In search of a captain [poll inside]

I think Kyle will be the captain for years to come. He signed a 5 year contract, has outstanding leadership qualities, and is liked by all in the locker room. His dedication to this team and hard work ethic are admirable qualities that fit that of a captain’s. Although he is young and less experienced then some others, I think he will take the ropes and captain this team next year.

But the Isles are easy to read if you know how to read between the lines. KO is going to be the new captain. You don’t drag him out to Minnesota for no reason.

A, the man’s nickname is kyle harry potter okposo
B, because of the movies, not the books
C, i still remember him not backing up teammates after cheapshots (even if he did score a goal on one of the plays)

I’m the only one for Frans. He does everything else well; why not this?

My heart said JT…..but I went with my brain on this one.

His play, his outgoing nature, his Twitter feed, his hair.

But I voted Streit.

1. You want a guy who is going to be on the ice a lot. Streit, if healthy, will lead the team in TOI this year… no question.
2. You want somebody who can handle the press. Streit has always seemed to be a good interview. He is pro-organization, and is a level headed voice of professionalism. He has also been in far deeper “press” waters in Montreal… though in a far less responsible role.
3. He is a player on the international stage.
4. Damn it… he was the best player on the team for his first two years… basically carrying the junkwagon to the finish line each year.
5. With two years remaining on his current contract it gives the other candidates time to mature into the role. If he re-signs, then all the better. Sometimes you don’t need a young start to have the added pressure of being the up front leader. Some guys thrive on that, others crumble… why take a chance.
6. I’m pretty sure Streit has been captain of his Olympic team… I’m guessing coordinating that effort on a cell-phone over 5 or 6 different time zones was a little more of a burden than standing up in a locker room between periods and saying, “JEZUS CRISP, WHAT THE FURK ARE YOU GUYS DOING OUT THERE… YOU’RE PLAYING LIKE A BUNCH OF AUSTRIAN WATCHMAKERS!!!”
7. Hot Chocolate in the locker room after practice….

As much as KO represents the youth movement of this team, Streit represents the anchor of this team on the ice. He is a calming presence when he is out there and you really do see the team play much more relax just knowing he is back there, able to handle his defensive assignment, play the puck out, carry the puck out, deke through chara and score a goal. Streit is the perfect go between player while we wait for the youngsters to mature and hone their game.

Streit has already captained his national swiss team for years, and is one of those players that as a captain plays better because of it. Give Streit the C and watch him play that much better, protect his players, and play a more aggressive role. He thrives on this stuff.

None of the young guys, I believe would thrive with the C as much as they would seem ready/ An A is perfect for a guy like Tavares, Okposo, Amac, or Frans. It implies leadership, but not the helm of the ship. I would suggest these guys play better as well having that A on their sweater. Wear it with pride, feel the responsibility, but not all the weight. (no pun intended)

Sorry to say, but are young guys are not Jonathan Toews yet. Toews is probably twice his age in head and acts the part, doing a superb job over in Chicago. We do not need to expose our young talent just yet to added pressure on themselves by carrying the C.

Streit for President 2012.

Hard to imagine the situation where he is not the C. Someone mentioned DiPietro as being emotionally invested in this rebuild. I say, he is only financially invested. Streit, however, is practically a founding member of the rebuild, a free agent who didn’t shun the isles when they came calling, and is about to reap the benefits of that in 2011 (lord willing).

Give Frans and A-Mac the As. Neither JT nor okposo need that responsibility right now – Frans seems more perfectly suited for it. MacDonald just seems to have his shit together.

Basically, he’s older and more experienced. The other guys need to add years. KO can be captain when Streit is gone. No reason to saddle a young player with the role of captain when its unnecessary. I fully expect the locker room to vote and we the fans have to be satisfied with what people more involved than ourselves decide.

Veteran presence who leads by example. After him I think it’s going to be up in the air between Okposo and Tavares.

to drink a beer with that picture.

but I don’t think he’s there…….yet.

It should come naturally, from who is respected and listed to.

Yep, I said it! He’s a vocal leader, but can be laid back and joke, and bottom line, he’s done it. He was the rock of that decimated D that was babysitting (an outstanding) rookie. He also was slated to begin the year in BPT, but did nothing but keep quiet, bide his time, and produce when he got here. He’s fought his way up from the ECHL to the NHL in less than 3 years, and his teammates talk about him like a 30 year old vet. He has stuck up for teammates, plays physically hen necessary, and doesn’t lose his head.

The problem I see is, I think the captaincy usually is two forwards and a d. I could easily see streit getting the C just because he’s a vet, but let’s face it, he’s not a guy who defends his teammates either. I know size is an issue, but we do hold KO to that standard.

Also, he kinda looks like Matthew McConahe(I don’t know how to spell that), so he’s got the handsome camera thing going and is good with an interview.

‘Cause he’s the only Nova Scotian on the team.
And everything Quinny said

…OTHER.
The only way DP becomes captain is if Wang is allowed to make hockey related decisions again… I’ve been actively changing my opinion of the guy, but that would put me back in, “Wang should be sitting next to Sanjay” mode.

Luongo was enough of a laugh.

see my new sig for clarification please

Sorry but he has no Z!
People constantly do this to my own first name (get the last letter wrong) so I always notice it.

2-3 years down the road Josh may be the best suited for the job.

He has sacraficed a lot individually and has contributed a lot on PK and took the demotion like a Man!!!

….because he has a relative on another team. Jonathan Quick is actually Moulson’s brother-in-law. It could compromise his decision-making.

As you can see by my user name, Im a fan of the kid…But hes still working on his own game…He needs to worry about getting the most out of himself before he can be responsible for getting the most out of everyone else…Mark Streit is the only guy who should be the captain…

I completely agree with this.
I am a huge Kyle fan too but I think you are 100% correct.

I believe it should be Streit, but I think the Isles are going to go with KO.

Of course he will, but I would love to see Frans or Amac…for god sakes they don’t even get paid!

a healthy Streit – the nicest Xmas present imaginable

Thank you so much! Really looking forward to it! And I really hope he is going to stay as long as he holds up.

you’re all alright by me.

Fuck stats, Nielsen is one of those unsung heroes who trudges along and remains in the fans thoughts for life.

The $500K made sense from a fans’ perspective at the time. He was an emerging talent that could do everything without a superstar skillset. If you compare it to Rick’s contract, it looks like all he got were the laces, but it was done to cover his RFA period. Hopefully they can sign him up for the next 5 years at four times as much. That would put the FNGO line on long term lock down.
I also think he will be in the running with KO, Josh(yep..two years from now he’ll be close to the top of the list) and MacDonald when Streit gives up the “C”.

with the fact that Montoya and himself will split time?

to surround that with “@”

By rule, goaltenders cannot serve as team captains or alternates in the NHL. They had to pass some sort of balderdash exception to give Luongo captaincy status. It’s ridiculous.

You’d expect I would be on the goalie’s side on this, but I’m not. The rules forbid me from crossing the red line (unless I’m jumping the boards for an extra skater), or even from leaving my crease area if there’s a scuffle somewhere. How in Bossy’s name am I going to go over to the refs to ask for a ruling on something I only saw from 175 feet away? It’s stupid, that’s how. If I want to be involved in the off-ice team stuff that captains traditionally handle, I can jolly well do it without a C if I’m the keeper.

Konopka was an okay player. But Reasoner brings far more offense and is at least as good a defender, and is barely worse on faceoffs.

Leadership does not account for that big of a talent gap.

As a player, Konopka will be forgotten, but he sticks up for his squad, which is sometimes more than can be said of fancy, expensive players. I really wish Konopka great luck in Ottawa.

The guy didn’t have to come over here. And, having made big bank, he didn’t have to come over with the mindset and the dedication that he did. He didn’t sit back and play “good enough for a bad team” hockey, or “cover my ass and get my stats” hockey. He played fantastically and it was the real beginning of hockey looking more hopeful on Long Island again. I think that’s the sort of thing you should reward. I’d give Frans an A as well, and probably JT for the second A.

Sorry.

I believe when Streit’s contract is up, Kyle Okposo will be the man. But right now I feel Kyle needs to work on completing his game, especially scoring wise, and not be burdened with the extra responsibilities of the captaincy. Reasoner is too new. Hunter too fragile. The other guys (save Tavares who in my opinion is too young) are not really leaders. That leaves you with good ole Mark Streit, who I believe would be the ideal candidate to keep the C warm for young Kyle.