I think Giordano's story has yet to be written. I'm going with Lowry. He was a terrific captain through a couple of dark seasons. I actually voted for him by mistake last round!
__________________ I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
Much tougher choice now that the obvious top 2 are gone. It seems obvious that Gio is going to win, but I actually went with Phil Russell for his leadership on that 1980-81 team that upset the heavily favoured Flyers to get to the semis. I was SOOOOOO pumped that spring. I know he won't win, though. Most voters were probably not even born back then.
Much tougher choice now that the obvious top 2 are gone. It seems obvious that Gio is going to win, but I actually went with Phil Russell for his leadership on that 1980-81 team that upset the heavily favoured Flyers to get to the semis. I was SOOOOOO pumped that spring. I know he won't win, though. Most voters were probably not even born back then.
Gio's going to win, and well she should, but I'm digging your rationale. I'll join you with a vote for Russell.
I wonder if Steve Smith gets a single vote in all 10 rounds of voting
I didn't vote Gio since I also think his story is yet to be written. In fact, I would have preferred the poll to exclude him altogether and we vote on best past captains.
Gio's going to win, and well she should, but I'm digging your rationale. I'll join you with a vote for Russell.
Gio is an excellent captain. I hope he continues to build a lasting championship caliber legacy like Lanny and Iggy, but he's not there yet. That being said, nobody else on the current list is there either. The '81 run was very comparable to last spring, IMO.
I wonder if Steve Smith gets a single vote in all 10 rounds of voting
I didn't vote Gio since I also think his story is yet to be written. In fact, I would have preferred the poll to exclude him altogether and we vote on best past captains.
Phil Russell for nostalgia sake and some fond memories from the 81 team. Really could not tell you how much of a leader he was at that time.
Gio is a great captain and has earned the praise but I could not bring myself to vote for a player who has yet to wear the C for a playoff game.
I don't think that is really fair for Gio. I think him being in the room and even practicing later in the playoffs shows lots of leadership. I am sure each and every player saw how hard he was working to try and get back to the team.
I don't think that is really fair for Gio. I think him being in the room and even practicing later in the playoffs shows lots of leadership. I am sure each and every player saw how hard he was working to try and get back to the team.
Fair enough, which makes it hard to assess the quality of a captain. It is still a fact he has only played 4 playoff games, and none as captain. I guess to get my vote as an all time great captain, on ice leadership during the playoffs is a must.
Personally, I don't think Gio has been the captain long enough to get voted this high (although, he should probably still be pretty high, considering the competition).
I voted for Pepper. He was never the Flames best player but was one of the leaders for most of his career. He was the captain almost as long as Lanny. Also, he has been a big part of the city and the team alumni ever since he retired.
Plus, how many people can say they were able to stand at centre ice of the Montreal Forum and raise the Stanley Cup while in their underwear? (BTW... Two. The answer is, two people can say that).
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I went with Gio, but I gotta give some love to Conroy as well.
Recognizing it was time to pass it on to Iginla and offering it to him is the mark of everything a true captain is supposed to be: someone who puts the team and everyone else on it before himself.
I went with Tim Hunter - a rather unpopular choice. This videos can help to illustrate why I think so:
1) "The Edmonton Oilers always have an extra man on the ice anytime there is an altercation. As soon as there looks like an altercation, they bring an extra man. They've been doing it for years and they always get away with it."
2) Dave Semenko - dirtiest SOB.
Here is a knee at 00:40
Suckerpunch and kick:
This is what the Flames were up against. The league basically kept allowing things like this to happen. Anti-fighting crowd or not, this happened in hockey. Oilers used this to their advantage. Whenever the Flames got some momentum, out came Semenko and company to beat the Flames down physically.
Without Hunter, I don't think the Flames would have ever had the confidence out on the ice to actually beat them.
I think the rest of the Flames' physical forwards - Pepper, Otto, etc., looked to Hunter. Peplinski was quite a gamer too - he would rarely back down, but he was never a true heavyweight. Hunter came in and instantly changed the dynamic on the team, and finally put an end to the Oilers' dominance.
On top of this, Hunter was a bit of a maverick. IIRC, he was continually one of the fittest Flames. While others would wait for training camp to get into condition, Hunter showed up incredibly fit. I believe only Suter would come to camp (and I am not sure if he did this every time) actually fit. I think it started showing the way for the other players - especially the young guys coming up - what needed to be done in order to stick with the team.
Hunter's courage paved the way for the Flames IMO. I truly believed he often led the Flames in those Battle of Albertas in every sense of the word. I think the rest of team followed Hunter (and Pepper) in every one of those games, much before he was ever captain. I don't think there has ever been a time that a 'goon' has had this much of an effect on a team - even McGrattan's effect 2 years ago is still not comparable (and I think McGrattan was very instrumental in the Flames' culture change).
I think Lanny, Hunter and Pepper were all very, very huge leaders on those 80's era team. Hunter was the absolute warrior rallying the troops, and giving them the confidence to face what I considered the dirtiest and most pugilistic team in the NHL. Teams with McSorely, Brown, Semenko... Hunter went a long ways in ensuring the Flames were ready for those battles.
To this day, I still say that the Flames would not have been a confident enough bunch without Hunter. Lanny led them in the dressing room (with Pepper). Hunter led them on the ice on many nights. I think they would have come together as that great team without Hunter leading the charge, and defending his teammates in an era of hockey that absolutely needed defending from, and showed them why it is so important to take good care of yourself off the ice so you can make an impact on it.
I don't think he will get much in the way of votes with Giordano (who I don't think is undeserving at all of #3 at all either), McCrimmon, and some others. Pepper is my co-favorite. From what I remember hearing, Pepper was very vocal in the room, and was an absolute warrior on the ice as well. Probably my next choice - though I may be picking Hunter for the next 'x' amount of rounds I think.
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Countdown Poll - Flames captains Rd3
