Over a week ago, head coach Brent Sutter revealed that he is unsure if Patrik Elias will remain as team captain this upcoming season.  If Jamie Langenbrunner were to replace Elias, that plan might have to be delayed. He went for surgery on his injured groin and will be sidelined for up to two months.

NHL league policy stipulated that a goaltender cannot act as the captain for obvious reasons.  It would be illogical to have the goalie relay messages between coaches and referees during a game.  Off the ice and in the locker room, there would not be a problem, but again logically, players may look up to veteran teammates, who can score key goals or deliver hard-hitting checks and mentor the youth.  Hence, the reason that future Hall of Famer Scott Stevens was captain of this ship for 13 seasons.

NHL Team Captains Rule 14.D
"No playing Coach or playing Manager or goalkeeper shall be permitted to act as Captain or Alternate Captain."

Others names that are immediately surface are defenseman Colin White, center John Madden, or defensive forward Jay Pandolfo.

As of now, Sutter has yet to indicate any progress in his search for a new captain. I liked Langenbrunner as the front runner but the groin injury hampered that from happening now.

These four guys were actually assistant captains last season.

Madden is my next logical choice.  He has been with the organization his entire career, since 1997.  His impact on the team may not come in the form of 100-point seasons, but rather in shutting down the guys who score that many goals.  From Jaromir Jagr to Sidney Crosby, Madden is the skater you want on the ice for penalty kills, defensive prowess, and maybe a goal here or there.  In his prime, his uncanny ability to score shorthanded goals was unmatched.  He is still a tremendous skater, solid faceoff winner, and important part of this organization's success for the last seven seasons.

While Madden is the front-runner, Colin White needs to improve his scoring from eight points last season and minus eight on plus/minus to become the next captain.  He definitely adds an important physical dimension with his Scott Stevens' stay-at-home style of defense.  He brings to the team seven years of experience and two Stanley Cups.

A defensive specialist, Pandolfo is a player like Madden who does not generate attention offensively.  Rather, he attempts to slow down the offensive wizards of hockey.  It is possible that he is wearing down physically, but he is definitely a candidate for the "C."  Pandolfo has played three consecutive seasons without getting injured and was finally named a Frank J. Selke Trophy finalist in the 2006-7 campaign.

Sutter probably wants to see who makes it through training camp, before he decides on a team captain.  As I have mentioned before, I have faith and confidence in Sutter's coaching abilities and decision-making to determine the team captain and the roster for that matter.

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