Veteran Leaders - Time to shuffle the "A"s?

[killer_carlson]

The failures of our leadership group deserves it's own thread.

I remain confident in our Captain, however I have no confidence in his veteran assistants.

This team lacks preparation and does out flat on a regular basis.

There are moments in certain games where the team has no cohesiveness and the game is in the balance. A big hit or a fight or even a strong shift can wake the team up. We've seen none of it.

We've tied up approximately $8 Million in cap hit for Stajan and Brouwer. This is in part because of the intangibles they bring. However the evidence is showing that there are no intangibles or if there is, that the message is falling flat.

Given our GM's weakness of not being able to maneuver without a deadline or event (draft day), a solution needs to be found that doesn't involve player movement.

Does removing the letters from Stajan and Brouwer not make sense? Better yet, does keeping them on Stajan or Brouwer make any sense? Can someone convince me Brouwer has earned it?

Who should they go to?

Backlund - that would be my vote
Bennett - not there
Tkachuk - too young
Johnny - doesn't seem to be his thing, but perhaps
Hamilton - too inconsistent
Brodie - same as Hamilton
Lazar - team captain in JRs but can't stay in the lineup
Hamonic - character in spades but hasn't been around long enough

There is an opportunity for some of our young core to take a leadership role.

[TheScorpion]

Captain - Giordano
Assistant - Monahan
Assistant - Backlund

Done.

[Brick]

My picks for Assistant Captain would be Backlund & Monahan.

[Jason14h]

It doesn't matter. This whole team has given up on the coach and his BS

[btimbit]

Gio
Backlund
Monahan


Easy

[Finger Cookin]

I think shuffling the captaincies would have absolutely no positive affect on the team's performance and would have a much more likely probability of being a distraction that impacts the team negatively.

[N-E-B]

Definitely has to be taken from Brouwer. I like the Backlund pick, but what about a guy like Matthew Tkachuk? He's got the personality and always plays his heart out. I think he'd be a good option as well.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

It doesn't matter. This whole team has given up on the coach and his BS

I'm close to agreement

[rhino]

Changing who has an A on their sweater does not change the leadership in the room. If you are a leader or motivator you just do it regardless. Real leaders make changes when things are not working, they do not keep trying to ram a square peg in a round hole. The coaches on this team are the leaders and they need to be accountable.

[Imported_Aussie]

Backlund needs a new contract before giving him a letter.

[Erick Estrada]

I don't think changing letters on jerseys is the answer to poor team defense.

[Resolute 14]

Shuffling the A's is really just a meaningless gesture. The leaders are the leaders, regardless of who wears the letters. All they really signify is who gets to speak to the officials.

[NiklasSundblad]

It also doesn't make sense to have a 4th liner wearing an A, it makes total sense For Backlund, who plays in all situations to have a letter, plus he's awesome.

[smiggy77]

lol..I didn't realize you were privy to what goes on behind close doors. Fans have zero ability to speak to who should be captains.

[bubbsy]

this organization is so stubborn, they have an unwillingness to try different d pairings, do you guys really think they'd be willing to change, what is traditionally a foundational framework of a team, the guys wearing the A's??

You can't strip a leadership letter off a player and keep him on the roster in my opinion. If a leadership player wearing the A is undeserving it typically is resolved by the player being removed from the team (trade, waive, buyout, etc).

in short, it ain't happening.

[Nsd1]

Stajan still gets an A? I thought it was Monahan and Brouwer full time.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Nsd1

Stajan still gets an A? I thought it was Monahan and Brouwer full time.

Stajan has never had an A.

[nixon45]

nm

[Strange Brew]

I believe its very difficult to assess the leadership of a team. I really have no clue.

But if people believe there is a leadership problem, why does Giordano get a pass?

[Nsd1]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Stajan has never had an A.

He wore one on the road last year but I think Monahan has it full time this year.