Captain?

[DumbPuck]

I'm sure, if it gets to it, the team would choose at the moment. And my guess is that it would come down to Vanek or Miller. Vanek's attitude has changed - he smiles now, and gets pumped up at the end of games. It looks like the team responds to him differently. I dunno.

 

I would agree that if Gerbe continues down the path he's recently been traveling, then a "C" is in his future for sure. It was he, after all, who buried the piece of puck at center ice.

 

But this team's captain is clearly Vanek. I think Miller is probably socially too awkward to be anything but a de facto leader - he is a goalie after all.

 

I'm going to seem really silly to a lot of people here but have there been many, if any, goalies as captains? I've just never seen a goalie with a "C". I do think Miller is a bit too focused on his own game to be a captain though. I think that's where a goaltenders mind should be though.

 

Also, does the NHL require that teams have captains? Or could the Sabres just go with three "A"s until Ruff finds "the one" ?

[Thedefeated]

I'm going to seem really silly to a lot of people here but have there been many, if any, goalies as captains? I've just never seen a goalie with a "C". I do think Miller is a bit too focused on his own game to be a captain though. I think that's where a goaltenders mind should be though.

 

Also, does the NHL require that teams have captains? Or could the Sabres just go with three "A"s until Ruff finds "the one" ?

 

* John Ross Roach (Toronto St. Patricks): 1924–25 season

* George Hainsworth (Montreal Canadiens): 1932–33 season

* Roy Worters (New York Americans): 1932–33 season

* Alex Connell (Ottawa Senators): 1932–33 season

* Charlie Gardiner (Chicago Black Hawks): 1933–34 season

* Bill Durnan (Montreal Canadiens): latter half of 1947–48 season

 

Although the Canucks appointed Roberto Luongo as its team captain for the 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons, since he could not be his team's official on-ice captain, Willie Mitchell acted as the official on-ice captain, serving as liaison to the officials, and Henrik Sedin performed ceremonial aspects of the position such as pre-game faceoffs.

 

As per wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_%28ice_hockey%29

[DumbPuck]

Thedefeated, nice reply. I learned something new :-D. For those who don't want to click the link and might be as naive as me:

 

Wikipedia: Captain (Ice hockey)

 

"The rules of the IIHF, NHL and Hockey Canada do not permit goaltenders to be designated as captains,[1][2] because of the logistical challenge of having the goaltender relay rules discussions between referees and coaches and then return to the crease. In the NCAA, there is no position-based restriction on the team captain."

[JoDo]

Pin the C on someone... Do it now.

 

Why? Captains are important as leaders in the locker room and to act a mediator between coach and team. Don't you think there is someone in place doing that? Pin the "C" next year.

[neverenough]

I like gerbe like everyone else but dont kid yourself,give the C to Vanek now!People are over thinking this whole C thing.Vanek is the best player on the sabres so what the hell are you waiting for lindy? :wallbash:

[neverenough]

Its a shame Vanek doesnt wear the C,it really is :thumbdown:

[LabattBlue]

I like gerbe like everyone else but dont kid yourself,give the C to Vanek now!People are over thinking this whole C thing.Vanek is the best player on the sabres so what the hell are you waiting for lindy? :wallbash:

What does being the best player on the team have to do with being named captain? Was Rivet the best player on the team? He wasn't even the best defenseman? How about when Lindy Ruff was captain? Best player on the team?

[kishoph]

Stop the foolishness and give it to VANEK already, I don't know why LINDY has to play this stupid game of not having a Captain. :wallbash:

[wjag]

Why? Captains are important as leaders in the locker room and to act a mediator between coach and team. Don't you think there is someone in place doing that? Pin the "C" next year.

Just my opinion but it's time for this team to grow up. Be not afraid. Good things are coming.

[Eleven]

For the second time in a week...have the team vote.

[LabattBlue]

For the second time in a week...have the team vote.

Now is not the time. You want the team focusing on the playoffs, not worrying about "who should I vote for". Hold training camp next season and at the end of camp take a vote or let Lindy make the call.

[Weave]

What does being the best player on the team have to do with being named captain? Was Rivet the best player on the team? He wasn't even the best defenseman? How about when Lindy Ruff was captain? Best player on the team?

 

Agreed.

 

Best player on team =/= leadership. Vanek may be a better leader now than at any other point in his career but that doesn't necessarily mean he is captain material. It just means he's improved. And NONE of us here have any idea whether he acts like a captain on the bench or in the lockerroom. IMO you don't give someone a "C" to see how they react to it. You give a "C" out to the guy who provides the most leadership. And we have no idea if Vanek is that guy.

 

If Lindy isn't ready to give out a "C", I am good with it. He'd know better than anyone here if any single player has risen to the occassion.

[Eleven]

Now is not the time. You want the team focusing on the playoffs, not worrying about "who should I vote for". Hold training camp next season and at the end of camp take a vote or let Lindy make the call.

 

Oh, definitely at the end of training camp. No question about that. I should have been more clear.

[spndnchz]

Agreed.

 

Best player on team =/= leadership. Vanek may be a better leader now than at any other point in his career but that doesn't necessarily mean he is captain material. It just means he's improved. And NONE of us here have any idea whether he acts like a captain on the bench or in the lockerroom. IMO you don't give someone a "C" to see how they react to it. You give a "C" out to the guy who provides the most leadership. And we have no idea if Vanek is that guy.

 

If Lindy isn't ready to give out a "C", I am good with it. He'd know better than anyone here if any single player has risen to the occassion.

 

He's asked that question @ 1 min in.

 

http://video.sabres.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=668&id=107883

 

"Never been much of a rah rah guy, but you know, the past three months I thought I've been playing good, so when something needed to be said, I said it."

[Derrico]

What does being the best player on the team have to do with being named captain? Was Rivet the best player on the team? He wasn't even the best defenseman? How about when Lindy Ruff was captain? Best player on the team?

 

I completely agree with your second point about how the time is not now to give out the captaincy. But to the point above, Rivet definetly wasn't our best player and look how that worked out.

[inkman]

I really don't understand all the conjecture over a non-issue. Leaders lead regardless of what's stitched on their sweaters.

[MattPie]

Best player on team =/= leadership. Vanek may be a better leader now than at any other point in his career but that doesn't necessarily mean he is captain material. It just means he's improved. And NONE of us here have any idea whether he acts like a captain on the bench or in the lockerroom. IMO you don't give someone a "C" to see how they react to it. You give a "C" out to the guy who provides the most leadership. And we have no idea if Vanek is that guy.

 

As a follow-on in agreement, can you imagine this: 'New York Islanders Captain Alexi Yashin".

[inkman]

As a follow-on in agreement, can you imagine this: 'New York Islanders Captain Alexi Yashin".

Similar to this: "Buffalo Sabres Captain Miroslav Satan"

[Taro T]

Similar to this: "Buffalo Sabres Captain Miroslav Satan"

I'd have thought so too prior to Ziro wearing the C (during the random captain monthly drawing phase they went through prior to D/B), but he actually played well w/ the C and after the 1st 2 games the team played well too. (After being outscored 0-8 in the 1st 2 games, the team went 6-3 the rest of the month.)

 

But he never seemed to care after they took the C off his chest (which was similar to his apparent attitude prior to wearing it).

 

Yashin was a heartless :censored: regardless of wearing a letter or not. There is no way I would ever have wanted to see him wearing a Shatanic Goathead. Yashin was far worse than Ziro in the heart department.

[Doohicksie]

They will try to get a C in the offseason (Richards?) otherwise Vanek will be named captain

Yeah, that worked out so good the last time. :blink:

[eball]

Stop the foolishness and give it to VANEK already, I don't know why LINDY has to play this stupid game of not having a Captain. :wallbash:

You're so right. Clearly, the team has been negatively impacted by all of this nonsense.

[neverenough]

What does being the best player on the team have to do with being named captain? Was Rivet the best player on the team? He wasn't even the best defenseman? How about when Lindy Ruff was captain? Best player on the team?

Lets be real here,Vanek will wear the C at some point.If Lindy cant find a player to wear the C then throw all the A's in the trash!Now for Rivet,what can i say [ sucks ] and putting the C on his jersey was the dumbest move lindy ever made :doh:

[MattPie]

Similar to this: "Buffalo Sabres Captain Miroslav Satan"

 

Your example is far better than mine. I was originally going to use Kovalchuk, but turns out he has an A.

[DumbPuck]

Lets be real here,Vanek will wear the C at some point.If Lindy cant find a player to wear the C then throw all the A's in the trash!Now for Rivet,what can i say [ sucks ] and putting the C on his jersey was the dumbest move lindy ever made :doh:

 

I'm pretty sure the players chose Rivet as their last captain. Perhaps Ruff approved of the decision... but it was a player choice as he was a practice-time leader in the pre-season before his appointment.

[Taro T]

Lets be real here,Vanek will wear the C at some point.If Lindy cant find a player to wear the C then throw all the A's in the trash!Now for Rivet,what can i say [ sucks ] and putting the C on his jersey was the dumbest move lindy ever made :doh:

The team came out of the gate in '08-'09 pretty strong (6-0-2) and that they were actually playing rather physically until Rivet went out w/ his shoulder injury, right? They were 5-0-1 and looking good prior to his injury.

 

I didn't see any other player on that roster (w/ the possible exception of Miller who technically can't be the captain) that I would have put the 'C' on.

 

Could you please explain how that "was dumbest move (L)indy ever made?" And also, please tell us who SHOULD have been made captain back in '08? After the year they had in '07, I wouldn't have given it to Hank nor Toni, and Spach was a hard sell as well. I don't think any of the forwards on the roster merited the selection either, but would be interested to see why you'd've suggested naming one of them (if in case one would have been your choice).