Stuart as Captain?

[Real1 2]

Ok, first, this is not a "Oh s$#t, we need to do something" topic. This is just an honest thought that I had.

Now, when Nick retires (I see it happening soon), would it be a slap in the face of Hank or Pavel to make Brad captian? He leads by example. He is our best defensive player, and I hear he has been known to speak up in the dressing room. Do ANY of you see this happening, or am I just crazy?

[Carman 387]

I love Stewey, but I don't think he is captain material publicity wise. Just doesn't have the flair that Zetterberg/Lidstrom do.

[VM1138 1,921]

You know, Stuart has consistently been one of our best players since we acquired him, and I wouldn't necessarily be against him being Captain. It's just that he's a fairly recent addition, and there are other guys (Zetterberg mainly) who are in line ahead of him.

[Pucks 66]

Stuart is one of the quietest guys in the NHL. I think he prefers to be in the background. His game is loud on the ice though. He's been a beast this year. One of the few bright spots along with Howard.

[under_par_00 45]

I've heart that Stuart is pretty quiet in the locker room. He is a quiet guy by nature. He has been a solid player all year though, and I love what he adds to this team.

[gcom007 1,465]

There was this other guy, Steve something, he was pretty quiet too...

I don't know one way or the other to be honest, and I doubt it'll happen, but in any event I really like the way he challenges himself and steps up his game when it matters most. He's looked great most of this year and I remember him specifically calling himself out early on and since that day, you can tell he's out there working hard to elevate his game. I think it's more likely that he could inherit an "A" from Draper in a year.

I'm not sold on Zetterberg as a captain though either...something about it doesn't quite sit right with me though I have no real logical reason as to why.

[Guest mindfly]

C Kronwall

A Zetterberg

A Stuart

That would be nice (assuming draper and lidstrom are done soon)

Edited December 12, 2009 by mindfly

[Real1 2]

You know, Stuart has consistently been one of our best players since we acquired him, and I wouldn't necessarily be against him being Captain. It's just that he's a fairly recent addition, and there are other guys (Zetterberg mainly) who are in line ahead of him.

This is EXACTLY what my thoughts are. I think he would make a good captian as he stick up for his guys, and he can back it up, but he might be too new make captain.

[Real1 2]

C Kronwall

A Zetterberg

A Stuart

That would be nice (assuming draper and lidstrom are done soon)

Your kidding me right? I doubt Kronwall will ever get the C on this team...

[Reds4Life 51]

Don't write off Lids so soon, he might play few more years.

Besides, does it really matter who wears the letter? I do not think so.

Leaders are leaders no matter if they wear C, A or nothing at all on their jerseys.

Edited December 12, 2009 by Reds4Life

[gcom007 1,465]

This is EXACTLY what my thoughts are. I think he would make a good captian as he stick up for his guys, and he can back it up, but he might be too new make captain.

If Lids plays a couple more years (likely) and Stuart signs a final, career-spanning extension before he leaves, he won't be too new. Plus he was a big part of our last Cup victory. Guys on the Cup-winning teams are family in Detroit and he made a big commitment signing the 4-year deal considering his family situation. Remember how everyone thought he was gone? Stuart's a guy who in many ways is easy to overlook as a Red Wing but he really has become and incredibly important part of this team. Again, by the time any letters for him are a possibility, "too new" shouldn't be an issue.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

i wouldn't mind him getting A, but he probably won't

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Lilja will be captain when he comes back.

He looks like the guy from that movie 300, so he has natural leadership qualities. He blocks shots, fights for his teammates and is better looking than Zetterberg.

This is a no brainer to me.

[Doc Holiday 0]

I guess we can ignore the whole 12 year contract Zetterberg got and the fact that he was drafted in the system and that he has been Detroit's best skater in the playoffs the past two years and the fact that he is considered a leading type of player.

But other than that I see no problem with Stuart getting the C.

[Echolalia 2,961]

He has really stepped up when we needed him to. Hopefully he can keep it up, and I wouldn't be against seeing a letter sewn onto his jersey once Lids retires, but not the 'C'.

[thedisappearer 291]

You have to go back to 1986 to find the last time the Wings have had a captain they didn't draft. I don't see this changing when Lids retires.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

I think it's a forgone conclusion:

C - Z

A - Dats

A - Franzen/Kronner/someone else

[Real1 2]

You have to go back to 1986 to find the last time the Wings have had a captain they didn't draft. I don't see this changing when Lids retires.

Because we have had SOOOOOOO many captains between then and now.

If we had several home grown captains, as in more than 5, i might see your point. But 2, does not count.

[thedisappearer 291]

Because we have had SOOOOOOO many captains between then and now.

If we had several home grown captains, as in more than 5, i might see your point. But 2, does not count.

You seem to have missed my point, which I will elaborate for you.

When Mr Illitch bought the team, he decided to foster a family environment heavy in loyalty. This means standing by the players we draft. Z, Dats and Kronner are the future letter-wears for the Wings.

[ben_usmc 253]

it never in a million years would happen, but i certainly wouldn't be opposed to it

[cupforwings 138]

Don't write off Lids so soon, he might play few more years.

Besides, does it really matter who wears the letter? I do not think so.

Leaders are leaders no matter if they wear C, A or nothing at all on their jerseys.

Not quite... Patrick Marleau has played 100 times better since he got the C taken away from him... some people just play better without the added pressure of a captaincy... Hank is the obvious choice for the C, but I could see stuart getting an A. Usually, teams like to have at least one of their captains as a defensemen.

[Rush 7]

He is our best defensive player, and I hear he has been known to speak up in the dressing room.

I wonder what he had to say in that locker room after game 7 of last year's Finals.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I wonder what he had to say in that locker room after game 7 of last year's Finals.

Well played, sir.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

I wonder what he had to say in that locker room after game 7 of last year's Finals.

You know what, I've heard this too many times. It's bulls***, I'm a pretty whiney fan, most can attest to that, but credit where credit is due. Stuart was our 2nd best defence in both Cup final runs, and has one bad game and that's all people remember. Ridiculous, he's been our best this year, and should we make the playoffs, it'll be in large part because of guys like Brad Stuart stepping up.

[Konnan511 1,736]

I think it's a forgone conclusion:

C - Z

A - Dats

A - Franzen/Kronner/someone else

Honestly, I see:

C - Z

A - Pavs

A - Rotating between Filppula and Kronners