Speculation: Next captain ?

[PricePkPatch*]

Philippe Cantin wrote quite the article this morning in La Presse

Subban, le meilleur depuis Roy

Subban, the Best since Roy

Marc Bergevin should speed its talk with PK Subban in order to extend his contract. The way this exceptional defensemen is behaving this season, the bill that will be picked by the organization will just get heavier as time pass!

During the team's successful western trip, Subban was the Conductor. Off course, he got a bad penalty in Calgary; depriving his team the chance to even the score. But let's not forget that he was the one who awaken the Habs after a slow start.

After the game, Subban made his Mea Culpa. He also sent a message to his teammates: "We can keep saying it's only season start. But we have to play better than that."

Duing the next three games, all Habs victory, Subban led by example. That's the signature of a true leader. Even if the "C" is sewn on Brian Gionta's jersey, an honest player, it's obvious that Subban is already Captain of the team in deeds.

This morning, Subban leads the Habs' in points (8), in +/- (+6) and TOI (24:58).

Beyond these great numbers, his energy empowers his teammates and upset his rivals. And Subban seems even better when he's in the spotlight, as was shown in the Western trip when opposing fanbases booed him.

Last spring, Serge Savard, a fin observer, did not made any mystery of his opinion: Subban is the best defenseman in the NHL. "On the ice, he's got no weaknesses. He skates extremely well, his shots are hard, and he plays physically. Nobody wants to play against him" said the Habs' ex-GM.

A few weeks later, Subban won the Norris. Those who believed the shortened season unjustly advantaged Subban, the 76 answered with a strong early season.

You know what? There hasn't been a athlete of this quality in Montreal for years. When we think of Alex Kovalev, who's been the most exciting player of the past 10 years, we also remember that he took one game out of two off. We have to admit that the Habs fans haven't been spoiled.

Subban is, without a doubt, the best Habs player since Patrick Roy. His personality is strong, his skill is great. What about the Stanley Cups? They will come...

 

[Capitano]

I don't what to go off topic and talk about Plek, not that I don't agree with what your saying but that topic for another day, the thing is when choosing a Captain, I think it's more important what the guys in the room think of the guy than it is of say the fans. Again I love PK and think he has strong leadership skills, but will take time, with age, to take over the room. An example is in the playoffs when Subban threw that huge hit on Neil and went to the bench to try to get those guys railed up, no one paid any attention to him. It's just the way hockey players seem to be, they seem to put down any young players that shown enthusiasm to the game, ex Ovie.

I think I understand. It's funny though...I remember seeing PK throw that monstrous hit and I was all fired up in my living room...those guys on the bench need to look themselves in the mirror if they don't. But only a handful of players showed up in the playoffs...so maybe that tells you what our team is made of - at least what they were made of at that moment in time. I think the C is mostly symbolic, but at the same time if you have the right guy wearing the C then he can inspire you to do things you normally wouldn't do. I think PK is the guy to do it.

Personally I wouldn't look at our core players if you select PK as the captain...Markov, Gionta, Plekanec, etc. PK would be leading other guys and there is no better choice imo.

 

[TheCanasianfrasian]

I think the C will go to Gorges next year. Possibly Prusty. I love Subban but i don't think he'd make a good captain as he is WAY too passionnate and emotional about his game and the game of his peers.

 

[Habsawce]

I think the C will go to Gorges next year. Possibly Prusty. I love Subban but i don't think he'd make a good captain as he is WAY too passionnate and emotional about his game and the game of his peers.

Gorges made some petty comments about Subban's contract negotiations last year and overall seemed like a whiny little *****. I don't want him to be captain, plus the captain should be able to stand up in the room and talk with the confidence that everything he says he can bring to the table.

Subban has all the attributes you would want in a captain but unfortunately there is this stigma attached to him by the media that makes people believe he's not well respected in the locker room. The fact is though: He's the best player on the team, he always makes team first comments to the media, he never takes a day off, he works as hard or harder than anyone in the off season, does a ton of charity work, is young enough to be around for a long time and is a fan favourite.

The only knock that would hurt him in being chosen is that the refs seem to really dislike him, but with a "C" on his jersey they might change their tone.

 

[Agnostic]

Philippe Cantin wrote quite the article this morning in La Presse

Subban, le meilleur depuis Roy

Subban, the Best since Roy

These are my thoughts also. The organization should embrace the idea of having this guy wear the C . Beyond his immense talent he is passionate, accountable, articulate and perhaps most importantly he would step up to the role because he's large enough to fill it . I think this fan base has been beaten down by a Ronald Corey stick when I see the likes of Josh Gorges being put forward. Like Dryden said its time for the organization to start writing its next 100 years of history..

 

[BlackStar]

I think the C will go to Gorges next year. Possibly Prusty. I love Subban but i don't think he'd make a good captain as he is WAY too passionnate and emotional about his game and the game of his peers.

...and that is why he wouldnt make a good captain folks...

 

[Agnostic]

...and that is why he wouldnt make a good captain folks...

Passion can sometimes disrupt the flow of lethargy and indifference . It's dangerous in all but the smallest quantities.

 

[TheCanasianfrasian]

...and that is why he wouldnt make a good captain folks...

I'm sure you understand perfectly the point i'm making and you're just making a play on words out of bad faith.

 

[PricePkPatch*]

I'm sure you understand perfectly the point i'm making and you're just making a play on words out of bad faith.

No. I don't. I believe you are making a bad point; saying that passion is a liability for leadership.

It's a RISK; granted. I doubt anybody will tell you that passionate people may end up being disastrous leaders. But it's far from a guarantee. The best leaders are also passionate people. It's all about a person's skill.

Picking Subban as a C would be a risky move that is potentially extremely rewarding to this team. Wouldn't you say?

 

[overlords]

Subban seems to me like the guy on this team who hates losing more than anybody. That's a good quality for your captain to have.

 

[PricePkPatch*]

Subban seems to me like the guy on this team who hates losing more than anybody. That's a good quality for your captain to have.

And yet does not moan to the media about other players. If he criticize anybody else, he's ALWAYS to include himself in the lot.

.... man, I never realized that he already takes charge of the team's failings.

 

[DenverHabsFan]

These are my thoughts also. The organization should embrace the idea of having this guy wear the C . Beyond his immense talent he is passionate, accountable, articulate and perhaps most importantly he would step up to the role because he's large enough to fill it . I think this fan base has been beaten down by a Ronald Corey stick when I see the likes of Josh Gorges being put forward. Like Dryden said its time for the organization to start writing its next 100 years of history..

Amen, brother!

There is no other player on the team who welcomes the attention and can take all the pressure and still deliver on the ice. Much like Mark Messier saying "I guarantee a win" and then delivering. That's the mark of a true leader. Enough of those guys who are just "good in the room" and can babysit rookies.

PK is the first guy that comes to mind in a do-or-die situation, game 7, everything on the line.

The video below is all I need to make my case. Watch his poise and reaction after the goal:

 

[Brainiac]

We will definitely know better in May/June. By the end of the year, our leaders might be Subban, Price, Eller, Galchenyuk, Gallagher. The vets will have to play along, not the other way around.

The only downside to giving Subban the C is that it would annoy some vets. And you know what? I couldn't care less.

Again, it's not like giving a rookie or sophomore the C. If Subban gets another Norris nomination and strong playoffs, I'd say he's payed his due.

 

[ChikN]

Subban is already the captain in the eyes of many people. Stands up for his teammates and is always including himself whenever he is interviewed about the team. Plays with passion, grit and oozes talent.

Gorges can ******* *** for all I care, lost a lot of respect for this guy after his comments during the lockout.

 

[JaymzB]

Assuming Gionta leaves, and assuming the roster is completely overhauled, then do the normal process in Montreal. Have the players vote. Simple as that.

 

[Brainiac]

Assuming Gionta leaves, and assuming the roster is completely overhauled, then do the normal process in Montreal. Have the players vote. Simple as that.

What??

 

[Gyfu]

Philippe Cantin wrote quite the article this morning in La Presse

Subban, le meilleur depuis Roy

Subban, the Best since Roy

captain doesn't mean best scorer, a cpt does not take the penalty he took vs.CAL(he's in the top 3 every year for minor penalties), a cpt doesn't go yappin' at everybody all game long. you gotta behave like a captain to be one in my opinion., and by the way philippe cantin doesn't have a clue. don't mean to hurt anybody's feeling

 

[PricePkPatch*]

captain doesn't mean best scorer, a cpt does not take the penalty he took vs.CAL(he's in the top 3 every year for minor penalties), a cpt doesn't go yappin' at everybody all game long. you gotta behave like a captain to be one in my opinion., and by the way philippe cantin doesn't have a clue. don't mean to hurt anybody's feeling

Oh man, your argument is so well structure. It's almost poetry. I'm almost to tears...

 

[Gyfu]

Oh man, your argument is so well structure. It's almost poetry. I'm almost to tears...

i don't have to write a book on him to make my point... did ihurt your feelings

 

[Ghetto Sangria]

Gorges made some petty comments about Subban's contract negotiations last year and overall seemed like a whiny little *****. I don't want him to be captain, plus the captain should be able to stand up in the room and talk with the confidence that everything he says he can bring to the table.

Subban has all the attributes you would want in a captain but unfortunately there is this stigma attached to him by the media that makes people believe he's not well respected in the locker room. The fact is though: He's the best player on the team, he always makes team first comments to the media, he never takes a day off, he works as hard or harder than anyone in the off season, does a ton of charity work, is young enough to be around for a long time and is a fan favourite.

The only knock that would hurt him in being chosen is that the refs seem to really dislike him, but with a "C" on his jersey they might change their tone.

Epic post of truths. Subban is the right candidate. Also i think he'd calm down in the yappy pest department a little if he were to get the C.

He's the guy the habs rely on to make plays. He always steps up in big games, says all the right things to the media, and thrives in the spotlight.

As i said before, he's the only guy on the habs i can see being the first to raise that cup over his head.

 

[kingdok]

Subban is already the captain in the eyes of many people. Stands up for his teammates and is always including himself whenever he is interviewed about the team. Plays with passion, grit and oozes talent.

Gorges can ******* *** for all I care, lost a lot of respect for this guy after his comments during the lockout.

no need to insult Gorges in the process though. The guy has been doing the dirty job with the medias for several years now. He's a strong team player.

 

[PricePkPatch*]

i don't have to write a book on him to make my point... did ihurt your feelings

What, you made a point? Really?

seems to me you just rudely threw insults around, basically insulting those who might disagree with you.

 

[Saundies]

PK Subban should be the next captain, no question. The guy is a superstar and the face of our franchise. We drafted him, developed him, and now he's arguably our most important piece going forward if we want to win along with Price and Galchenyuk.

On the ice:

He never takes a night off, loves pressure, and is one of the hardest working guys on the team. He's currently our best player (not that that should be the be all and end all choice when selecting a captain, but it helps) and opposing teams HATE him, which makes me love him even more. I think back to some of the captains that represent their teams and the ones I "hate" (on the ice, obviously) are the most effective ones, ala Chara, Sundin (and now Phaneuf), Sid, Pronger when he was playing, etc. The other night in Calgary before he took that stupid penalty, he single handedly-clawed the team back into the game and was dominant. That's the kind of player I wanna see wearing the C.

Off the ice:

He has a personality, which is rare for hockey players these days who just drone on and give out the exact same cliche answers every single interview. He's great in the community, and in the media which is always important. Plus he's the type of guy that could handle the pressure through the hard times and kind of direct it away from the team, which in Montreal is probably the most important thing you can do.

No offense to Josh Gorges, but picking him captain would be, well, underwhelming... I like him as a player (he's a warrior) and there's no denying his leadership, but is Josh Gorges really the face of the franchise? I don't think so. If you look at all the other C's around the league (Sid, Ovi, Giroux, Toews, Weber, Benn, Chara, etc) there's a star factor there along with the leadership they bring. Gorges just doesn't bring that for me. And that's not a knock on him, he is what he is and we love him for it, but a captain needs to be something more than just leadership in the room.

I kinda rambled on, but bottom line: PK for captain.

 

[Gyfu]

What, you made a point? Really?

seems to me you just rudely threw insults around, basically insulting those who might disagree with you.

you got it all wrong buddy, i was expressing an opinion on the team's captaincy. i have great respect for anybody's opinion. i didn't try to make a point on what i think of cantin(related to you in some way i'm guessing)just said what i thought about his hockey knowledge. i wasn't bashing subban either just saying i don't think he'd be a good captain. you got the right to your own opinion and i do too

bolded:?!? you came after me trying to stir ****. by the way we're done here have a nice day

 

[Miller Time]

Subban is the obvious choice.

Will say a lot about MT & MB if they have the brains/balls to do it.