nick Suzuki presents the leadership profile coveted by organizational decision makers. What Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes have repeated dozens of times since arriving at the Bell Center fits the young man’s personality perfectly.
We want to bring a new culture to the organization, Suzuki ticks all the boxes. There is a lot of emphasis on young skaters, their development, their fighting spirit and their sense of belonging. Suzuki is Canada’s most sought-after forward, his progress has been impressive, he competes at a high level and has only been a member of the organization for eight years.
Will the role of captain put even more pressure on Suzuki, who will play the first year of a lucrative contract?
Maybe.
Like Clarke and Yzerman
In this respect, players like Bobby Clarke and Steve Yzerman have never been bored in the role of captain after two or three seasons in the league, on the contrary.
Not so long ago, the Detroit Red Wings didn’t hesitate to entrust this role to Dylan Larkin. Isn’t Nico Hischier the captain of the New Jersey Devils? Brady Tkachuk is the captain of the Ottawa Senators.
When talent has no age, good leaders always find a way to stand out in adversity.
I’m looking forward to
Will David Pastrnak go into next season without getting what he craves from the Boston Bruins?
A contract that allows him to receive $9.5 million, a pact similar to that of Charlie McAvoy.
For many years, the Bruins were able to compete at the same level as Eastern teams because their top three forwards were bargains in today’s environment. Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Pastrnak represented the most productive offensive line relative to the salaries paid. All three players had contracts under $7 million per season.
That era is over.
Bruins decision makers have an important decision to make in the coming days. Pastrnak is a born goalscorer, a player who can score goals at strategic moments. But as leaders, do we think Pastrnak won’t be as prolific when Bergeron retires? – and in the case of the middle player, it could be next year.
Before awarding a contract for seven or eight years, decision makers wonder if the player will always be a skater who can make the difference in the last four years of the agreement.
Only the Bruins can’t do without Pastrnak…
recruits at work
Brilliant idea to create tournaments that allow NHL team decision makers to get an even more accurate assessment of the organization’s best prospects.
The Canadians’ young players will be in Buffalo this week to take part in a tournament involving five other teams from the circuit.
An opportunity for Jeff Gorton, Kent Hughes and Martin St-Louis, players like Juraj Slafkovsky, Filip Mesar, Joshua Roy, Emil Heineman, Justin Barron, Jordan Harris, Kaiden Guhle…
Lundkvist: Interest
Nils Lundkvist is a defender who wants to leave New York Rangers and if we don’t find a solution he will stay in Europe.
But there’s always a chance that Rangers and Chris Drury, the general manager, will accommodate him.
We still have to find a buyer.
In recent weeks, rumors have been circulating that the Canadians are keeping a close eye on the defender’s record. Jeff Gorton knows him very well and Kent Hughes would have shown interest.
But the Canadian is no longer the only one asking questions. The San Jose Sharks have told Rangers they are open to talks.
Remember, the Sharks’ coach is David Quinn, the former Rangers pilot…
