Examining options for NHL's 7 captain vacancies
Seven NHL teams now find themselves without an official leader following the departures of Alex Pietrangelo from St. Louis and Mikko Koivu from Minnesota. With a high number of captain vacancies throughout the league, let's take a look at some of the top candidates for each opening.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators expressed their utmost confidence in Thomas Chabot by inking the then-22-year-old to a massive eight-year, $64-million extension in 2019. He figures to be a big part of Ottawa's bright future as one of the league's highest-paid blue-liners. It would make sense to put him at the forefront of the Senators' resurgence.
On the other hand, Ottawa turned some heads by taking Brady Tkachuk fourth overall in 2018. Tkachuk has already surpassed expectations by breathing new life into the Senators' lineup as the team's premier forward. The 21-year-old's evident heart and dedication make him a great choice to captain Ottawa for years to come.
New Jersey Devils
Nico Hischier seems destined to be the team's captain at some point, but he may have to wait to get the "C" stitched onto his jersey. He's still just 21 years old, so it's possible New Jersey would like to see Hischier mature first before putting that kind of pressure on him.
In order to give Hischier time to develop, the team could make veteran Travis Zajac the captain. The 35-year-old - who has just one season remaining on his current deal - has spent his entire 14-year career with the Devils. Giving him the captaincy would be a nice nod to Zajac's devotion to the club before it passes the torch to the future of the franchise.
New York Rangers
The Rangers have been without a captain since Ryan McDonagh's departure in 2018, but they have a number of good candidates to succeed him. Chris Kreider is a career Ranger who recently inked a seven-year pact. He could inspire the team as a respected veteran who wears his heart on his sleeve.
However, Mika Zibanejad seems destined to become New York's captain. He's one of the Rangers' top players, he's a fan favorite, and he's showcased his ability to step up in critical situations. Zibanejad has all the makings of a great captain in the Big Apple.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues may not rush to name a captain for next season following Pietrangelo's departure. There are plenty of viable players that are ready to step in and fill the spot, including veteran Brayden Schenn. The 29-year-old is signed through 2027-28 and has been vital for the team throughout his career.
The player that many are pegging to be St. Louis' next captain, though, is Ryan O'Reilly. He's shown an improved attitude and a clear resurgence in play over the past two seasons since the Blues acquired him from the Buffalo Sabres. O'Reilly - who won the Conn Smythe Trophy after helping the Blues capture the Cup in his first season with the club - has all the qualities of a leader.
Detroit Red Wings
It's clear both Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha are set to spearhead a new era in Detroit. After a complete overhaul that's resulted in a ton of young talent, the Red Wings will need either Larkin or Mantha to guide the way.
However, all signs point to Larkin assuming that role. The Michigan native sported an "A" this past season, and he's Detroit's offensive focal point. The 24-year-old will be needed in the locker room to get his young teammates going.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights' choices to be their captain are plentiful. Do they go with a Day 1 player? How about a past captain like Max Pacioretty, who's already spent two seasons with the team?
Mark Stone seems to make the most sense. He's arguably been Vegas' best player since arriving at the 2018-19 trade deadline, and he cemented himself with the team by immediately inking a monster eight-year, $76-million deal. Stone's an elite on-ice force who has previous leadership experience with the Ottawa Senators and Team Canada.
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota will be without Koivu - the first permanent captain in Wild history - for the first time since his NHL debut in 2005. There may not be a rush to replace him, but Minnesota has a number of savvy veterans to choose from. One of them is Ryan Suter. He's been a pillar on the team since he signed his gigantic 13-year, $98-million deal in 2012. His play may have declined since, but his presence and leadership are still a big part of his role.
Another player to keep an eye on is Jared Spurgeon. The 30-year-old - who's signed through 2026-27 - figures to be the team's premier defenseman for the foreseeable future. He's played with the Wild for his entire career, which helps his case - only five active NHL captains haven't played their entire career for their current club.