The Next to Wear the "C"

Another weekend, another crazy Mats Sundin rumour.

It's been that way for a while, and it's going to stay that way until Sundin decides on his future, a decision that seems no closer today than it was in April July.

Good for him. The man's in a position to call the shots on his own career, and who among us wouldn't cherish such an opportunity.

The Maple Leafs are still hoping No. 13 will make the most illogical decision of all and return to them, perhaps so they can try to trade him for a third time next February.

That's at least part of the reason why the club hasn't named a new captain, a situation that may not change any time soon.

In fact, the current leadership vacuum is comparable to the period from 1986-89 when the Leafs didn't have a captain at all in the wake of a trade that sent 50-goal shooter Rick Vaive to Chicago. Eventually, the "C" was awarded for the 1989-90 season to Rob Ramage, a solid, veteran defenceman who became the first player in team history to be named captain without having played a single game for the team.

During the years in which the club didn't have a captain, there were young players like Wendel Clark, Gary Leeman, Al Iafrate and Russ Courtnall who were strong prospects but deemed to be too young to assume the leadership mantle left by Vaive.

Which brings us to today, a time when again the Leafs have many youngsters, none of whom have been through the wars enough to lead the team, and a large group of mostly undistinguished veterans. Assuming Sundin doesn't return, the most sensible choice might be to at least temporarily assign the captaincy on a rotating basis like teams such as Buffalo and Minnesota have done in recent seasons.

Then again, Cliff Fletcher's into bold decisions these days. If he and new head coach Ron Wilson decide there must be a captain for the 2008-09 season, here are the candidates:

-- Tomas Kaberle: Classy puck-moving defenceman is the longest-serving Leaf, although new backup goalie Curtis Joseph was on the roster when Kaberle broke into the Toronto lineup in 1998. Kaberle would be a quiet leader in the same mold as Sundin or Nicklas Lidstrom, although he's not been the player over the course of his career that they have been. The biggest problem might be that Kaberle was also on the trading block in February but refused to waive his no-trade clause.

-- Nik Antropov: Last year was his best, but it was just one year. Doesn't have the personality to serve as captain.

-- Vesa Toskala: Sorry, goalies can't be captains according to NHL rules.

-- Matt Stajan: Has many of the proper qualities, but still too young.

-- Alex Steen: His father, Tomas, served as Winnipeg's co-captain in the late 1980s. Unlike Stajan, however, Steen hasn't established himself as a credible leader inside the dressing room.

-- Bryan McCabe: No chance, although he's been an NHL captain before. McCabe is slated to be moved in a trade ASAP.

-- Carlo Colaiacovo: Has many of the best qualities, but would need to be healthy for a lengthy period to establish himself. Then again, Clark served as captain despite an injury-scarred career.

-- Jamal Mayers: The Leafs acquired the veteran winger for his experience and personality as much as his talent. Giving the "C" to Mayers would be like giving it to Ramage in '89, and we all know how the Leafs love to repeat history.

Comments

[Double Ecks]

What the heck. Go for it.
Give the C to Finger. He represents possibly the biggest culture change yet witnessed for the Leafs.
No more overpaying veterans you know are past their "bet used before _______" date.
If you're going to overpay, at least overpay for someone with potential!

[Dave]

The first thing I thought of when it appeared that Captain Sundin would not likely return was that nobody on that team qualifies as a replacement. If there is one point of pride in the past 40 years, it's that there have been outstanding captains. Let's keep it that way.

[Ryan]

Kevin,

You think McCabe?

I don't think McCabe deserves anymore than 3 minutes on the ice during practice, than give him more responsibility.

Only "fans" under the age of 18 would say something as ridiculous as that!

[dav]

DARCY TUC... oh,right...he's bleeding teal and plum now.
kaberle most deserves it, but of course he'll get thrown to the dogs for not being a 'tough guy with grit and heart' (read as 'canadian') people will overlook the fact that nik lidstrom has done a wonderful job in detroit and blame every loss on kabs until he succumbs and agrees to be dealt away from the media frenzy. though it won't be in any package deal with mccabe as someone else mentioned... no other team in the nhl is dumb enough to take those two together and tie up 10mil a year in a premier (kabs) and flash-in-the-pan (mccabe)dman tandem.

[KD]

I don't know if they plan to bring him back next year, but wasn't Bates Battaglia the captain of the Marlies last year?

[Don]

I suspect that coach Wilson would want to meet his players before anyone gets named captain. July is hardly the time. If the sky falls in and Sundin comes back to the Leafs, then he is captain. Thats the only way the Leafs have a captain in July.
Stajan gets my vote. At 22 he was the Leafs rep for the players assoc. during the strike year. That counts for something, the rest of his teammates vote a player in for something like that. He's plays both ends of the rink, but will never fill the net on a regular basis. Willing to sacrifice his body, I remember a blocked shot of his, near the end of the season, outstanding.

[Mulvi]

Folks, there is really only one choice here.

Bryan McCabe. As one of the "Muskoka 5" is he not the perfect leader for this disfunctional bunch.

Who knows, the extra responsibility and honor might cause him to forgo his no movement clause. Or, God forbid, inspire him to actually earn his keep.

Mulvi

[Bill]

I am sick of hearing about Sundin`s plight and his need to have more time to decide on what team he will grace with his presence.
With the world in turmoil, possibly on the verge of a recession.... and this guy is whimping around like some spoiled child. I say he should take his millions.."Made In Canada", return to Sweden and spare us any more of his sad looking face in the newspapers.
We should all be so distraught.

[Bob]

If Sundin abandons the Leafs, why not try to bring in someone like Shanahan for a year or two. He gets to end his career in his hometown, gives the Leafs some veteran leadership, and they get a decent "filler" Captain until someone like a Stajan is deemed ready. May not exactly be Shanahan's preference but worth a try.

[Jordan]

Just looking and the potential candidates makes me throw up in my mouth thinking that my ticket renewal payment is coming up shortly

[kennyd]

Stajan will be Toronto's next Captain and anyone who has been a Leaf fan for more than 5 minutes knows that. The Captain next year however will be Mats I hope. Sundin is a Leaf and if he ends his career anywhere but T.O. it would be sad.
Leafs will be much improved next year if for no other reason they will have something that's been lacking for a while and that is grit. Along with that we have a new coach who is successful and has Leaf paraphanalia hanging in his basement. What does that tell ya. We have great goaltending and a lot of very good players. If we can stay healthy and have #13 lead the way, with a little confidence we can have a very fun season. GO LEAFS GO.

[Don]

What a mess this team is. Fletcher has only made it worse, which is a good thing in the long run. If Sundin does not come back (here's hoping) I would just go with the alternate's this year.
There is no one on this roster that is even close to having the stature required for the job.

[Montgomery Burns]

Jamal Mayers has more heart than any of the Leafs players. Giving him the 'C' makes sense if Sundin does not come back.

[Who gets the "C".....]

Now that we know Sundin is not back for the beginning of the season..what are the Leafs ..and Canucks waiting for..
they both wanted Sundin to be their captains... the Leafs have mentioned alternating Captains by the month....egad.
That would prove once and for all that the Toronto Maple Leafs have dropped as a hockey franchise to the lowest of the low if Sundin has not taken them there already.
The holistic value of the "C" on a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey means nothing... Darryl Sittler.. George Armstrong.. Dave Keon et..al.. here's a glass of toilet water to wash that great feeling you have left in your mouth from putting out your heart and soul for this organization for so long. Dick "wheres my monthly bonus?" Petty... you have managed to bring what once was the greatest organization to the lowest of laughing stock.. equivalent to a second last ECHL team.... if he has any semblance of pride in himself as a human being.. he would leave the Leafs and the city of Toronto in general...go the... away