Toronto Maple Leafs: Re-Evaluating the NHL's Choice of Captains

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SAN JOSE, CA – JANUARY 26: Auston Matthews #34 and John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Boston Bruins

Actual Captain: Zdeno Chara

Right Captain: Patrice Bergeron

There’s no more deserving player to be captain that isn’t one in the NHL. The only reason he’s not is because his team has Chara, who is the definition of a leader. Although Chara will be the captain for the Bruins until he retires, Bergeron deserves the “C” before his career is finished.

Buffalo Sabres

Actual Captain: Jack Eichel

Right Captain: Jack Eichel

When you think of the Sabres, you think of Eichel. Although his team hasn’t been successful during his tenure in Buffalo, the only way the team will ever make it back to the playoffs will be on Eichel’s back.

Detroit Red Wings

Actual Captain: Vacant

Right Captain: Dylan Larkin

I would have assumed that Larkin was already the Red Wings’ captain but since Henrik Zetterberg retired, the team’s captaincy has been vacant. Since 1986, the team has only named three captains, so it makes sense that they’re taking their time to name one, but Larkin is the next logical choice and he’s “ready for it.”

Florida Panthers

Actual Captain: Aleksander Barkov

Right Captain: Aleksander Barkov

For a few seasons, Barkov was the most underrated player in the NHL, but now that everyone thinks that way, does that mean he’s overrated? Either way, this quote exemplifies perfectly why Barkov is the right captain for the Panthers.

"“He has all of the qualities of a great leader: unrivaled work ethic, wisdom beyond his years and the respect and admiration of his teammates. Aleksander’s determination and passion for the game have made him one of the NHL’s best and most complete players. The time was right for Aleksander to be named the captain of this franchise and I’m certain that he will bring the same high standard of class and dedication to the captaincy that he brings to the rink every single day.”"

Montreal Canadiens

Actual Captain: Shea Weber

Right Captain: Shea Weber

As a former captain in Nashville, Weber was and is the perfect captain in Montreal. He’s a leader on-and-off the ice and was even recognized by the NHL winning the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2016.

Ottawa Senators

Actual Captain: Vacant

Right Captain: Brady Tkachuk

For the same reasons we want Matthew Tkachuk to become the captain for Calgary, his brother Brady should be the next captain of the Senators. Leadership is in his blood and for an inexperienced Ottawa team, they need a young leader who can be the face of the franchise for the next decade.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Actual Captain: Steven Stamkos

Right Captain: Steven Stamkos

Stamkos has battled a number of injuries in his career but always comes back stronger than before. A two-time Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy winner, Stamkos is Tampa Bay’s leader in career goals and in a few seasons will be the all-time points leader as well. Having already reached a Stanley Cup Final, you know that Stamkos will give everything he has to get his team a championship before he retires.