New Captain in San Jose, What about Carolina?
by Bob Wage on Aug 18, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
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Greg Wyshynski posted an interesting article last night at the Puck Daddy Blog mentioning that San Jose center Patrick Marleau was having his captaincy taken away. When Sharks coach Todd McLellan was recently asked who would be the team's captain he replied, "right now the team does not have a captain." Apparently the coach will make that decision at training camp.
Marleau has been criticized heavily because of the Sharks playoffs woes in recent years. Still, the team leader had 38 goals and 33 assists during the previous regular season. He had two more goals in just six playoff games.
If Marleau is getting the boot in San Jose, some fans might think that Rod Brind'Amour could be a candidate for the same thing here in Carolina.
During the past two seasons, Carolina's captain has been hampered by injuries and his production has dropped accordingly. He scored 16 goals and had 35 assists in 80 games last season and only had one goal and three assists in 18 playoff games. Perhaps even more importantly, he had a league worst -30 at one time before improving to -23 at year end. At 39 years of age, his best years are probably behind him.
But is any of that relevant? Do the stats really matter? Brind'Amour has always been an inspirational leader, even if he hasn't led the team in points.
The Carolina dressing room is filled with leaders, including Ray Whitney, Eric Staal, Scott Walker, and Tim Gleason. Each of them could be captains in their own right and do not seem to need to have the "C" on their chests in order for them to take an active leadership role.
One more very important thing. Brind'Amour has led his team to a Stanley Cup Championship, while Marleau has not.
What do you think? Should Rod Brind'Amour keep the captaincy, or is it time for new blood?
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I am out of town this week but will still be checking in from time to time. If it takes me longer than normal to answer an email, please bear with me.
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Finally, Matt Cullen's "Cully's Kids" foundation was the topic of a feature story at the NHLPA site yesterday. It's the fifth anniversary for his very special charity.
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The "C"
For as long as Rod B plays for Carolina, he has earned the right to wear the C for this franchise. Two trips to the Cup finals, three Eastern Conference finals and one championship all reflect the leadership he has provided for this team.
His work ethic sets the standard for the entire group. Just as important, Rod exhibits professional behavior in the clubhouse. The ’Canes have proven to be a remarkably cohesive, “drama free” team. Some of the credit for this has to go to the leadership of the Captain.
Absolutely.
Leadership is something that never slumps, even when play does.
My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 24, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Disagree there my friend. Rod not only didn’t earn his check last year he lost his right to hold the C. A third/4th line center doen’t wear a C. Staal needs to step up, he’s the money man. It’s time for a change. That said, I also think Rod has an outside chance of comin g back. If he can’t get back to good form he’s not the C man. Rod has always led by example, last year he failed.
A
Where you play in the lineup has nothing to do with the captaincy, IMO.
by Cory Lavalette on Aug 18, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Scott Walker once wore the C in Nashville…. and I don’t know that he has ever been a top-three forward… (although if you took a poll most people would think that he is worthy of at least an A on his sweater)
If nothing else… The way Rod Brind’Amour handled the adversity he faced this past season is all the more reason why he SHOULD remain as team captain…. He is a leader and probably the most respected guy in the locker room….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Aug 18, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Walker was an interim captain for a couple weeks.
But he was a long-standing alternate there, and he also was an alternate for Team Canada at worlds once. He actually was also Nashville’s second-leading forward in TOI as recently as ‘03-’04. I’m totally on the same page with you about Roderick.
My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 24, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Steve Konowalchuk was the Captain for Washington a few years back. He was an average third line center. Jagr, Bondra, Kolzig, no, it went to a hard working Leader. Steve Y was Detroit’s Captain when he was past his prime. etc etc etc.
by drifterscape on Aug 18, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Stevie Y is a great example. I think we are seeing part two here with rod. I think JR thinks or at least has doubts, case in point Yelle. I also think all you have the wrong grammer, Rod and “IS” a great player is not correct, it’s “WAS”. I don’t see him bouncing back. As for leading, he was never a “Great Leader” he was a great hockey player. He led by example, all the players I have talked to have said he doesn’t say squat, he’s just a work out machine that knows the business and the game. The Captain represents the teams identity, if you want “lost a step” as your identity, then fine. I’d rather see Staal step up and earn his check and throw some killer numbers. Like Stevie Y didn’t learn, it’s time to step aside even if you can still use your hall of fame career to get a spot on the roster. I think the rose colored glass end wall are clouding your judgement. BTW drifter, Kolzig suffers from being a goalie, they almost never get a C, Jagr is a POS and nobodt with an IG in positive numbers would let him wear a C, thast’s why he’s gone. So not real good examples, though that’s the only other third line guy that’swore the c. How long did he?
Look the point is if Rod’s fading down the stretch of his career, it’s time to take the team to the next step. They will never bench him or trade him so as long as he wants to play he will. I don’t think he is the choice for the C anymore. I think it’s time Saals nut’s dropped and stepped into the big role he is apparently destined for.
I love Rod, have spoken with him a few times, he’s like a non smoking hippy in a good way. Real laid back, quite and polite, but very cool and down to Earth. I think he is a great guy that had a great career. I’d like to see him pony up and pass the C off like Stevie Y did to Nik, just not make us suffer through the pain of watching him learn over and over that he ain’t the player he once was. It’s way easier in the off season, it’s distracting during the 80+ battles. I reckon he get’s another year and I bet it goes like Stevie Y’s last couple.
A
I totally agree that it would be great if he voluntarily passed the “C” to Staal. I also regretfully agree that the old Rod ain’t comin’back. And the old Rod was never the player Staal is. I was only trying to point out that it does happen that 3rd liners can be C’s. I’m not a “my Captain” hero-worshipping type. When it’s time, it’s time.
by drifterscape on Aug 19, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
If the old Rod "ain't comin' back..."
What was that mirage we saw out of him during the stretch run that got us into and solidified our position for the playoffs?
My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 24, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
So having a Captain who still puts in the hard work it takes to succeed even if his career is fading is a bad example?
You’d think seeing Roddy B still working hard every day would send the message even more loud and clear. You have to work to succeed.
by Iggy Reilly on Aug 21, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Did you see him in the Pete Friesen video Bubba posted yesterday (From ABC-TV 11)? Roddy, Chad and Eric – all working VERY hard, all giving110%.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Aug 21, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes.
Didn’t Chad credit Brindy for a lot of his success this past year?
My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 24, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
You "don't see him bouncing back?"
He already did. He scored 20 points and was a +7 over the last two months of last season (18 games.) Konowalchuk was a captain for two years (although he shared the position with Brendan Witt one of those years.) Further, if you’d like to see some examples of relatively average players getting captaincies over their teams’ stars:
ANA: Rob Niedermayer, ahead of much better current players like Pronger, his brother, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan, and Teemu Selanne
BUF: Craig Rivet, ahead of Spacek, Lydman, Roy, Pominville, Connolly, Vanek, and Stafford
EDM: Ethan Moreau, ahead of Souray, Horcoff, Hemske, Gagner, Penner
So there are multiple examples of leadership not being defined by scoring or TOI.
Furter, there is no finite difference the capacity of a person to provide leadership whether they have a relatively arbitrary letter on their jersey or not. Staal’s “nut’s (sic)” can “drop” regardless of his position. The team does look to him, but he’s going to defer to a veteran like Brind’Amour either way. Oh, and if his last two years can match Yzermans (a 45+ point a year player who can play well into the +/- black), I think I’ll take it.
My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 24, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Depends what kind of example you're talking about.
He was in incredible shape, as always. He got hurt, as is rare for him. He came back (perhaps too soon) and played through pain to ensure his presence for the team on the ice. To me, I’d rather somebody lead by example on the bench and on the ice than by sitting out a month or two because he’s not 100%.
My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 24, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Rod deserves at least one more year.
I’d like to say because of what he’s done for this team he deserves it until he retires, but most captain’s do not lead the league in negative plus/minus. He’s just getting old and he needs to know when to pass the torch. But if he can bounce back to being a decently productive 3rd line center this year, then he can keep it. If he continues to decline or puts up numbers like last year, I think we need to change it up.
The most logical choice to be the new captain is Eric Staal, but even he has been relatively inconsistant with his scoring numbers over the last couple years and has only hit 100 points once. I’d like to see Staal be a bit more like the star we all know he can be, and if he can do that next year I think he deserves the C no matter what. Although if Eric continues to fall short of his potential, it would not bother me at all to see Ray Whitney don the C. Another interesting player not mentioned for captainship is Cam Ward. I don’t know how much of a leader he is in the dressing room, but he plays as integral a part in our teams success as anyone.
Wardo following in Luongo’s shoes with the virtual “C”?
Not to knock Wardo at all, but I’m not sure he has the locker-room presence that bobby-lou does – he was well recognized as their off-ice captain before he was given the virtual C. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think the same could be said for Ward.
by Andrea's evil twin on Aug 18, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
That is my impression as well.
He’s a nice guy and everybody likes him, but probably not the most fiery or inspirational leader.
My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 24, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Most captains could well have taken several months off.
Would Brind’Amour in a suit have really helped us more than he did on the ice and the bench? Also, if you’re complaining about the number of times a player has reached 100 points, you’re crazy. There are no more than a handful of players that reach that mark ever, much less on an anjual basis.
My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 24, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know much about Patrick Marleau, but I assume he has been captain for a few years based on your comment “Marleau has been criticized heavily because of the Sharks playoffs woes in recent years.” So you don’t remove the captain title for one bad year in my opinion. Brind’Amour has earned the right and I think he should continue. Besides who knows what goes inside the locker room or what is said by him outside the rink to his teammates. I know leading by example on the ice is also part of a leadership role, however, I don’t think his inconsistencies hurt the team last year to the point where they imploded enough to take away his captain title.
Yes.
He’s never been criticized for holding this team back based on a lack of leadership abilities as Marleau has.
My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 24, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Neither Dave Andreychuk nor Tim Taylor were top-six players in their respective terms as captain of the Lightning. Andreychuk might have been, but Taylor was certainly a 4th line center. I’m sure there are other examples of bottom-six players being captains. I can think of a few captains over the years who produced much smaller numbers than Brind’Amour even if I don’t know how much ice time they were getting.
Remember, Brind’Amour only has two seasons left on his contract, 09-10 and 10-11. Let’s see how he does in the upcoming season before we start talking about stripping him of the captaincy. And if they do decide to name another captain, they need to handle it in a way that is respectful of everything Brind’Amour has accomplished in his career and as a Hurricane. They shouldn’t “strip” him of the C, but perhaps “transition to a new leadership team” as the contracts of Brind’Amour (in 2011) and Whitney (in 2010) expire.
great topic
There may be other organizations where you would make the big change, but not the Canes. The franchise modus operandi is “loyalty to a fault”.
Rod has earned the C till he himself says he’s done. However, if he could lead on the ice with even half the impact he had in 06, it sure would be sweet.
The piece on Matt Cullen is good to see too. Another Cane we can be proud of.
45 days 9 hrs 48 min
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Aug 18, 2009 9:11 AM EDT reply actions
I’d like to see Brindy hand voluntarily give Staal the C. Either sometime this season or after this one. I say this because I think that Staal will be the next captain and it will be an easier transition if Brindy is still around to help with that process.
Next year, with the start of the youth infusion may be a good time for the captaincy to switch hands.
Isn’t he helping that process along by simply playing with him?
by Cory Lavalette on Aug 18, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I would definitely say that he his. And I’m not sure how much of an issue it will be this year. I think it might be good for the team if next year, as the young players start to come up to the NHL team, they started dealing with the guy who will be captain for years to come.
To me it’s a “Dread Pirate Roberts” situation (yes, from “The Princess Bride”). Next year the new crew comes on board. That’s probably the best time to bring in a new captain.
Rod is a team leader regardless of line or letters
But I would also enjoy seeing him pass the captaincy on in his last season, preferably after a good ‘09 campaign. Though I don’t know that Stall would be my choice. Maybe reward one of our consistent effort players, not necessarily the most skilled offensive player. Especially players they may want to keep over when their playing duties are over.
The Big C
This is soooooooo stupid!! Who can come up with a rational reason for changing the “C”?
Stats have nothing to do with leadership! Anybody who knows the Canes “modus operandi”, knows that this team has way too much class than to confuse performance with
being a leader. Just because SJ has no class, and would do anything to embarass their
captain so he’ll want to let them trade him (NTC), doesn’t mean the canes would! Even if
Rod’s poorer year, stats-wise, was caused by age (NO injury-related-only), this organization
wouldn’t dream of taking that kind of action! ……..in Rod we trust!!!
I say we let him decide when to give it up…
by Andrea's evil twin on Aug 18, 2009 1:45 PM EDT reply actions
You wanted Roddy benched all year: why the change of heart?
by CarolinaCanuck on Aug 18, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Over-35 club
NHL.com gave Roddy a nice mention this morning, naming him as center of hypothetical " All-star 2nd team" roster over-35 club.
Rod Brind’Amour, Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 39
Given Brind’Amour’s skill in the faceoff circle, he could probably hang around for years just taking draws — he led the NHL with a 61.0 percent success rate. But Carolina’s captain is still a capable No. 2 center, putting up 16 goals and 51 points for the Hurricanes — including a late-season spurt that helped them make the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Man – between Cory’s post with THN naming Staal so high in the Top 50, and this, I’m wondering who forgot the Canes are the Rodney Dangerfield of the NHL. We’re going to start getting big heads…..(naaah.) I’m much more familiar with lazy prognosticators making fun of the “eye”.
FWIW, for the forward lines, they named Teemu Selanne, also 39, to the first team with Kozlov (37) and Jason Blake (35). Second team , Rod was with Mike Modano (39), Keith Tkachuk (37). Bill Guerin (38), among others got an honorable mention.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Aug 18, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions
Don’t fear … leaving Whitney off this list is a snub ;)
by Cory Lavalette on Aug 18, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha! I can relax now
It sure was. Maybe they thought the Wiz was only 34. He plays like it. Wudda a stud.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Aug 18, 2009 5:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I could easily see Brind’Amour having a similar exit as Brett Hull’s after the lock-out: a few games into the season, he decides that he just doesn’t have it anymore, and calls it a career.
I’m not sure that “stripping” Brind’Amour of the captaincy is the right idea, but I would sure like him to step aside.
I doubt it.
Brind’Amour is proud, but he’s not dumb. He’ll know before a season starts whether he can do the things he knows he needs to.
My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 24, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely not
Rod has earned the right to wear the C for the rest of his time here. A captain is about much more than on-ice stats. He’s the character guy on a team full of character guys.
Still not a crook!
by TrickyD26 on Aug 18, 2009 3:22 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
This, a thousand times over.
My first argument against socialized healthcare? Yunel Escobar's grill.
by MichaelProcton on Aug 24, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Rod's earnt it for the rest of his career
Lets be realistic, even if he handed the ‘C’ to Staal tomorrow who would everyone still see as the locker room leader? Staal included, every player in that locker room looks up to Roddy for his tenacity, work ethic and class.
Taking the captaincy away from Brind’Amour in the twilight of his career would be a classless move that is completely uncharacteristic of our franchise. It simply wont happen.
by James Dator on Aug 19, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Roddy will be the Captain for as long as he wants it, end of story. I could see him passing on the C to Staal, but JR won’t strip him of it, that’s for damn sure.
by HNIC means hockey night in carolina on Aug 20, 2009 5:59 AM EDT reply actions
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