Um, seriously? I would like a little clarification on this before I laugh you off the internet (if warranted).
If you are talking best Swedish captain of the Avs....yes, by default.
If you are talking most talented Swedish captain of Tre Kronor, I would like to point out Zetterberg, Sundin or some scrub named Lidstrom.
Same list for the NHL, but add another bender by the name of Forsberg, or even Alfredsson. And maybe others I am forgetting.
I'm talking about captain/leadership talent now, obviously not a ranking between the most successful Swedish captains.
If talking about captain/leadership talent Landeskog is for me outstanding because he doesn't have any real weaknesses.
For me Landeskog is combining Swedish/Nordic and American personalities and ways of thinking and playing hockey in a very good way.
- Fluent in English
- Almost like Lidstrom was sometimes called "Mr Perfect" and "The perfect human" Landeskog don't have any real flaws or scandals behind him (except perhaps when playing the Wild which is fully understandable). This is a guy you can trust, always.
- Outgoing/social kind of guy, no problem talking in front of large audiences etc, true leadership talent
- He is both able to be diplomatic in a Swedish way but also tough in a North American way, he is not afraid to speak and take leadership when necessary.
- In a very un-swedish way he is ready to stand up for a his team mates and even fight when necessary. Swedish NHL fighters hardly exist, ever, the only one I can think of now is Douglas "Crankshaft" Murray (I miss this guy so much...).
- Finally he is a good hockey player being able to lead by example, not always, not every game but many times.
Well, this is the way I see it, my personal view, Landeskog have all it takes for becoming a great captain and he has been a captain through his entire career.
Landeskog was amazingly good when young and during his NHL rookie year, not to forget debuting in SHL as a 16 year old (?!) thus the expectations became huge and I miss some of his intensity and I wish he could add some weight becoming more a true power forward type of player. Remember when Landeskog had 5 or more shots and hits in almost every game and working his ass off. It hurts but maybe he isn't a true first line player but I will always like Landy anyway. Perhaps the serious concussion changed him a little bit too (mentally and the way he is playing hockey), not sure. I would LOVE him to take the next step in the development though, sometimes almost feeling like he had his peak between approximately 17-22 years of age (hopefully not).