Penguins Captain Controversy
Michel Therrien's announcement that the Penguins would not name a captain this season seems to have hit a nerve around the hockey world. Everyone seems to think that this is the worst thing that the team could have done and that it means certain doom! I for one do not see the big deal. Though it is unconventional and has been done with mixed results in the past, it could work. The team didn't have a captain for a big chunk of last season and actually had their most successful portion of the year. Everyone knows that this is Sidney Crosby's team and it will be for the foreseeable future. He will be one of the players wearing an "A" and will serve as a leader for this team. Sidney, who was accused of yapping at the refs a bit too often, really got himself in check after he was given his "A" last season and it is very evident that he has matured well beyond his years. Sidney will be very vocal in the locker room and on the ice.
The team also has several other worthy candidates to sport the "A" this season: John LeClair, Mark Recchi and Sergei Gonchar just to name a few. The most likely scenario will probably see Recchi and LeClair each getting an "A" stiched to their jerseys. This could be very positive, in that it would bring Crosby and Recchi together and would dispel any doubts about their relationship. Both say that the problems from a year ago are water under the bridge, and watching the two interact during training camp, I believe it.
These players are all class acts and will work together to see that the team is on track and clearly understands the goals outlined by the coaching staff.
I have heard several examples of this scenario failing in the past, but there is one big positive. Though they didn't go with all alternates, last year's Buffalo Sabres had a shared captaincy, which isn't radically different and look at the success that they had.
I am not sure that it is necessary to do this as a nod to Mario Lemieux, but it could work out just fine for the Penguins. General Manager, Ray Shero, left the door open for possibly naming a Captain down the line and will do so if this doesn't work out. So, let's give it a chance.
The team also has several other worthy candidates to sport the "A" this season: John LeClair, Mark Recchi and Sergei Gonchar just to name a few. The most likely scenario will probably see Recchi and LeClair each getting an "A" stiched to their jerseys. This could be very positive, in that it would bring Crosby and Recchi together and would dispel any doubts about their relationship. Both say that the problems from a year ago are water under the bridge, and watching the two interact during training camp, I believe it.
These players are all class acts and will work together to see that the team is on track and clearly understands the goals outlined by the coaching staff.
I have heard several examples of this scenario failing in the past, but there is one big positive. Though they didn't go with all alternates, last year's Buffalo Sabres had a shared captaincy, which isn't radically different and look at the success that they had.
I am not sure that it is necessary to do this as a nod to Mario Lemieux, but it could work out just fine for the Penguins. General Manager, Ray Shero, left the door open for possibly naming a Captain down the line and will do so if this doesn't work out. So, let's give it a chance.
posted by Bmetzer66 at 3:38 PM
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