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- Mar 10, 2011
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Kimmo Timonen for captain. We have had enough Koivus as captain. Something else for change thnks.
Captains come in all shapes and sizes, so I don't think the team would have any trouble accepting a legend like Saku as their captain - as long as he also intends to behave like one. If he is willing to handle every aspect that comes with the letter, then fine. But if he's going to be captain for ceremonial purposes only while it still falls upon his brother to rally the troops, then it's obvious the letter is on the chest of a wrong man.Then we have the issue of the team probably wanting it to be Mikko (in a similar way to the fans). Disregarding the opinion of the majority sure wouldn't make the coach look good in the eyes of the players who are going to be sticking around.
I'd say it's a topic worth discussing, if only for the famous Erkka factor alone. Can't completely count out which one the coach will favor.Everybody has known from the day one that the captain will be Mikko Koivu. So, what's the point of this thread, anyway? To make some noise out of nothing, I guess.
Captains come in all shapes and sizes, so I don't think the team would have any trouble accepting a legend like Saku as their captain - as long as he also intends to behave like one. If he is willing to handle every aspect that comes with the letter, then fine. But if he's going to be captain for ceremonial purposes only while it still falls upon his brother to rally the troops, then it's obvious the letter is on the chest of a wrong man.
Saku can still become the mental core of this team if he wants, but that would require him believing he still is the best man for the job. And given his recent comments, that faith is flickering. He probably knows already that like the rest of the old guard, his job in Sochi is to help the team - the burden of carrying it now rests on other shoulders.
I'd say it's a topic worth discussing, if only for the famous Erkka factor alone. Can't completely count out which one the coach will favor.
The fact that Erkka even keeps Saku as an option on the table tells us he still has a soft spot for him. I've got this vibe Saku's still the one he wants to ask first, and only hand it to Mikko if Saku flat out refuses or at the very least tells him that he, too, prefers his brother.
You originally put it as if Saku being the captain could somehow create discord within the team. It's something I disagree with. Saku could still be a great presence in the locker room, and I believe no one, be they young or old, would have any problems getting behind him.That is my point exactly. The way I see it, we would be asking Mikko to captain the team even without the C. That's the problem. If Erkka puts too much faith in guys like Teemu and Saku, this team will not be successful. They can't save this team anymore. They are background singers in this show.
Jalonen would be a true double-edged sword. On one side, you'd have some players we do basically still need not answering the call. On the other side, you would not have to worry that he'd bring some dusty old relics onto the table and try to make 'em pass for quality silverware.J. Jalonen sure had his problems, but I think we all know this would not have even been discussed if he was still coach. Most likely Saku wouldn't even have been on the team, much less captained it.
You originally put it as if Saku being the captain could somehow create discord within the team. It's something I disagree with. Saku could still be a great presence in the locker room, and I believe no one, be they young or old, would have any problems getting behind him.
However, while Saku can still be exemplary leader off the ice, he can't be that on the ice. Not anymore. He's not the guy who should enter beast mode when the game is on the line and do something decisive.
Mikko, of course, is another story. He can be both. He's a presence in the locker room who very much rivals his brother, and he will also be the guy everyone will look towards when it comes the time to piggyback the squad to victory.
To sum it up, picking Saku is by no means picking a bad captain. However, it means overlooking a guy who can be even better.
Jalonen would be a true double-edged sword. On one side, you'd have some players we do basically still need not answering the call. On the other side, you would not have to worry that he'd bring some dusty old relics onto the table and try to make 'em pass for quality silverware.
Nah, I don't really see it like that. After all, Erkka is still pretty liked guy among the players. Maybe a little past his due date, but not yet completely stale.The bolded is what I was trying to say. I don't think the players would have anything against Saku, but they might not be too pleased with Erkka and that would be a problem.
It's one of those things that would be questioned from outside the team, but not inside.