C - Spezza
A - Karlsson
A - Neil
Pretty close to what should happen.
Alfredsson is so epochal and ingrained as captain that a simple "A" sharing might be best for the first season. GIve "A" to Karlsson, Spezza and Neil or Phillips then let the leadership settle itself over the next few years. I'm cold on Spezza with a "C" as it hasn't worked out well for skill guys here in the past. Also leery of people constantly comparing him to Alfredsson "Well Alfredsson was fantastic two-way, why isn't Spezza? Alfredsson stays here in the off-season, why is Spezza in Toronto?" and so on.
If I HAD to have one, I'd go:
C) Karlsson (Silfverberg down the road)
A) Neil
A) Spezza or Phillips
Should go to the guy who will be the face of the franchise for the next 15+ years. Unfortunately, it will go to Spezza.
Ughhh Spezza CANNOT get the 'C'
He would be the one of the worst captains in the NHL. Spezza is not a motivator, he is not someone who inspires people; worst of all he is not someone that the rest of the team should look at to lead by example.
That is the most defining quality in a captain; leading by example. This is what makes Alfie such an amazing captain. Spezza, for all his spectacular talents, makes too many bonehead decisions and rarely shows the kinds of good decisions that others can learn from.
We have had this discussion for a long time on this board. Spezza is in line to get the 'C' and if he does not - he might be seriously pissed about it which could lead to problems. But just because your the most talented veteran on the team does not mean you should get the 'C' by default. I see a lot more leadership potential in a someone like Karlsson than Spezza.
I think the best case scenario is to "retire" the 'C' for a couple seasons in honor of Alfie, and allow Karlsson to start moving into that role naturally before making it officially his.
While I would have agreed with you in the past, I think things have now changed & that the momentum to make Spezza the next captain has gotten to big to stop. I would also say that over the last two yrs under Maclean, Spezza seems to have matured more & played much better including defensively. Being married & having kids I'm sure has also had a beneficial effect on him. He is well spoken, tows the company line, is more mature & IMO is probably the next guy in line to be the captain of this team & should be.
You make some valid points. We can only hope that these changes translate into natural leadership role.
Ughhh Spezza CANNOT get the 'C'
He would be the one of the worst captains in the NHL. Spezza is not a motivator, he is not someone who inspires people; worst of all he is not someone that the rest of the team should look at to lead by example.
That is the most defining quality in a captain; leading by example. This is what makes Alfie such an amazing captain. Spezza, for all his spectacular talents, makes too many bonehead decisions and rarely shows the kinds of good decisions that others can learn from.
We have had this discussion for a long time on this board. Spezza is in line to get the 'C' and if he does not - he might be seriously pissed about it which could lead to problems. But just because your the most talented veteran on the team does not mean you should get the 'C' by default. I see a lot more leadership potential in a someone like Karlsson than Spezza.
I think the best case scenario is to "retire" the 'C' for a couple seasons in honor of Alfie, and allow Karlsson to start moving into that role naturally before making it officially his.
Ughhh Spezza CANNOT get the 'C'
He would be the one of the worst captains in the NHL. Spezza is not a motivator, he is not someone who inspires people; worst of all he is not someone that the rest of the team should look at to lead by example.
That is the most defining quality in a captain; leading by example. This is what makes Alfie such an amazing captain. Spezza, for all his spectacular talents, makes too many bonehead decisions and rarely shows the kinds of good decisions that others can learn from.
We have had this discussion for a long time on this board. Spezza is in line to get the 'C' and if he does not - he might be seriously pissed about it which could lead to problems. But just because your the most talented veteran on the team does not mean you should get the 'C' by default. I see a lot more leadership potential in a someone like Karlsson than Spezza.
I think the best case scenario is to "retire" the 'C' for a couple seasons in honor of Alfie, and allow Karlsson to start moving into that role naturally before making it officially his.
Ughhh Spezza CANNOT get the 'C'
He would be the one of the worst captains in the NHL. Spezza is not a motivator, he is not someone who inspires people; worst of all he is not someone that the rest of the team should look at to lead by example.
That is the most defining quality in a captain; leading by example. This is what makes Alfie such an amazing captain. Spezza, for all his spectacular talents, makes too many bonehead decisions and rarely shows the kinds of good decisions that others can learn from.
We have had this discussion for a long time on this board. Spezza is in line to get the 'C' and if he does not - he might be seriously pissed about it which could lead to problems. But just because your the most talented veteran on the team does not mean you should get the 'C' by default. I see a lot more leadership potential in a someone like Karlsson than Spezza.
I think the best case scenario is to "retire" the 'C' for a couple seasons in honor of Alfie, and allow Karlsson to start moving into that role naturally before making it officially his.
Ughhh Spezza CANNOT get the 'C'
He would be the one of the worst captains in the NHL. Spezza is not a motivator, he is not someone who inspires people; worst of all he is not someone that the rest of the team should look at to lead by example.
That is the most defining quality in a captain; leading by example. This is what makes Alfie such an amazing captain. Spezza, for all his spectacular talents, makes too many bonehead decisions and rarely shows the kinds of good decisions that others can learn from.
We have had this discussion for a long time on this board. Spezza is in line to get the 'C' and if he does not - he might be seriously pissed about it which could lead to problems. But just because your the most talented veteran on the team does not mean you should get the 'C' by default. I see a lot more leadership potential in a someone like Karlsson than Spezza.
I think the best case scenario is to "retire" the 'C' for a couple seasons in honor of Alfie, and allow Karlsson to start moving into that role naturally before making it officially his.
So you would be ready to show Neil your appreciation with an A for a couple years?