Should The Captaincy ( Assistant Too ) Be Re-evaluated For 2007-08?

[Guest jennifer_rocket]

Hey, I don't believe I've ever created a topic before. If any of the moderators feel this has been already discussed elsewhere, or is inappropriate for the main page, please let me know. Thanks!

I thought I would raise the issue of captancy for the Montreal Canadiens 2007-2008 season. I'm aware it's early, but figured it would be fun to discuss as there are constant team building/managment discussions going on throughout the board. Part of team building and management is assigning captains. Leaders who will provide direction for the rest of the team throughout the regular season and play-offs. My choices for captancy are as follows:

SAKU KOIVU - "C"

In my opinion, still our best player, it was evident how important Koivu was to our team during the Carolina/eye incident during the 2006 play-offs. We've yet to see if he can provide the same direction throughout another play-off series, but he's been very vocal about wanting to get back there. Not satisfied with this year's finish, and posting career highs, perhaps we can expect even more from Saku next season as the Canadiens continue their "building" towards another Stanley Cup.

STEVE BEGIN - "A"

Hard-working, shot-blocking, and important in the community, Begin is an excellent candiate for assistant captancy. Fans from all over the city seem to love his mentality, and he's not afraid to mix it up. He seems to epitomize JL's signature about "hard work, etc. etc." If Steve Begin doesn't get wear a letter on his jersey next year I will be sorely disapointed.

ANDREI MARKOV - "A"

Providing leadership on the back end, this apparently silent stalwart has proven he deserves the "A" by providing season after season of solid defensive work. We've also seen how he's helped turn Komisarek into a very sound defenseman, and we can only hope he can do the same with up-and-comers, such as O'Byrne and Cote. I feel it necessary to have the "A"s split up between a forward and defenseman, so hand one to Markov!

CHRIS HIGGINS - Alternate if injury occurs.

Chris Higgins is the future of our team. He's also been a vocal player, not afraid to criticize, during this past season. Improving offensively, and quickly becoming a fan favorite, if an injury should occur to someone on our team who holds a "C" or "A" I believe Chris Higgins should be the player to step in and wear an "A".

[Guest Habsfan_11]

C-Koivu

A-Kovalev (if he's back)

A-Begin or Higgins

I know some may not like Kovalev as the "A" bearer, but I think that he's got a lot to teach to our young guys, whether or not he actually displays it on the ice...

I also think that Kovalev will have a decent rebound season this year with 60-70 points.

[jigger-1]

C-Koivu

A-Kovalev (if he's back)

A-Begin or Higgins

I know some may not like Kovalev as the "A" bearer, but I think that he's got a lot to teach to our young guys, whether or not he actually displays it on the ice...

I also think that Kovalev will have a decent rebound season this year with 60-70 points.

I agree. I wanted to say that too but didn't want to start another Kovalev debate.

But he's the most experienced player on the team and the only one with a Cup ring along with Dandy. And given the fact that he's vocal and speaks his mind out there, I would think it's natural he sports the A.

Dandenault is another possibility.

[hockey_gal89]

C-Koivu

A-Ryder

A-Begin

[Guest gumper]

C-Koivu

A-Ryder

A-Begin

I want to sday Ryder but I don't know, there is a lot of stuff behind the scenes that we don't know about, with leadership and all, Ryder might be a shy guy or he may be a leader, I dont know. But if Higgins is ever named captain Ryder should be right up there with him.

[Guest Lafleurs Guy]

Markov A, if Souray returns he gets the other A. If not, Higgins would be a good choice.

[flames4eva]

Markov A, if Souray returns he gets the other A. If not, Higgins would be a good choice.

It would be good if someone would highlight the responsibilities of Captain and Assistants on the ice... seems to me that has to have some bearing on a selection.

[Guest MTL_is_CHC]

Markov, A?

he's not very vocal. i dont think salary should be taken into account. Leadership qualities should.

[Guest habinto]

C-Koivu

A-Kovalev (if he's back)

A-Begin or Higgins

I know some may not like Kovalev as the "A" bearer, but I think that he's got a lot to teach to our young guys, whether or not he actually displays it on the ice...

I also think that Kovalev will have a decent rebound season this year with 60-70 points.

Kovy as nothing to teach the kids but he already has the A and if he comes back we can't take it away if we want him to be happy and hopefully turn things around.

[Guest jennifer_rocket]

Markov, A?

he's not very vocal. i dont think salary should be taken into account. Leadership qualities should.

Well my particular choices included two vocal players (Koivu & Begin), but also someone who led by example on the ice (Markov). That was the reasoning. A good mixture, see?

[Guest LarryRobinson]

What exactly does it "mean" to be an assistant captain? are the A's there for a real purpose or are they just trivial accolades?

Kovalev has things to teach younger players?

Thats a joke right. The guy plays a very specific type of game honed to his own skills. Im not being critical, I dont mind Kovy's game, but I dont see what he can teach others -- his game is based on pure individual skill, and honestly apart from his amazing hands and stick work, he has some pretty bad habits, no?

Begin? --- I can see this a bit more, but again, his skill set seems pigeonholed to the checkers, shot blockers. I'd think we would want the A on the most well-rounded players, who also are veteran-type leaders.

Pause.

Come to think of it, I guess Kovy and Begin are our veterans, but its kinda depressing to think they deserve to have the A's. I'd think Souray, Markov, and maybe Ryder all deserve them also. If you are telling me that 10 years in the league equates to an A, then fine give it to the vets, but if its supposed to be to team leaders for the young kids to follow, well then Ryder and Higgins are just as worthy.

Obviously the C only leaves Koivu's jersey when Koivu leaves the Habs.

[Guest ChriS_HigGinS#1]

C-Koivu

A-Markov

A-Kovalev

[Guest jennifer_rocket]

What exactly does it "mean" to be an assistant captain? are the A's there for a real purpose or are they just trivial accolades?

Kovalev has things to teach younger players?

Thats a joke right. The guy plays a very specific type of game honed to his own skills. Im not being critical, I dont mind Kovy's game, but I dont see what he can teach others -- his game is based on pure individual skill, and honestly apart from his amazing hands and stick work, he has some pretty bad habits, no?

Begin? --- I can see this a bit more, but again, his skill set seems pigeonholed to the checkers, shot blockers. I'd think we would want the A on the most well-rounded players, who also are veteran-type leaders.

Pause.

Come to think of it, I guess Kovy and Begin are our veterans, but its kinda depressing to think they deserve to have the A's. I'd think Souray, Markov, and maybe Ryder all deserve them also. If you are telling me that 10 years in the league equates to an A, then fine give it to the vets, but if its supposed to be to team leaders for the young kids to follow, well then Ryder and Higgins are just as worthy.

Obviously the C only leaves Koivu's jersey when Koivu leaves the Habs.

I dunno, I think Begin is the perfect assistant captain for just those reasons - checker, shot blocker, etc. Everyone plays a role on a team, and there's really not many players I can think of who do everything well. I just see Begin, and the motivation he exhibits on the ice by throwing his body in front of shots, by making the hit, and by being a positive influence in the community (outside the arena) as being a great leader. You can say Souray and Ryder deserve them, but they're also considered one-dimensional by some people here. Souray as a PP specialist, and Ryder as having a good shot. I don't necessarily agree with that, but I like handing the the captancies around to a varied set of players.

KOIVU - Point production, vocal leadership.

BEGIN - Hard work ethic, grinder mentality, vocal leadership.

MARKOV - Silent leader, sound defensive work.

[Guest Alex-Habsfan23]

C- Koivu

A- Souray (if he's back)

A- Markov

[Guest TORHABSFAN]

I am asumeing that your all asumeing that Souray will not be back.. Beacuse If he is how can you not give him a A.. He was just as much a leader as Saku was last year.

C- Koivu

A- Souray

A- Higgins

[Guest habs_fan1160]

C- Saku Koivu

A- Souay (if he returns - if not Higgins).

A- Ryder

[tmash]

It's been discussed, but a new topic is fine as the situation now is different with Rivet gone and Souray likely leaving. However, it's still tough because we don't know who will be here.

Koivu should be captain.

---

The assistants is tough. If Bonk or Johnson return, I'd be tempted to give it to them, also a UFA we may sign may deserve it

In terms of experience and skill, Markov and Kovalev make sense, but neither seems like a great leader

Begin is a good leader, but I don't like fourth line players being captains, how are our rookies supposed to look up to them? Same thing for Dandenault and Bouillion.

This year may be somewhat early, but at some point we should consider giving one of our up and comers an A, the person we think will eventually replace Koivu. At this point, our NY kids, Komi and Higgins are probably the best candidates.

So it really could go a lot of ways.

[Guest JL]

The captaincy won't be revisited, but the alternate captains will be as they are every year. With Souray most likely gone (uhg), there will be at least one new face wearing the A next season.

[Guest Greek Hab]

C - Saku

A - Bégin/Higgins (50/50)

A - Andrei

As said above, I like the idea of having the 'A' spread out between forward and defence. If in the upcoming training camp we have a youngster movement(which I hope we do) that brings up 2 deserving forwards(aside from A. Kostitsyn and Lapierre) and possibly 1-2 deserving d-men(Souray is not in my roster for next year), I believe that leadership in both these areas will be needed, with or without the 'A' the on the soulder.

[Guest MTL_RULES]

Markov, A?

he's not very vocal. i dont think salary should be taken into account. Leadership qualities should.

to wear an A, you don't have to be vocal. It's your leadership. Unless you've been in the Canadiens dressing room, and you don't feel that Markov is a leader, then I don't think you can really argue with the suggestion. There is such a thing as leading by example, which I do believe Markov does quite well, from what he does on ice. Because nobody, at least to my knowledge, here knows what our players are like in the dressing room.

Maybe Markov is calm, cool, and collected, even in intense situations, and it helps keep the guys relaxed and not over-stressed. You never know.

[Guest Greek Hab]

to wear an A, you don't have to be vocal. It's your leadership. Unless you've been in the Canadiens dressing room, and you don't feel that Markov is a leader, then I don't think you can really argue with the suggestion. There is such a thing as leading by example, which I do believe Markov does quite well, from what he does on ice. Because nobody, at least to my knowledge, here knows what our players are like in the dressing room.

Maybe Markov is calm, cool, and collected, even in intense situations, and it helps keep the guys relaxed and not over-stressed. You never know.

Agree.

This is me being optomistic, but aside from Markov and his skill...He is a player who wants to be apart of this team and city. What better player is their to choose from? *I'm sure other players on the team have the same feeling, but Markov has made it public*

[Guest Miltie01]

Robinson always said that Henri Richard never said alot in the dressing room, but one look in his eyes and you would know whether you were giving your best !!!

[tmash]

to wear an A, you don't have to be vocal. It's your leadership. Unless you've been in the Canadiens dressing room, and you don't feel that Markov is a leader, then I don't think you can really argue with the suggestion. There is such a thing as leading by example, which I do believe Markov does quite well, from what he does on ice. Because nobody, at least to my knowledge, here knows what our players are like in the dressing room.

Maybe Markov is calm, cool, and collected, even in intense situations, and it helps keep the guys relaxed and not over-stressed. You never know.

but in that case your captain is always just your best players, which isn't always the case.

I think the captains need to have a certain vocal aspect. They should stick up for their teammates on and off the ice, need to talk to the refs, the media tends to circle around them, and it is an extra burden on their shoulders. The speeches, telling youngsters what they should be doing better, it all comes back to vocal. Any young dman is automatically going to watch Markov on the ice, he's good, you don't need a letter to show that. But having that letter on your chest makes you have more authority when you make the speech or tell someone to do something differently.

[gracie12]

It's been discussed, but a new topic is fine as the situation now is different with Rivet gone and Souray likely leaving. However, it's still tough because we don't know who will be here.

Bingo. Just too many variables for me right now.

Koivu should be captain.

The assistants is tough. If Bonk or Johnson return, I'd be tempted to give it to them, also a UFA we may sign may deserve it

Yup. No brainer to me with Koivu. As long as he's here, hes captain imo.

Bonk was the #4 or 5 guy (when people were injured) so if he's back, id say he likely will get it. Johnson could be a good choice too..IF either is back.

In terms of experience and skill, Markov and Kovalev make sense, but neither seems like a great leader

Kovalev can be. Depends what Kovy comes to camp. Markov...too quiet to me. But then, from what I understand bonk barely speaks english, so maybe its all about leading by example.

Begin is a good leader, but I don't like fourth line players being captains, how are our rookies supposed to look up to them? Same thing for Dandenault and Bouillion.

REALLY good point. I like all the aforementioned players & i like their heart, but is someone like Kostitsyn really going to learn from a guy like Begin ? I dont think so. The gus who could learn from begin (chipchura, lapierre etc) dont need someone to tell them to hustle

The other thing is a big UFA signing/trade. It would need to be the right guy, but I mean if (pipe dream) someone like marleau came here in a trade, I could totally see him getting an A - at least a few months into the season.

Like so many other things this summer, time will tell

[Dutch]

Koivu should keep the C as long as he is here. As for the A's, I am just going to wait with that untill we know who will be on the team next season.