You did ask this question earlier:I didn’t say it was unprecedented, and it doesn’t change my opinion even if it’s happened a handful of times over the last 20-something years. Although it’s funny that basically Babcock’s entire toronto tenure was without a captain.
Maybe it’s part and parcel of a rebuild, which would make it just another aspect of a rebuild that I don’t like. And I don’t buy that the choice is between having no captain and having to name someone who isn’t captain material. If you don’t have ONE guy on your team who you can put in charge on the premise that he’s the guy while the next generation matures, you’ve mismanaged your team.
I don’t follow other teams that closely but how often in the modern era has it happened that a team has gone multiple years without naming a captain, even an interim one?
The answer is that it's happened several times. I assumed you asked that question because the answer was relevant to your opinion as to the wisdom of not having a captain for a few seasons. The fact that several teams have done it means that it's not considered outlandish in NHL management circles.
There are always leaders among a group of athletes, and those leaders can speak up or be examples whether or not they wear a letter. But actually naming a captain sets the direction of the franchise. I don't think this is necessarily part of all rebuilds, but it probably tends to happen more in rebuilds because you've got older players moving in and out, and younger players who might not be ready.
You might be right that the Ducks are making a mistake by not having a named captain. I thought Killorn might be that guy as a bridge between Getzlaf and when one of the youngsters is ready. The fact that Killorn didn't get the job might mean several things. One of them could be that ownership and management over-value longevity in the captaincy role, having had Getzlaf for so long.
My feeling is that I want them to take their time and make sure the captain is the right guy. If Killorn or Fowler wasn't going to get the job, it's seems clear that they want it to be a youngster who keeps the role for a long time. Make sure it's the right one. Hopefully they make that decision during camp in the fall and this becomes moot. But I wouldn't be surprised if it takes them one more year. I WOULD be surprised if the Ducks don't have a captain in 2025.