7 top candidates for NHL's vacant captaincies

Heading into the 2016-17 season, no fewer than seven of the NHL's 30 teams are in search of new captains.

Here's a look at the top candidates to fill each role.

Carolina Hurricanes - Jordan Staal

Who better to take up the mantle from the departed Eric Staal than brother Jordan Staal?

The 27-year-old center is under contract with the Carolina Hurricanes until the end of the 2022-23 season, and brings a wealth of experience to the emerging club as a Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2009).

If all goes according to general manager Ron Francis' plan, Jordan could be the second Staal to accept the Cup from the commissioner.

Edmonton Oilers - Connor McDavid

Already one of the most talented players in the game, Connor McDavid would become the youngest captain in NHL history.

The 19-year-old was already credited as being the leader of the Edmonton Oilers by the since-traded Taylor Hall, and at this time next summer, he could have one of the longest and biggest contracts in hockey history.

McDavid may be young, but he's a special breed of hockey player, and will likely handle anything tossed at him with ease for years to come.

Florida Panthers - Aaron Ekblad

The Florida Panthers boast a bevy of young talent complemented by savvy veterans, but make no mistake - this emerging powerhouse is built around cornerstone defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

Set to become the team's highest-paid player when his eight-year, $60-million contract extension kicks in at the beginning of 2017-18, the 20-year-old has already displayed a maturity well beyond his years both on and off the ice.

He'll have plenty of help in the locker room, but the Panthers are Ekblad's team for the foreseeable future, and the "C" should be his to reflect that.

Nashville Predators - P.K. Subban

This vacancy came up rather unexpectedly after longtime captain Shea Weber was dealt to the Montreal Canadiens for P.K. Subban.

The 27-year-old defenseman became the Predators' highest-paid player, and Nashville would be well-served by marketing Subban as the new face of the franchise.

Giving him the captaincy would be a clear signal of moving in a new and exciting direction.

St. Louis Blues - Alex Pietrangelo

David Backes shipped up to Boston, meaning Ken Hitchcock and Mike Yeo must decide on whom to place the "C" moving forward.

Hitchcock clearly doesn't see leadership potential in the team's best player, namely Vladimir Tarasenko, meaning the steady presence of defenseman Alex Pietrangelo is probably the safer bet.

Veteran Jay Bouwmeester, however, could be a dark horse candidate here.

Toronto Maple Leafs - Auston Matthews (2017)

The Toronto Maple Leafs remain in rebuild mode, and head coach Mike Babcock has already said he's in no rush to name a new captain after Dion Phaneuf was traded to Ottawa last season.

The head coach did cite players like Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly as emerging leaders, but 2016 first overall draft pick Auston Matthews is the player whom this team will be built around moving forward.

As such, he's the top candidate to be named the next captain of the Maple Leafs, but probably not until 2017-18.

Winnipeg Jets - Blake Wheeler

A longtime assistant while Andrew Ladd held down the captaincy, 29-year-old Blake Wheeler is already viewed as a leader for the Winnipeg Jets, both as the team's highest scorer and in terms of work ethic off the ice.

Dustin Byfuglien and Mark Scheifele serve as worthy choices, but the former is somewhat polarizing while the latter is still rather young.

Wheeler has already said he'd be honored to wear the "C," and that his mindset won't change either way.

"Regardless of what letter I have on my jersey, my role on the team and who I am with the team is not going to change," Wheeler told Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press. "I think last year was a big growing year for me, with (my) foot on the gas the whole time."

That kind of example is exactly what a captain should bring to the table.