The Captain Discussion

[drewtastic]

Coming into last year, I was hoping Lucic would get the C for a season.

At this point, after all the dust has settled, I’m firmly on the Backlund train. Guy just bleeds Flames red.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by AC

Have the Flames had many players that played their entire lengthy careers only with the team? Peplinski comes to mind (all 711 NHL games as a Flame).

Backlund (826 GP) and Monahan (656 GP) are the current candidates to do so.

Loob only played 6 NHL seasons, but they were all with the Flames.

Those are the only 4 with at least 300 games played (Loob had 450). Andersson and Mangiapane will play their 300th games this season.

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

I don't think this team needs a captain while Sutter is behind the bench. When he moves on you can evaluate the personnel and make a decision on a captain as the new coach is ushered in. Could very well be Huberdeau at that point.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by drewtastic

At this point, after all the dust has settled, I’m firmly on the Backlund train. Guy just bleeds Flames red.

Few current Flames outwardly show their hatred for the Oilers and Canucks like Backlund does and has through the years.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Coleman

[Coach]

I’ll just paste from his solo thread I started. Some of the stats may have changed.

After a rocky start to his career, Backlund made an about-face in his mid-twenties to grow into one of the game's premier two-way forwards, leader of the Swedish international team, and quietly climbed the Flames all-time ranks, currently sitting at 8th in GP, 16th in PTS, and tied for 3rd for most full seasons at 13. You can imagine the names in his company on mostly made up of those we revere here. It's easy to forget we are watching one of the best ever Flames in his prime.

Just want to say I'm thankful for his passion for this city and this team, his hatred of our rivals, and for his perseverance that has lead to him being one of the team's most important core pieces. As a defenseman at heart, I've always had a big appreciation for forwards like him. Hope he's in the C forever.

Maybe one day his moustache will fill out.

Captain material. I don’t see how anyone suggesting a new player who doesn’t know the team or the coach should become captain just by virtue of being the best player now could have ever played a team sport. Some people say it doesn’t matter just symbolic blah blah, but then expect the player who wears it to be something more than the rest. It matters for sure. Not to everyone but to some, and especially to the guys who are wearing them. I think giving Backlund the C might give him a late career boost ala Giordano.

[Scornfire]

Backlund definitely is and has been the most engaged player in any game vs our rivals over the last decade. Almost nobody else seems to consistently give a #### tbh

[robertsfanatic]

i interpreted the question as who should be captain this year and i voted nobody.

but if i absolutely had to pick someone then Backlund is the guy.

[Jetfire]

You know, I voted Huberdeau when the poll opened, but I'm on the Backlund train now too. Always thought he'd be a good option, but just Huberdeau will be the face of the franchise for the next decade and all so I went there initially. Backlund is just a great Flame though, with a genuine, burning hatred for the Oilers and Canucks and has given the team so many great years, he'd be an excellent choice as captain for a few years.

[Mr.Coffee]

I like Backlund but not sure he should be captain. He can be a bit lazy sometimes.

[GS Skier]

Backlund because he's earned it.

Also it'll p$ss off that WW guy at Flamesnation who's already upset that his "Byng" is gone!

[Flame On]

I voted Backlund. I think he's one of those mild mannered players, where I prefer a bit more fire and brimstone but he certainly deserves it.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

i interpreted the question as who should be captain this year and i voted nobody.

but if i absolutely had to pick someone then Backlund is the guy.

Same. I don't think choosing a captain is a must, especially for the start of the season. If it were, Backlund would be my choice based on everything he has shown over the years.

If they start with no captain but at mid-season Huberdeau looks like a fit, I'm also good with that. Can't make that call now though.

[Coach]

I would agree going with no captain isn't the outlier some think it is, and really not a big deal IMO. Better than slapping it on the new guy for turning up the music.

Teenagers with little to no NHL experience.
Players who havent played a game for the team.
Goalies.

All scenarios worse than 4 As.

[RyZ]

I dont think we have a great candidate for permanent captain going into this season.

Im not into giving it to a Ken Daneyko, Ethan Moreau, Derek McKenzie or Mikeal Backlund type just because they are veteran players and long serving members of the team. Your captain should be a league wide respected star level player, which almost every team has at least one of on the roster.

Give Huberdeau a season to see how things fall into place and then give it to him next off season if he wants it.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Why does your captain have to be star level player? I agree that they should be someone that plays regularly, which Backlund does. But why must they need to be a star?

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Why does your captain have to be star level player? I agree that they should be someone that plays regularly, which Backlund does. But why must they need to be a star?

I could very well be wrong, but my immediate thinking is that for every elite team with a down roster, veteran player as captain, I can probably find you 5-10 elite teams with elite stars as captain.

My memory isnt great, but I cant remember the last time a team won a cup with a Bryce Salvador wearing the C.

There just isnt a great precedent for success there.

[DeluxeMoustache]

^ You don’t even have to look farther than teams under this coach to find 2 time cup winner and captain Dustin Brown

[Coach]

Backlund isn’t a down roster player. He is an integral part of the teams success.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by RyZ

I could very well be wrong, but my immediate thinking is that for every elite team with a down roster, veteran player as captain, I can probably find you 5-10 elite teams with elite stars as captain.

My memory isnt great, but I cant remember the last time a team won a cup with a Bryce Salvador wearing the C.

There just isnt a great precedent for success there.

Bryce Salvador?
Your opinion of Backlund seems to be quite low.