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**hockeyboy14** · 06-27-2008, 11:02 PM

Can a third line player be a captain?

Quote:

Matt Stajan, it's quite clear, is ready. Whether, or when, he'll be called to serve remains an open question.

But Stajan has demonstrated he has the stuff to be the next captain of the Maple Leafs, no small thing as the team looks to the post-Mats Sundin era and seeks to carve itself a meaningful new team persona in the salary cap era.

Stajan will likely never be the team's best player. Moreover, the general absence of older, more qualified veterans on the Leaf roster speaks for itself.

That said, the 24-year-old forward, now completing his fourth full season in the Original 30, is one of those players with such a noticeably strong dose of character and integrity that other criteria can be overlooked.

The kid gets it, or at least he's figured it out. It wasn't that long ago that it seemed inconceivable that he would ever have the grit and gumption to be captain. He just seemed too peripheral to the meaningful action to ever matter enough.

Now, however, there looks to be just a little bit of Bob Gainey in Stajan. Not a lot, and nobody would compare the Montreal hall of famer to the current Leaf.

But a hint. A glimmer.

You saw that after the lockout of 2004-05 when, at the tender age of 22, Stajan agreed to become the team's union rep, sort of like being named first mate when the Titanic was sinking.

You saw it earlier this year during a disastrous trip to California, a three-gamer that essentially ended John Ferguson's run as general manager, when Stajan was the go-to player in the Leaf dressing room after each setback.

"I'm responsible. I'm accountable," he seemed to be saying while highly paid, more experienced teammates hid and sought backdoor exits.

Those off-ice elements fit nicely with the more mature Stajan, who soared this past weekend in the absence of Sundin, Nik Antropov and Carlo Colaiacovo.

First came a remarkable, courageous night of shot-blocking in Buffalo in a victory over the Sabres on Friday. Then came Saturday's 24-minute, 43-second virtuoso performance in Ottawa, capped nicely by the winning goal in a comeback performance.

Given more of a burden to carry, Stajan has played better. That's special.

If Stajan, from Mississauga, does one day become captain, he would be the first local boy to wear the "C" since Sid Smith took over for a season in 1955-56.

That might be perfect for a Leaf team that urgently needs to redefine itself going forward. Team personality is about many things, and having a GTA lad identified as the quintessential Leaf – isn't that what a captain is? – could serve as an appealing first step to a new era in Toronto hockey.

Could Stajan succeed Sundin as early as next season? It's not impossible, even if Sundin stays.

Having Brenden Morrow take over the captaincy from Mike Modano in Dallas with Modano still on the roster seems to have worked out fine for that club, although it might have cost ex-GM Doug Armstrong his job.

The future of Sundin beyond this season is uncertain, but what is clear is that the Leafs, whether under interim GM Cliff Fletcher or a new hockey boss, need to gain control of this issue.

This can no longer be, to steal Fletcher's words, Sundin "driving the bus" on his future as it pertains to the Leafs. Maybe the club puts a two-year, $8 million deal on the table. Or maybe there should be no offer at all.

The Leafs, obviously, don't have a ready replacement for Sundin as their best player.

But now, they can say with confidence they do have a young man with captain written all over him when the call comes.

http://www.thestar.com/columnists/article/350045

I really liked the article, and I personally believe Stajan should be the Leafs captain.

Lets look at it:

Kaberle:
Pro: Best player
Con: Not natural leader, or motivator

Blake:
Pro: Well respected
Con: Willing to be traded, and hot headed

McCabe:
Pro: Natural leader
Con: Controversy

Stajan:
Pro: Leader
Con: Only a third liner

As it stands, the Leafs dont have a leader who has a lot of influence. With the youth movement in place, I think Stajan has the potential to be an influential captain for the Leafs and is still young enough to have an impact in the organizations

Dgill · 06-27-2008, 11:06 PM

What line does Tim Taylor play on from Tampa Bay?

I really don't think a captain should be judged by what line he plays on but the leadership he can provide.

TylerDCA · 06-28-2008, 01:04 AM

Stajan is a schmuck. The fact that he is even being suggested makes me want to stop cheering for this team.

TylerDCA · 06-28-2008, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dgill

What line does Tim Taylor play on from Tampa Bay?

I really don't think a captain should be judged by what line he plays on but the leadership he can provide.

Captain of the worst team in the NHL. That worked out well didn't it?

**BE-LEAF-ABLE** · 06-28-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerDCA

Stajan is a schmuck. The fact that he is even being suggested makes me want to stop cheering for this team.

I've been quite irritated by him as well. (made it quite clear last off-season when I thought the Leafs should the him go in a trade or something.

He seems like a nice guy and all, but I don't see enough of anything out there from him.

In all honesty, there is no one left who can lead the team right now. Hopefully they go into the season with with no onw sporting the 'C'.

**MaCabe** · 06-28-2008, 08:34 AM

Ever since Kaberle convinced a half hearted Jiri Tlusty (a man who, when he was drafted 8th over all wasn't very sure he was even going to play in the NHL, minus even consider making the trip over seas to play in the OHL), Kaberle in that same year signed the only fantastic contract JFJ handed out, and the simple fact that if Kaberle can find himself again next season he is easily one of the top 10 defenseman in the NHL if not top 5, I would favour him to be Snat's successor. We have to remember that up until about five years ago everyone thought that Sundin was a bad leader, as Canadians watching hockey we feel that a good leader is someone small, who hits and can grow facial hair, and neither Kaberle or Sundin can do that, but Kaberle makes sacrifices, his 4.25 million dollar contract could be a 6 million dollar contract, but he took a significant cut to be with the Leafs, the man bleeds the blue and white and is our best player without Snats, in my opinion there is no other option.

**hockeyboy14** · 06-28-2008, 11:55 AM

^Tlusty was ranked 8th and fell to 13 I believe.

**wingsnut19** · 06-28-2008, 12:37 PM

Give it to Schenn!

**BE-LEAF-ABLE** · 06-28-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingsnut19

Give it to Schenn!

LOL! Yeah man!

Though I actually have already heard this one a few times during the last week.

oxi · 06-29-2008, 01:21 PM

I'm siding with MaCabe, though considered quiet I think Kaberle has the ability to be a good leader. Being vocal isn't the only good attribute needed in a captain and if handed the captaincy I think Kaberle would take it as a good challenge.

Besides, the guy just deserves it. He's one of the best Dmen in the league and has chosen to stay with a crappy team that's not going anywhere for the next couple of years with a paycut. If we aren't going to give him a cup at least give him something right?

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