As Maurice mentioned, the captain's role is largely off ice and holds a fundamentally different standard and role in Canadian hockey culture. They are looking long term and I actually am inclined to believe that Lowry might be their guy. Not a knock on Wheeler at all, just that Lowry is a natural leader and the Jets coaching staff think highly of him. He may very well be an influence in that dressing room that does make a difference, and that is independent of what some, including Lowry himself, may consider an underachieving season thus far.
As Maurice mentioned, the captain's role is largely off ice and holds a fundamentally different standard and role in Canadian hockey culture. They are looking long term and I actually am inclined to believe that Lowry might be their guy. Not a knock on Wheeler at all, just that Lowry is a natural leader and the Jets coaching staff think highly of him. He may very well be an influence in that dressing room that does make a difference, and that is independent of what some, including Lowry himself, may consider an underachieving season thus far.
55. First on the ice. Last off the ice. Hardest worker. Far superior player.
3 A's This year.
Next year, I'm good with Wheeler. He is the most vocal Jets and show's his passion a lot that is good.
With that though, people who normally doesn't see the whole pictures, behind close door, other off ice and etc. Will always tend to give it that person. Hence he is popular. Same with normal work.
Ladd was a very good captain, on and off the ice. Only draw back for me, he tends to not talk a lot. But it doesn't mean he is a bad captain. He just needs to improve on that. No captain is perfect anyways.
If Wheeler gets to be the captain, all focus will be on him with added pressure, on and off the ice. Captain is not n easy task because now you have to tread a fine line all the time.
GO JETS GO
If LADD comes back that will be so sweet!
Ladd Little Wheeler
Perrault Schiefele Stafford
Connor Matthews Ehlers
Dano Lowry Armia
Lemiuex Copp De Leo
Thorburn Burmistrov Peluso
You bury TBP in the depth chart as the 6th line. Where in a very good team, they belong.
Please no letter for Lowry. Don't want any impediment to trading him when Maurice finally realizes the player can't live up to coach's unrealistic expectations and is being superceded by upcoming talent. Wheeler C, Buff A, dump Stuart, A for Scheifele maybe, or maybe Little.
If it was up to me I'd give the C to Wheeler immediately and the A to Scheifele. The kid is ready for a letter and to apprentice under Wheeler until the C gets passed on to him a few years down the line.
I don't believe that Schief is the natural leader type. I'm a huge fan and I think he is the type of character who will always be developing on and off the ice, so maybe he'll be that guy eventually. I just don't think he's there yet. Among the young guys, Trouba might be a better candidate for a letter, although he'll need to demonstrate to TNSE that he wants to be part of this organization for the longer term.
I don't believe that Schief is the natural leader type. I'm a huge fan and I think he is the type of character who will always be developing on and off the ice, so maybe he'll be that guy eventually. I just don't think he's there yet. Among the young guys, Trouba might be a better candidate for a letter, although he'll need to demonstrate to TNSE that he wants to be part of this organization for the longer term.
Listening to Lowry's interview about Dano today, I must say he's definitely gonna be an A or C one day. He is a great interviewer, talks well and seems extremely smart on what to say.
I still Vote Wheeler for C, next year though.
My opinion:
Wheeler and Buff get A's until the end of the season.
Next season, Wheeler C, Buff A, Scheifele A
I have no idea what goes on in the dressing room, but Wheels is definitely a good spokesman for the media, and seems to lead on the ice. Begin the transition to the new core by giving Scheif an A, as suggested above.
Two thoughts:
1. This season has been a disaster already, and it's not going to get any better down the stretch. If Wheeler is going to be the captain, why get his captaincy get off to a bad start like that? Let him get a fresh start in the 2016-2017 season.
2. For all the talk of Ladd maybe re-signing as a UFA, if Chicago goes on a deep run and Ladd is an active part of it it does nothing but increase his value.He'll be able to dictate his contract terms and someone will offer it to him.
Listening to Lowry's interview about Dano today, I must say he's definitely gonna be an A or C one day. He is a great interviewer, talks well and seems extremely smart on what to say.
I still Vote Wheeler for C, next year though.
I see it much differently. Scheif handles himself like a natural leader at all times. Trouba is more like your teenager that will take the easiest path possible. That's not the guy you want as captain. If I could I'd make Trouba spend a summer with Scheif and tell him to do everything Mark does to prepare for the season. We might then actually see Trouba start reaching his potential.
I agree with the now part of the OP. Enough treating this captaincy like its a sainthood. The players get the business aspect of the game. If someone is traded you move on the same day.
Ladd was traded at 6:45pm on Thursday...Maurice should of looked around the room once and announced Wheeler the captain at 6:46pm on Thursday
Besides being named Dub MVP he was also Scholastic Player of the Year in junior.
Ladd didn't give much of a crap to stay here.... the last meaningful contract negotiations were in December. And that's from the media directly from the parties involved.
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Makes sense.
Sure is a lot of hate for Lowry here.