Who should the Flames next captain be

[Igottago]

I think it will be Tkachuck. Despite showing some immaturity last season I think he will learn and he has all the tools to emerge as the leader on the team. Also I think the captain should be one of the star core players who gets it done on the ice -- Lucic is a great guy and had a good season as a support player but he's not relied on to go out there and score you the big goal or make the big play when the game is on the line.

All due respect to Gio but this team needs a different kind of leader this time around, I think someone who has a bit of swagger and a chip on their shoulder, if he harnesses it the right way, could be a significant culture change to a team that desperately needs it. The community stuff is great but let's face it, every captain in the NHL does stuff in the community, I'm sure whoever wears the next C will be good in that way. But what I'm really interested in is to see the guy that can drag the team to battle on the ice. For me, if he's going to be here long term, that's Tkachuck.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Right. Did you watch the games?

Are you trying to tell me with a straight face that he gave his best effort last season after the puck flip indecent?

Everybody and their dog could see that something was off with him, it was as plain as the nose on your face

Of course he has the skill to put up numbers, that’s why he is the highest paid player on the team. We should be looking for a 70-80 point pace, not 60ish

Were you truly satisfied with his play last year?

He was not putting forth his best effort, it was obvious.

And maybe I do consider that an indicator of his character.

The guy had just watched the rest of his teammate's bail on him and laugh it off. Would it have shown more character to rise above it and move on? Sure. But I definitely do see his side of it.

What we saw last year was interesting. A coach in over his head, and a roster that mostly didn't give a crap. Tkachuk was always the one guy that would still give 110% but after that, he stooped down to everyone else's level. That was absolutely disappointing to see, but it was still just one year. (Just over half of a year, really) That doesn't erase everything else he has done.

Don't give him the C yet, give him a season to prove that he's learned from that. Given the way we lost Giordano, it doesn't feel right to give someone else the C right away anyway. I'm not a fan of having a short-term Captain, as much as I love guys like Tanev and Lucic, they're likely only here for 3 and 2 more years respectively anyway. I'm also not a fan of your captain being outside of your core star players, so sadly I think that counts Backlund out as well. Run with Backs, Tkachuk and Monahan as A's this year then see what happens. But if he goes back to the Tkachuk we know and love, that's a captain that drags everyone else into battle with him every night and forges a new identity for the team.