With the departure of Steven Stamkos, the Tampa Bay Lightning should identify a brand new captain for the primary time in over a decade. For reference, the final time was throughout head coach Jon Cooper’s first full season as the top coach.
The Lightning should first resolve who will put on the “C” which in flip decides those that doubtlessly put on the “A” as nicely. Let’s have a look at potential choices based mostly on who’s on the roster.
The Subsequent Captain
Within the minds of many, the following captain of the Lightning is fairly clear. That man is defenseman Victor Hedman. He has been with the group since he was drafted in 2009 and is nicely on his solution to the Hockey Corridor of Fame.
Hedman agreed to a four-year extension in early July – doubtless securing that he’ll end his profession with the group. He has additionally been an alternate captain for six seasons. When you concentrate on it, it’s a little bit shocking it took till 2018-19 for him to obtain the title but it surely may look that far more in hindsight. Former Lightning gamers akin to Ryan Callahan and Anton Stralman have been considered because the leaders of the group on the time; ultimately, Hedman bought his flip.
This choice wouldn’t simply be based mostly on seniority and management. Hedman is likely one of the finest defensemen within the league even at 33 years outdated. He simply completed sixth within the Norris voting for final season. Even when not a finalist, it says rather a lot a couple of participant to nonetheless end that top within the voting.
Associated: Lightning: Victor Hedman Expectations for 2024-25
His 76 factors in 2023-24 is the second-best of his profession and higher than the 12 months he received the Norris Trophy. He has lots left within the tank to guide within the clubhouse and on the ice.
Simply to throw in an alternative choice, let’s focus on Nikita Kucherov. He’s among the best gamers within the NHL profitable the Artwork Ross Trophy final season and was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy. He’s additionally the fifth participant to ever tally 100 assists in a season. There may be completely a case for him to put on the “C.”
Nevertheless, simply since you’re arguably the perfect participant in your group doesn’t imply you’re going to be the captain.
Alternate Captains
Now, sticking with Kucherov for a second. He’s been an alternate captain for 2 seasons now, he’s going to proceed to be an alternate captain. That checks off one. After that’s the dialogue.
Another choice is a former Lightning alternate captain who was not too long ago re-acquired, defenseman Ryan McDonagh. He was an alternate captain for 3 seasons of his Lightning tenure. It wouldn’t be that shocking if he wore the “A” once more.
Brayden Level may get his probability to get a letter stitched onto his jersey for the primary time in his profession. He’s coming into his ninth season within the NHL and with the Lightning. The ahead is a high-performing veteran who has proven he can present up within the clutch. Level was one of many high scorers in each of the Lightning’s runs to the Stanley Cup and led the NHL final season with 12 game-winning objectives. The flexibility to step up when it issues makes him a high quality candidate for a management function. He is aware of learn how to set an instance.
There’s additionally an opportunity that every one three names on this listing get to put on the “A.” In principle, it’s two alternate captains or three with no captain, however a number of groups have greater than two with a captain. The New York Rangers, for instance, had 5 alternate captains final season.
Even the Lightning have had as much as 4 alternate captains earlier than. In 2021-22, it was McDonagh, Hedman, Alex Killorn and Corey Perry.
We’ll have to attend and learn how they go about it. What we do know is the alternatives for the following management group will probably be an indicator of who the Lightning wish to lead the group into the brand new period.
