And your 2021-22 Buffalo Sabres Captains are:

[Doohicksie]

This is a team in transition from suckitude to... well hopefully not suckitude.

Given that, who do you think will get the C and the As next year?

I have my own arbitrary opinion that I'm sure you'll all agree with  😉

• Captain:  Jack Eichel.  Still the best player on the team.  Although tremendous growth from the young middle six lessens the load on Jack, he is still the engine that drives the Sabres.  Under newly named Head Coach Don Granato, Eichel brings a newfound energy and motivation.  Captain Jack will get you high again.
• Assistant Captain:  Rasmus Ristolainen.  Although his defense partner and 2021 Assistant Captain Jake McCabe is back and healthy, Risto demonstrated how truly valuable he is to this team as the primary shutdown Dman no mater who he's paired with.  His tutelage of Bryson and Samuelsson demonstrated his value to the Sabres' D corps by teaching them the tenacity, physicality, decision-making and frankly, intimidation, required to be a Sabres defenseman.  Rasmus Dahlin may be the wunderkind of the Sabres Dmen, but Risto is its heart and soul, and this became apparent in the 2021 season.
• Assistant Captain:  Casey Mittelstadt.  With the retirement of now Amerks Assistant Coach Kyle Okposo, a new Assistant Captain needed to be named.  2021 turned out to be a breakout year for Mitts and his linemates, Tage Thompson and Rasmus Asplund.  Over a relatively short span of games he transformed from a struggling prospect to a complete player, a center who can win key faceoffs, kill penalties and protect leads, catalyze the power play and even be one of the team's best finishers.  He cannot single-handedly turn a game the same way Eichel can, but he's learned to use all his teammates to defend his goal and threaten the opponent's goal very effectively.  His savvy at moving the puck and knowing when to pass and when to shoot has made him one of the team's most dangerous weapons, and he's developed a level of grit that other teams hate to play against.
• Waiting in the Wings:  Dylan Cozens.  He will likely be a future Captain of the Buffalo Sabres but his time is not here yet.  If anyone can work his way into the leadership troika, though, it's Dylan Cozens.  He is the face of the up-and-coming Buffalo Sabres who has never played on the Sabres as a losing team.

[Doohicksie]

(This post is written from my projection of where we will be coming out of Training Camp)

[PerreaultForever]

Eichel's a crap captain. If he's on team I guess you can't take it away from him but we'd be better off with someone else . 

I don't know if I want to anoint Mitts with a leadership role just yet but maybe. I'd still prefer if we brought in a Nick Foligno type and gave him a letter. 

I think Cozens could be captain material, but it's a tough thing to hand out letters to young kids too soon. I'd let Kyle keep his letter (assuming he's back) and wait one more year. 

[MODO Hockey]

I dont think Jack is a crap captain, he just got the C way to early. 
It was almost like the sabres had to give him C because he was and still is our biggest star. 
 

But that is not why you give someone the C, and i honstly believe that is why they gave him that because he was showing signs on and off the ice. But man, there are very few ppl that can captain a nhl team at that age, specially when it comes to a team that is struggling like we have, it takes ALOT by a captain to try and shoulder that.

Jack need a good mentor to take the next step and maybe just maybe is Granato that person, and if that would be the case i rest my case cuz then Jack will most likely become what he was born to, a complete athlete. 



 

[JKB1646]

Jack is not Captain material! He does way more pissing & moaning and sulking than leading!

 

McCabe for Captain!.....Bazinga. 

[MODO Hockey]

3 minutes ago, JKB1646 said:

Jack is not Captain material! He does way more pissing & moaning and sulking than leading!

 

McCabe for Captain!.....Bazinga. 

" Dahlin Sucks. The Sabres organization has given him so much rope....it’s time to reel him in. Send his A#&*&@“)( Down! "

This is your comment, and look at Dahlin now. I dont really think you understand what pressure and missleading coaching can do to a young player. 

[Scottysabres]

49 minutes ago, MODO Hockey said:

" Dahlin Sucks. The Sabres organization has given him so much rope....it’s time to reel him in. Send his A#&*&@“)( Down! "

This is your comment, and look at Dahlin now. I dont really think you understand what pressure and missleading coaching can do to a young player. 

Well MODO, if we didn't know then, we sure as hell do now.

You are very correct, the coach. We as fans often over look the coaching. The 2020/2021 Buffalo Sabres are a text book case of just how critical coaching philosophy and it's implementation can impact not only a player, or a couple of players, but an entire roster.

Wow is all I got, just.....WOW. It's like night and day.

[Thorner]

Not sure about CM, agree on JE obviously and RR, too, even. I like the idea of Cozens being in the future plans in this regards, but I also see Dahlin, there, too. He's developing that Lidstrom demeanor in my eyes

[RangerDave]

I don't see what goes on in the locker room and I don't hear what gets said on the bench during games.  That said, I can't make any judgments as to who is a good leader who can motivate his teammates and who can influence coaches and referees.  That is what a captain is.  I've never understood the notion that the player who scores the most or plays the best should be the captain.  You can be a great player at age 18 (or 19 or 20...), but until you get some experience and wisdom, I don't think you can be a great captain.

[inkman]

52 minutes ago, RangerDave said:

I don't see what goes on in the locker room and I don't hear what gets said on the bench during games.  That said, I can't make any judgments as to who is a good leader who can motivate his teammates and who can influence coaches and referees.  That is what a captain is.  I've never understood the notion that the player who scores the most or plays the best should be the captain.  You can be a great player at age 18 (or 19 or 20...), but until you get some experience and wisdom, I don't think you can be a great captain.

Players who wear the C and players who lead don’t necessarily have a large cross section in a Venn Diagram 

[MODO Hockey]

2 hours ago, Scottysabres said:

Well MODO, if we didn't know then, we sure as hell do now.

You are very correct, the coach. We as fans often over look the coaching. The 2020/2021 Buffalo Sabres are a text book case of just how critical coaching philosophy and it's implementation can impact not only a player, or a couple of players, but an entire roster.

Wow is all I got, just.....WOW. It's like night and day.

Night and day, indeed.

[LGR4GM]

9 hours ago, Doohickie said:

 

• Assistant Captain:  Rasmus Ristolainen.  Although his defense partner and 2021 Assistant Captain Jake McCabe is back and healthy, Risto demonstrated how truly valuable he is to this team as the primary shutdown Dman no mater who he's paired with.  His tutelage of Bryson and Samuelsson demonstrated his value to the Sabres' D corps by teaching them the tenacity, physicality, decision-making and frankly, intimidation, required to be a Sabres defenseman.  Rasmus Dahlin may be the wunderkind of the Sabres Dmen, but Risto is its heart and soul, and this became apparent in the 2021 season.

What the actual *****. 

Edited April 19, 2021 by LGR4GM

[North Buffalo]

5 hours ago, MODO Hockey said:

I dont think Jack is a crap captain, he just got the C way to early. 
It was almost like the sabres had to give him C because he was and still is our biggest star. 
 

But that is not why you give someone the C, and i honstly believe that is why they gave him that because he was showing signs on and off the ice. But man, there are very few ppl that can captain a nhl team at that age, specially when it comes to a team that is struggling like we have, it takes ALOT by a captain to try and shoulder that.

Jack need a good mentor to take the next step and maybe just maybe is Granato that person, and if that would be the case i rest my case cuz then Jack will most likely become what he was born to, a complete athlete. 



 

I hope so Modo from your mouth to Granato's to Jack's ears

[LGR4GM]

9 hours ago, Doohickie said:

This is a team in transition from suckitude to... well hopefully not suckitude.

Given that, who do you think will get the C and the As next year?

I have my own arbitrary opinion that I'm sure you'll all agree with  😉

• Captain:  Jack Eichel.  Still the best player on the team.  Although tremendous growth from the young middle six lessens the load on Jack, he is still the engine that drives the Sabres.  Under newly named Head Coach Don Granato, Eichel brings a newfound energy and motivation.  Captain Jack will get you high again.
• Assistant Captain:  Rasmus Ristolainen.  Although his defense partner and 2021 Assistant Captain Jake McCabe is back and healthy, Risto demonstrated how truly valuable he is to this team as the primary shutdown Dman no mater who he's paired with.  His tutelage of Bryson and Samuelsson demonstrated his value to the Sabres' D corps by teaching them the tenacity, physicality, decision-making and frankly, intimidation, required to be a Sabres defenseman.  Rasmus Dahlin may be the wunderkind of the Sabres Dmen, but Risto is its heart and soul, and this became apparent in the 2021 season.
• Assistant Captain:  Casey Mittelstadt.  With the retirement of now Amerks Assistant Coach Kyle Okposo, a new Assistant Captain needed to be named.  2021 turned out to be a breakout year for Mitts and his linemates, Tage Thompson and Rasmus Asplund.  Over a relatively short span of games he transformed from a struggling prospect to a complete player, a center who can win key faceoffs, kill penalties and protect leads, catalyze the power play and even be one of the team's best finishers.  He cannot single-handedly turn a game the same way Eichel can, but he's learned to use all his teammates to defend his goal and threaten the opponent's goal very effectively.  His savvy at moving the puck and knowing when to pass and when to shoot has made him one of the team's most dangerous weapons, and he's developed a level of grit that other teams hate to play against.
• Waiting in the Wings:  Dylan Cozens.  He will likely be a future Captain of the Buffalo Sabres but his time is not here yet.  If anyone can work his way into the leadership troika, though, it's Dylan Cozens.  He is the face of the up-and-coming Buffalo Sabres who has never played on the Sabres as a losing team.

Risto is not a primary shutdown defender and literally never has been. His decision making is ATROCIOUS. 

Casey has played well for 10 games... that does not a captain make. 

I hate everything in here except the idea of Captain Jack. 

Edited April 19, 2021 by LGR4GM

[PerreaultForever]

3 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

I hate everything in here except the idea of Captain Jack. 

well............your sister's out on a date and you just stay home and.........................

 

[msw2112]

Eichel has to remain the captain.  Pulling the "C" from him would be a disaster.  I think Couzens is the perfect type of player to be a future captain, but he's too young, coming off of his rookie season.  He'll wear the "A" in a couple of years if Jack is still around, and the "C" if Jack ever moves on.  If McCabe comes back, he keeps the "A" and if Reinhart has his own line he may get the other one.  I could also see Girgensons getting an "A" if he comes back healthy and Okposo retires or is otherwise off the roster.  Other than Jack keeping the captaincy, I'm not overly certain about the rest, but there are a few unknowns at this point.

[Ogelthorpe]

Are not on the roster

[Trettioåtta]

Lidstrom and Bergeron are two people who wore an A admirably for a long period when they could have been captain.

Eichel won't be stripped of the C - especially when you're trying to assure him the 7th time really is the charm

[Gabrielor]

C Eichel

A Reinhart

A Mittelstadt

Atm.

Risto is traded, so no letter.

[msw2112]

16 minutes ago, Gabrielor said:

C Eichel

A Reinhart

A Mittelstadt

Atm.

Risto is traded, so no letter.

I agree with the first 2, but not the third.  First, a defenseman should have one of the 3 captain roles and second, while Mittlestadt has looked great in the last several games (which is a fantastic development for the team), he hasn't played enough in the league, and isn't a big enough star, to garner serious consideration for the other assistant captain role.  McCabe, if he comes back, is likely to retain it; Risto if McCabe goes and he stays; not sure who it would be if both are gone.  Most of our other D are still too young/inexperienced to have a letter.  If we add a veteran D in free agency that fits the mold, it could be that guy.

Edited April 19, 2021 by msw2112

[thewookie1]

33 minutes ago, Gabrielor said:

C Eichel

A Reinhart

A Mittelstadt

Atm.

Risto is traded, so no letter.

Mitts doesn’t get one yet; however he’d be one of my injury Alternates. 

[Doohicksie]

35 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

Mitts doesn’t get one yet; however he’d be one of my injury Alternates. 

Granato has the opportunity to do that *right now* with Okposo out for the season.

Just sayin'.

[PerreaultForever]

12 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

Granato has the opportunity to do that *right now* with Okposo out for the season.

Just sayin'.

He could, but if he's trying to build a team first attitude it might be best to just give the temporary letters to the most veteran players  for now. 

[Doohicksie]

"Your Assistant Captain, CODY EAKIN"

[Weave]

No letters while you are still on your rookie contract.

#myrules