Last summer, I expected that Justin Williams would be named the Carolina Hurricanes captain for the 2017-18 season. Instead, the team made the puzzling non-decision decision to name Justin Faulk and Jordan Staal co-captains. And at least partly because of that decision, here we are again a year later contemplating options for the Hurricanes captain.
Cutting to the chase, I vote again for Justin Williams. Though it could ruffle feathers, I still think it is the simplest choice and the right choice. With Rod Brind’Amour now in charge, I think Williams definitely gets an elevated role, but whether or not that means a ‘C’ is yet to be determined.
Today’s Daily Cup of Joe takes a broader look at the likely options for resolving the captaincy.
Brind’Amour is on record as saying that the team would have a single captain so that is considered.
Take redo on 2017-18 and go with Justin Williams
Especially given Brind’Amour’s affinity for him, I think odds are that Justin Williams is named the captain. A potential negative is that it jumps him ahead of Staal and Faulk (if Faulk is still in a Canes uniform). That could ruffle some feathers, but I think three things mitigate this concern. First, I trust that Brind’Amour would handle this well which would go a long way toward mending any hurt feelings. Second, after the spring implosion last year, I am actually not against ruffling feathers a bit. That is actually one of the positives of naming Williams captain. It rocks the boat a bit and charts a new course which part of what this team needs. Third, I think naming a veteran and proven winner like Williams captain is different than having a younger player leap frog the current captains. Williams is a short-timer in the role as a 36-year old which might also build a bridge to a younger player like Sebastian Aho, Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce or someone else becoming the captain in a couple years.
Stick with Jordan Staal with Williams in a support role
I think the second most likely scenario sees Jordan Staal remain the captain with Justin Williams taking Skinner’s ‘A’. That at least puts Williams in a formal role and depending on who Brind’Amour presents the new situation, Williams could gain vocal authority even with the ‘A’ instead of the ‘C’. If Faulk departs, that would also leave room for one of the young guns to take an ‘A’ and possibly become first in line for after Williams departs.
Push into the future with Sebastian Aho or Jaccob Slavin
A long shot but not impossible scenario could see the team push fully into the future by naming Sebastian Aho or Jaccob Slavin the captain. They would have Staal and likely Williams as assistants to support the transition. There are two key questions to answer related to this less likely scenario. Could the leadership role be a burden that slows ongoing development? Are either of these players or someone else ready to lead?
As I noted above, I do think the team will want to chart a course to a next long-term captain, but I think the best way to get there is with Justin Williams resetting the leadership and setting an example for what the role requires.
What say you Canes fans?
Please remember to click ‘vote’ after each individual poll response.
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1) Do you see any downside to naming Williams the captain over other options?
2) Name and defend your choice per the poll.
Go Canes!
1. No.
2.This young team needs someone with experience, and will be an extension of RBA in the locker room. J. Williams is perfect. My choices:
J. Williams-C
J. Staal-A
S. Aho- A
D. Hamilton-A
1. No objections.
2. I vote for Chuck Kaiten as C, he has 40 years experience, deep hockey knowledge, and can pronounce every player’s name correctly. 😉
1 Yes. Williams has one year left on his contract. Depending on his play, and the teams results this year, he may not be resigned. That leaves us with the same mess next year.
2 Everyone seems to point to Jordan as a quiet leader. Let him keep the C and appoint two new A’s. Both Rod and Ronnie were considered quiet leaders, and both were wee
ll thought of in the locker room.
well thought of Sorry
1. None I consider significant.
2. Williams because of his history with the organization and success in the league. Also, it will only be for this year an maybe next if signs a one-year contract for 19-20. That will allow Aho to transition from A to C. Eventually, the Hurricanes are Aho’s team.
3. Observations from this weekend (we had tons of rain, so I had some time on my hands to re-watch some of last season’s games).
A. McGinn needs to be on the power play. Coming off the Boston debacle, the Canes were played Tampa on Jan. 9. Two minutes into the game the Canes went on the power play–and started with Williams, Ryan, McGinn, Slavin, and Pesce. That doesn’t sound impressive, but it was as good as the power play looked all season. Pesce and Slavin both made plays to keep the puck in the zone. McGinn and Williams were feeding off each other until McGinn took a beautiful pass from Williams and deflected it in.
B. The first two games of March against Philadelphia and NJ might have been the best the team played all season. Several things stood out. Aho will elevate the top-scoring line at center. There was a 4-on-4 in the Flyers game (so technically not a true center situation) where Aho an Teravainen controlled the puck like it was practice–it ended with Teravainen scoring on a terrific touch pass from Aho. The entire team is better when Williams is on his offensive game. While Hamilton (and Faulk if he remains on the team) should improve the scoring from the D, Pesce could have a break out season. Hh had assists on almost identical plays in both games. He was also joining the rush and making really strong passes in the offense zone.
Based on the little I watched, I think McGinn is the likely answer to who plays with Necas/Svechnikov, though his chemistry with Williams makes a McGinn/Staal/Williams line a good option as well. In any event, GET HIM ON THE PP.
RBA should encourage Pesce to become an offensive weapon.
Aho and TT are going to be even better this season.
1. Downside on Williams. His game was slipping at end of last season. It’s hard to be a driving force on a team if your game isn’t up to snuff. For that reason and because he has otherwise earned it, I pick Staal.
2. Williams and Slavin as he “A’s”. They also have earned it. I don’t want Aho with this also on his plate. I want him to concentrate on his offensive game.
I agree with Ryder and Yankee that with only one year left on his deal taking the C away from Staal to give it to Williams isn’t the smart move.
I would have Williams and Faulk (if he is still here) as the As. I wouldn’t consider putting a letter on Aho until he signs a long term deal. If Faulk is gone you could consider Hamilton, Slavin and Pesce as the other A.
Lessthan…I change my mind and agree with you that the “A” go to Williams and Faulk rather than Williams and Slavin as I first suggested.
1. Agree with others that making Williams may be bad because of only one year left, and declining play…. However I also voted for him to be the captain!
2. I realize this is premature, but don’t forget about svench. I love aho, however i still think long term we can’t forget that svench is here.
1) No real downside as JWill will certainly be mentoring the future leaders of this team next season.
2)JWill as C with Staal and Slavin. I see Slavin as the future captain of this squad. I think he has the experience that Aho may lack at this point. Let Aho grow as a scorer and work his way into an A.
I agree 100 %…
Williams would be great Imo, and Slavin is a guy that demands respect!
One forward and one Dman is also a good idea, and if they select a third guy (A) Staal fits the bill!
I like Aho…but think it’s premature to anoint him a leadership position.
I fully expect that Williams will carry the “C” – he and RBA have a close rapport, apparently, and get each other. He should be an effective conduit between the coaches and the rest of team. Indeed he is already acting as the de facto team captain (sending welcoming messages to the new team members).
That said, I am not sure I agree with it – and not really for the reasons other mention. He was signed last season to add heart and soul to the team and be an important team leader. To implied the “vocal authority” last season misses how teams are structured, I think, and one of the roles he was hired to play. If he needs the “C” to have a voice and to be heard in the locker room something was way wrong – and I am not sure implies a good future if I understand leadership principles very well.
On the other hand I saw an impromptu video clip of JStaal after a game interacting with the players. He was vocal, friendly, and very supportive (it was a game we won, of course!) and you could tell how the players listened and responded.
1. No.
2. I can see the argument for Staal as well. Its not like he was a bad captain. He is a bit quite though. JW was a true leader. He was the one that made no excuses and called out the team when they were not doing things correctly, none of this “we will learn from this” crap. He told it the way it was when interviewed and was not a happy camper when the team did not play correctly. He showed the emotion the others did not. He does not tolerate loosing. Because of his history as well as his demeanor I think he would be the best captain. Yes, it could ruffle feathers. Stall could still work but I think RBA trusts JW more. Also, its clear management wants to change things to send a message that the culture is changing. I think this is part of the message.
If JW is captain Stall should be an A. The other A, not sure. That could go a lot of ways. That dual captaincy was such bunk, just somebody not wanting to make a decision.