Speculation: Captain (Rolston - Captain To Be Named Today)

[Der Jaeger]

Sabres are in a tough spot for the captaincy. Leadership is about doing (being a good player) and being (vocal leadership, a figure that unites the team as well as communicates to the refs, opposing captain).

They've got plenty of younger players who could grow into the role: Hodgson, Foligno, Girgensons, Myers, Pysyk, McCabe, and possibly Larsson (I've never seen him play or seen his on-ice attitude).

Do you risk making Vanek the captain, only to leave in free agency if you can't re-sign him?

I'd let the players vote every month for the captaincy, see see how guys handle it. It also reduces the load being the captain for only a month. It's the safest route. Little pressure, no long-term commitments, and the team could see what leadership material it has for the future.

 

[Lassa]

Larsson must beoneof the most merited captains, having led his national team to the wjc gold. There were many articles at the time of his leadership skills and how he was the natural leader of the team.

He also has an under-18 silver as a captain

 

[gallagt01]

Just a hunch, but I wouldn't doubt it if Rolston's choices are the guys who donned letters last night.

C-Vanek
A-Ehrhoff
A-Ott

If the team is competitive and Vanek is given the C, there is little doubt in my mind that he'd re-sign. We was visibly upset when he was spurned by Ruff; he'd be honored if Rolston slapped it on him.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Just a hunch, but I wouldn't doubt it if Rolston's choices are the guys who donned letters last night.

C-Vanek
A-Ehrhoff
A-Ott

If the team is competitive and Vanek is given the C, there is little doubt in my mind that he'd re-sign. We was visibly upset when he was spurned by Ruff; he'd be honored if Rolston slapped it on him.

That's what I listed earlier, and I'd be surprised (if there's only two "A"s) if Rolston chose a different combination.

 

[heartsabres*]

what is weird ?

those 13 aren't even 50% of the teams (IF those guys were all captains right now)

Actually the poster missed Zetterberg and a case could be made for Ladd, Koivu, Brown and Landeskog
You should pay more attention. 4 teams don´t have captains including the sabres which if it is Vanek he is the best player....
Of those 4 vacancies you are looking at Stamkos or St. Louis, Vanek, Eberle or Hall and well Columbus is terrible.
So that puts it at 17 or 18 out of 26 = 65%(not including Vanek)

PS. That is not including the last 20 years where you are looking at Messier, Yzerman, Sakic, Gretzky, Hall, Lafontaine, Lemiuex, Hawerchuk ect ect ect ect.....

 

[Myllz]

Just a hunch, but I wouldn't doubt it if Rolston's choices are the guys who donned letters last night.

C-Vanek
A-Ehrhoff
A-Ott

If the team is competitive and Vanek is given the C, there is little doubt in my mind that he'd re-sign. We was visibly upset when he was spurned by Ruff; he'd be honored if Rolston slapped it on him.

I went with Hodgson as the second A, but Ott's definitely a possibility.

 

[SackTastic]

Sabres are in a tough spot for the captaincy. Leadership is about doing (being a good player) and being (vocal leadership, a figure that unites the team as well as communicates to the refs, opposing captain).

They've got plenty of younger players who could grow into the role: Hodgson, Foligno, Girgensons, Myers, Pysyk, McCabe, and possibly Larsson (I've never seen him play or seen his on-ice attitude).

Do you risk making Vanek the captain, only to leave in free agency if you can't re-sign him?

I'd let the players vote every month for the captaincy, see see how guys handle it. It also reduces the load being the captain for only a month. It's the safest route. Little pressure, no long-term commitments, and the team could see what leadership material it has for the future.

Yes for letting the players do it.

No for doing it every month.

 

[boots electric]

has anyone kept track of who has worn the C each game through the preseason. Vanek's worn it two or three times, I know I've seen Ehrhoff wear it too, and I know I'm missing one or two other people

 

[Beerz]

has anyone kept track of who has worn the C each game through the preseason. Vanek's worn it two or three times, I know I've seen Ehrhoff wear it too, and I know I'm missing one or two other people

Ott , Vanek and Ehrhoff wore it twice... Hodgson once.

 

[tsujimoto74]

has anyone kept track of who has worn the C each game through the preseason. Vanek's worn it two or three times, I know I've seen Ehrhoff wear it too, and I know I'm missing one or two other people

Ott had it once or twice. Hodgson had it once.

 

[sba]

It should be Vanek, and he should be resigned.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

It should be Vanek, and he should be resigned.

Preach!

 

[gallagt01]

I went with Hodgson as the second A, but Ott's definitely a possibility.

I'm starting to think four alternates is the most likely scenario after all.

I can't see them spurning Ott, who Rolston gave a letter to after Regehr and Pominville were sent packing last year. Vanek and Ehrhoff also seem like locks to wear letters.

I feel like four is necessary if they're trying to cement Hodgson as a young leader of an even younger group (which they've clearly hinted at given the times he's worn a letter in the preseason).

C-Vanek
A-Ehrhoff
A-Ott
A-Hodgson
A-Weber/Stafford/Myers (long shot)/Kaleta

 

[couture23]

It should be Vanek, and he should be resigned.

New avi threw me off!

Yeah, agreed 100% - well, it is his choice.

 

[DJN21]

give it to vanek already...I dont get the "he might leave next year" dilemma...that just gives us one more year to see if 1. ott resigns 2. any of hodgson, Myers, Foligno or outside shots Foligno,Larsson, girgs deserve a letter 3. Stafford or less likely C.E gets traded...

This year's technical captain is irrelevant to me. Once we see where Vanek, Miller, and Ott go the true identity of this team will be defined and then we really have a decision to make...

 

[sba]

New avi threw me off!

<3 Zads

 

[TheHoff]

I wonder how long the staff still want to wait to decide on this matter?! Season starts in just two more days...

 

[ADoubleD]

I wonder how long the staff still want to wait to decide on this matter?! Season starts in just two more days...

Rolston said he's going to name a captain today or tomorrow.

Here's some fun speculation. I wonder if the reason it's taking this extra time is because they want it to be Vanek, but want him to be extended first. If that's the case then contract negotiations with Vanek might explain the delay.

 

[OkimLom]

Rolston said he's going to name a captain today or tomorrow.

Here's some fun speculation. I wonder if the reason it's taking this extra time is because they want it to be Vanek, but want him to be extended first. If that's the case then contract negotiations with Vanek might explain the delay.

Wonder if they'll reveal the Captain via twitter pics hinting at the choice.

 

[ZZamboni]

Wonder if they'll reveal the Captain via twitter pics hinting at the choice.

Every 4 hours they release a teaser photo ...


First, they'll show a close up of his pupil.

Second, his right thumb.

Third, his left knee.

Fourth, his nostrils.

Fifth, his mouth

Sixth, his right ear and a little hair.

And finally the entire image of ..... Leino as the new captain

 

[Paxon]

I wonder how long the staff still want to wait to decide on this matter?! Season starts in just two more days...

I always felt it was going to wait until after final cuts, so I would assume it'll happen after practice today or tomorrow

 

[Zip15]

Every 4 hours they release a teaser photo ...


First, they'll show a close up of his pupil.

Second, his right thumb.

Third, his left knee.

Fourth, his nostrils.

Fifth, his mouth

Sixth, his right ear and a little hair.

And finally the entire image of ..... Leino as the new captain

His full, well-coifed beard will be a dead giveaway!

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Ehrhoff doesn't have a beard but well taken care of hair on his head.

 

[enthusiast]

I hope the team takes the ice wednesday with duct tape over the spot where the letter would be. Every 3 minutes someone rips it off.

 

[vcv]

Captain will be named tomorrow.