new month = new captain

[miller76 463]

That's how they are doing it in Minnesota. Today being December 1st, the Wild have named Kim Johnsson their Captain. Taking over for Mikko Koivu as Captain, Koivu will wear the 'A' along with Andrew Brunette for the duration of this season. The Wild are going to continue rotating the Captaincy monthly, and rewarding the player who is showing the greatest leadership qualities with the 'C'. This is all per http://wild.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=395...mp;service=page

I am not sure this could ever happen in Detroit, or would I really want it that way. But with no disrespect to the great Captains like Messier, Yzerman, Gretzky, and the long list of guys, including Lidstrom. I cant say I totally hate that idea for certain teams that are looking for a leader on and off the ice. Us as fans, I am guessing have a slightly different view of what a Captain means to a team, then what it may mean in one of these locker rooms. I am guessing teams vary from one another.

What does everyone else think of this?

[Slave 31]

personally, I think it is a stupid idea, I also think giving it to a player who has just started with a team, ie jason smith in philly last year i believe. I know they gave to Yzerman early and by my standards too early in his carreer, but i think it is something that should be earned and given to the heart and soul of a team not just the guy with the most points.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I think Lilja should be captain here 9 months out of the year, while Lidstrom can be the captain from July to September.

[Guest Shoreline]

Yeah I think a team needs consistent leadership, not a carrot dangling above their heads. It's a lazy thing for a coach to do, because it's the coach's job to look for consistent team leadership on and off the ice.

[Coyote0106 2]

GR had a "rotating C" last year. We failed with a bad record, and out of the playoffs. Nope, don't need it. I like just 1 person being the Captain.

[TheBigRedMachine 2]

I prefer having one captain, it allows for some consistency when the going gets tough. I can see the advantages of having a rotating captaincy but they just don't stack up to someone who may be the "heart and soul" of a team. The 'C' should be earned, not because of a month of solid play but because of a career of solid play.

[The Mule 0]

I adore this idea. If anything, it would motivate players to work harder and perform better in order to be rewarded.

[CAredwingsfan91 28]

ask willie mitchell what he thinks

[HenryMalredo 2]

I've never liked this idea. Its great to encourage players to step up, but there needs to be consistency in leadership.

[po-GoWings 1]

it should be given to the guy with the most points if that guy is the reason why your team is winning more than the guy who grits it out and gives lockerroom talks.

Edited December 1, 2008 by po-GoWings

[rage 24]

I never liked this. I for sure wouldn't want it here in Detroit.

I am sure that it must work for some teams, but I think it takes away some of the prestige of being a Captian in the first place.

[RWK23 0]

I hate the idea.

[CenterIce 83]

it should be given to the guy with the most points if that guy is the reason why your team is winning more than the guy who grits it out and gives lockerroom talks.

You can't just give it to the top point getter. He may be that way because he is selfish and not a team player. It needs to go to someone who the team looks to when they need an example of how to perform on and off the ice.

[digitaljohn88 4]

Awww, what a disappointment. I thought you were suggesting a new captain, and I was getting excited because I was about to verbally thrash you.

[cirov19 1]

Not a good idea, you need a definite captain.

It is part of tradition and tradition is something we strictly follow here in Detroit.

Plus rotating captain means nothing. They could reward the players who showed those qualities with an 'A' like right now Hudler deserves one...

[miller76 463]

Awww, what a disappointment. I thought you were suggesting a new captain, and I was getting excited because I was about to verbally thrash you.

My opinion of Lidstrom is pretty high. I wouldn't typically trash him or any other Wings player, or coach.

[digitaljohn88 4]

You've got a great avatar.

Edited December 2, 2008 by digitaljohn88

[miller76 463]

You've got a great avatar.

thanks. so do you.

[Pskov Wings Fan 71]

It made sense for a while because they did not really have a player who appeared to be an established leader. But I was hoping they would stick with Koivu and abandon captain-for-month practice.

[isbister 0]

That's how they are doing it in Minnesota. Today being December 1st, the Wild have named Kim Johnsson their Captain. Taking over for Mikko Koivu as Captain, Koivu will wear the 'A' along with Andrew Brunette for the duration of this season. The Wild are going to continue rotating the Captaincy monthly, and rewarding the player who is showing the greatest leadership qualities with the 'C'. This is all per http://wild.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=395...mp;service=page

I am not sure this could ever happen in Detroit, or would I really want it that way. But with no disrespect to the great Captains like Messier, Yzerman, Gretzky, and the long list of guys, including Lidstrom. I cant say I totally hate that idea for certain teams that are looking for a leader on and off the ice. Us as fans, I am guessing have a slightly different view of what a Captain means to a team, then what it may mean in one of these locker rooms. I am guessing teams vary from one another.

What does everyone else think of this?

Edited December 2, 2008 by isbister

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

That's how they are doing it in Minnesota. Today being December 1st, the Wild have named Kim Johnsson their Captain. Taking over for Mikko Koivu as Captain, Koivu will wear the 'A' along with Andrew Brunette for the duration of this season. The Wild are going to continue rotating the Captaincy monthly, and rewarding the player who is showing the greatest leadership qualities with the 'C'. This is all per http://wild.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=395...mp;service=page

I am not sure this could ever happen in Detroit, or would I really want it that way. But with no disrespect to the great Captains like Messier, Yzerman, Gretzky, and the long list of guys, including Lidstrom. I cant say I totally hate that idea for certain teams that are looking for a leader on and off the ice. Us as fans, I am guessing have a slightly different view of what a Captain means to a team, then what it may mean in one of these locker rooms. I am guessing teams vary from one another.

What does everyone else think of this?

Depends on the team/situation. I'm not familiar with Minnesota's roster in-depth and am not trying to slight Minnesota in any way with this post. I think if you've got a veteran team though or a guy or two who's been around the block and is really respected both on the ice and off the ice, you go with one captain and keep it that way unless circumstances change in the extreme sense (major injury, attitude goes south for whatever reason, etc.).

If switching captains keeps a team motivated, by all means do it.

[eva unit zero 271]

I am torn about this idea.

I really don't think the 'C' should be on a player's jersey unless he's the official captain of a team. But at the same time, if giving more than three players the chance at being the 'official' leader of the team is an effective motivator, why not?

So here's what I suggest:

Either have no C and rotate three A's, or have a C and rotate two A's (similar to the Dats/Draper/Zetterberg rotation in the past couple years)

[AtomicPunk 296]

Personally, I think this idea sucks. If you have a guy like Koivu, who is scoring all their goals and is the team leader, give him the "C" and then take it away because of a calendar? That's just flat out stupid.