Who should be the next Wings captain?

[Wing Across The Pond 196]

I chose other for a number of reasons... as has been established, Dats has the "A" but I dont think he's as natural a leader as say Hank to get the "C", Lids will probs stay for a few more years so I would wanna give it to someone younger so thats Draper out of the picture but the main problem with Hank (although he probably will get the "C") is that theres no guarantee he'll play all the games... I mean we know that he's pretty injury prone these days (had a few spells out this season with his back) and so I've got to ask would it be worthwhile (and I want to know if this has ever been done before) to have a rotating "C" like they've done with the "A"s this year?

Just a thought you know.....

[TCfan1340 0]

I think Hank will and should be the next captain. Dats and ( I'm thinking outside the box here) Kronwall will wear the A's. Maybe Rafalski. I think they will pick one of the defensive players for one of the A's and since they are susposedly grooming Kronwall to take over for Lids, I think he will get it. Of course I am also assuming that Kronwall's play keeps improving over the next 3 years. Also, someone mentioned earlier that Hank was given an A before Dats even though Dats was here longer, but they did want Datsuyk to wear the A but Datsyuk said he wasn't ready. As for him getting the A this year, I am not sure he really wanted it, but Holland said tht Babcock wanted him to wear it because he, Pavel, needed to understand that he was part of the leadership of this team and that he needed to take on that role. I think Pavel would much rather stay in the background. The only way Hank isn't captain of the Red Wings when Lidstrom retires is if Hank isn't playing for the Red Wings (god forbid).

[Lucky #13 0]

IMO, a captain should be a leader, not just the "best" player. This mentality will lead you to giving your rookie the C just because he is a star player (Crosby). I don't really see Hank giving any motivational speeches to the team or even stepping up and telling people how it is when need be. I say give it to Drapes then consider Hank.

[aflac9262 211]

I don't really see Hank giving any motivational speeches to the team or even stepping up and telling people how it is when need be.

Ditto.

I actually would like to consider Cleary become captain believe it or not.

[hokeychik22 17]

Hank,no question or doubt about that either..just look at the guy

[Spinner 6]

Gotta be Hank. Other than Lidstrom, he's our best player, and he plays as hard as anyone on both sides of the ice. I don't see either Drapes or Chelios getting the captaincy, especially since those guys are close to retiring anyway. If Lidstrom plays a few more years, Hank will be around 30 by the time he gets the captaincy. I don't see anyone else rising to take that spot during that time.

IMO I think Dats is just as equally great of a player than Hank, but overall, I agree it should be Hank because he has better communication skills

[Doc Holiday 0]

Zetterberg has the charisma on the team, is respected, and knows how to lead by example.

Datsyuk would be a worthy candidate if he could speak english well. Unfortunately you can barely understand what he says a majority of the time and that would hurt for the new guys to get a handle on a captain they can't really understand.

Draper will probably retire around the same time as Lindstrom, which wouldn't be an ideal situation for the team.

Along with the others, no one has really been there long enough to seem worthy of captainship in my opinion. After Yzerman and Lidstrom, how are you supposed to follow?

[Holmstrom96Screens 0]

I would also have to say Henrik.

[Shutemdown 23]

I chose other for a number of reasons... as has been established, Dats has the "A" but I dont think he's as natural a leader as say Hank to get the "C", Lids will probs stay for a few more years so I would wanna give it to someone younger so thats Draper out of the picture but the main problem with Hank (although he probably will get the "C") is that theres no guarantee he'll play all the games... I mean we know that he's pretty injury prone these days (had a few spells out this season with his back) and so I've got to ask would it be worthwhile (and I want to know if this has ever been done before) to have a rotating "C" like they've done with the "A"s this year?

Just a thought you know.....

If you'll recall, Stevie Y. battled with a bad knee throughout his career and still led his team perfectly. If anything, our team watched him limp off the ice everynight, cringing in pain, and it inspiried the whole team to give that same effort and fight through similar pain.

If Zetterberg can overcome his weakness just like Yzerman did, he'll wear the 'C'. If not, then it will go to Draper (assuming he's not too old or tired). IMO, Draper has the heart and personality to be the next captain, but his stats are diminishing with age, so we'll see.

I'm gonna say Hank and hope that his either his injuries subside, or he plays through them.

[Slave 31]

Hank and Pav co captain with the "C", kronwall and cleary get the "A" is my opinion