This wasn’t supposed to be a storyline for the Montreal Canadiens this summer, but then again very little of what has gone on in Montreal the last couple of days was anticipated. It seemed all along like Brian Gionta, the 29th Captain in Canadiens history, would re-sign with the team for at least the next year. Even if that wasn’t the case, for many the Captain in waiting was an obvious choice: Josh Gorges.
But all of the sudden both Plan A and Plan B have been thrown out the window in favour of a new, unexpected change of plan. Gionta and Gorges are now both members of the Buffalo Sabres, the former via free agency and the latter as a result of an unexpected trade.
All of the sudden, the Canadiens are without a Captain, and also without an obvious replacement. This will begin a debate about who should become the 29th captain of the Montreal Canadiens that is incredibly intriguing.
Montreal Canadiens Next Captain
The premier option in this debate is already semi-eliminated based on a technicality: Andrei Markov has reportedly been offered and turned down the Captaincy before. It is likely this series of events will happen once again, the Canadiens doing so out of respect and Markov declining which is ultimately the right move for the soft spoken Russian.
Next in line is veteran centre Tomas Plekanec, another player who has been a crucial part of this Canadiens team for several years. In fact it is Plekanec who has been anointed by Gionta as the player who he thinks should be his replacement. The only obvious issue with Plekanec’s appointment as Captain is the fact that he might not be in the team’s longterm plans. The team eventually wants to move Alex Galchenyuk to centre, and Plekanec has always seemed like the odd man out in this equation.
Another thing that both Gionta and GM Marc Bergevin outlined is the fact that there are plenty of young leaders on this team. This was a reason that management was confident with moving out some of the team’s most recognizable leadership. Max Pacioretty is one of those young players who will be in the conversation because of the length of time he has spent in the dressing room. But at this point in his career, it is probably for the best that Montreal simply allow Pacioretty to do what he does best: score the majority of the team’s goals.
Then there is the option that has been quietly whispered about for years, never too loud for fear of alarming hockey’s old boys club: P.K. Subban as captain of the Montreal Canadiens. Subban is outgoing, a huge presence in the room, the city and even more so on the ice. But just like Pacioretty, the timing is not currently right. Will Subban eventually be an NHL Captain? Most likely. But right now, just like Pacioretty, it would be a counterproductive distraction.
Rounding out the collection of potential young captains is one who is somewhat off the board, but still a very viable option. That is Brendan Gallagher, a player who has literally done an apprenticeship under Josh Gorges. Age is not a factor in this, as Gallagher is wise and mature beyond his years, and is likely the best option out of the three young stars and is the dark horse to take the “C”.
There are also some less favourable options to be considered, but hopefully not pursued. The first would be to make Carey Price captain. While Price is undoubtedly a huge part of the team’s leadership and a class act, he is already under the most scrutiny of any player on the team. It didn’t work for Roberto Luongo in Vancouver and it is unlikely to work in Montreal.
The other is to not name a Captain at all, and go with alternating assistants as has been the case in other markets. But ultimately, this is a move usually reserved for teams who lack direction and that is certainly not the case in Montreal at the moment. As the team returns to contend status there is an absolute need for a face and voice of the franchise.
The conclusion to this is that Markov should be asked first, and when he (likely) declines Plekanec will become the captain. As a player who has been one of the most consistent and positive performers for the Canadiens for several years it only makes sense that he dawn the “C” in 2014-15. Even if it is only for a single season it is the best option the Canadiens have at this time.
I predict that Tomas Plekanec will become the 29th captain of the storied Montreal Canadiens and the franchise will continue their march forward.
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