Looking for Leadership

STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

"Big Blue" seeks leader. But there are no candidates on board right now.

Tomas Kaberle may be coming back to at least start the season with the Maple Leafs, but despite speculation in some corners, it won't be to become the next Leaf captain.

Ditto for newcomers Mike Komisarek and Francois Beauchemin. In fact, GM Brian Burke is setting the bar awfully high in terms of finding the player who will next wear the "C" in Toronto, making it a virtual certainty the club will again not have a captain this season.

"Look, we're Big Blue," he said yesterday. "We're not naming a captain until we have someone who can rank with the captains that have come before."

And we're not talking Rob Ramage quality players. Ramage ended the last captain-less period in Leaf history (1987-89) by succeeding Rick Vaive, but clearly Burke is looking for something more along the lines of Ted (Teeder) Kennedy, who was Leaf captain from 1948-55 and again in 1956-57 and passed away last week.

Its going to take a while to find such a player.

Interestingly, the search for leadership with Toronto is the same process Burke is beginning with the United States Olympic program today on the ice at the Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodbridge, Illinois. Burke is to the U.S. what Steve Yzerman is to Canada, but while the 2010 Canadian team is widely regarded as Sidney Crosby's team, these Olympics are a transition year for the Americans from the generation of stars that included Chris Chelios, Jeremy Roenick, Tony Amonte, Brian Leetch and Bill Guerin. Only Mike Modano - who coincidentally, ripped USA Hockey at the conclusion of the Torino Olympics, remains.

"We had some real warriors represent us for a generation," said Burke yesterday from the U.S. camp. "This is a new generation, and we'll have to see which guys emerge in the leadership role."

Zach Parise looks like an obvious candidate, as does L.A. Kings captain Dustin Brown.

Before that happens, the Americans will begin their 34-man orientation session today by dealing with a controversy, just as Team Canada will have to deal with the Dany Heatley issue next Monday in Calgary.

For the U.S., the status of Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane will obviously attract media inquiries after Kane and his cousin were charged with assaulting a cab driver in Buffalo last week. The plan is for Kane and Burke to address the issue today - they won't have much to say - and then ban all further questions.

Will Canada do the same with Heatley? The Ottawa forward has steadfastedly refused to shed much light on his situation after first demanding a trade earlier this summer, then using his trade veto to block a move to Edmonton.

Is it the job of Yzerman, Mike Babcock and Canadian Olympic organizers to protect Heatley at the team's camp next week, or should Heatley be forced to fend for himself given that he created the mess himself?

I say let the man explain himself. But no doubt it will be the story of the Canadian camp next week.

Comments

[Stanley]

Not sure how the Heatley and Kane situations are parallel. One player is unhappy with his current NHL situation, the other has been arraigned on felony and misdemeanour charges.

[Bold Bravado]

Finally some common sense in the Leafs front office. The storied history wearing the "C” in TO, means it is not something to be handed out just for the sake of having it worn. A quality player able to change the tempo of a game with a goal, a big hit, or a fight! A player who measures up to former captain’s ala Keon, Sittler, Clark and Gilmore. Sure Sundin was a great player of his time, but, was he really the captain?? In my opinion not while Roberts was there! Issue now is finding the player who fits the mold! Burke’s presence has really changed the chemistry of the Leafs and for the better. NHL hockey is back in Toronto!!!!

[Shawn]

The closest thing this team has to a captain right now is Luke Schenn. He has the potential to be a great captain for years to come, but there is no sense in rushing him into that role. If you think being a young defenseman with high expectations on the Toronto Maple Leafs is a burden, try stitching the 'C' on that same 20 year old.

The season should start the way it ended, with multiple 'A's. Let Kaberle keep his, or his confidence will be shot. Hand one to Beachemin, and consider giving Schenn an 'A' just to see how he handles that.

[George Hall]

Do not name a captain. Let it evolve naturally.

[Peteski]

42 years and counting,
Your right Damien, naming a captain from this group of plumbers would be an insult to those who wore the "C" in distant years past. It's gonna be a long year.

[Norman Stahlbrand]

Big Blue?
What does this mean exactly?
To me it means a team that has not won a Cup in almost 50 years.
A team that has not made the playoffs for several seasons, and will likely not make the playoff in the foreseeable future.
Brian Burke needs to get off his high horse and come down to earth.
He can come up with any number of nick names or catch phrases to describe the Leafs.
Not one of those names will change the fact that the team is a perennial loser.
So quit the play acting and big talking Mr. Burke.
Name a captain from among the current batch of losers.
If you are waiting for another Teeder to come along, the Leafs will not get another captain in our lifetimes.
Having a captain should be a requirement.
This isn't house league here in Toronto.
Oh wait, yes it is.

[The Drought Continues]

"Big Blue"? Oh, please. The "Leaf Nation" nonsense is bad enough. In any case, the New York Giants have used the "Big Blue" moniker for many decades. To Bold Bravado: "Gilmore" must have made a real impression - you can't even spell his name correctly!

"Big Blustering Blowhard Buffoon Brian Burke" is more like it!

[Conn Smythe]

'Name a captain from among the current batch of losers.
If you are waiting for another Teeder to come along, the Leafs will not get another captain in our lifetimes.
Having a captain should be a requirement.
This isn't house league here in Toronto.
Oh wait, yes it is.'

Thanks for the laugh, Nerdman. 'Play acting'? 'Big talking'?

Why should having a captain be a requirement? Why should the Leafs have a captain if no one is deserving of the C? An assistant captain can do the same job in the meantime.

[Whopper]

What a joke! No Captain again! Burke et al are a bunch of incompetent clowns. Where are the greats Burke was to sign? It is almost debatable who is worse, Burke or J.P. Riccardi. I guess I will relegate myself to watching the Habs this year, enough of the Leaf circus, enough! The season has not even started and they are signaling they are a losing team.

[Elitehusky]

Possible suggestion, name Toskala captain. Not only has a precedent been set with Luongo, but it would instill a stronger spirit of confidence if the team knew that their "protector of the net" and "stopper of pucks" was also their main guy for leadership.

[Rob Janssens]

"Big Blue" was the nickname given to the Magnificent Don Muraco by his peers due to his choice of colour re: his wrestling tights. What an insult to Muraco that this could now be yet another nickname for the Leafs

[Kevin]

"Big Blue" is also the nickname of IBM, who's logo just happens to be on the boards under the Leaf bench in the photo accompanying this blog entry. As for a captain this year, why bother? There isn't anyone on the team who is truly captain material. Go with rotating alternates and see how different people handle the role. Just don't default to the tough guys - I noticed that it was only a short time after his arrival that May was one of the designated alternates last season.

[Shawn]

"Big Blue" has nothing to do with high expectations or the fact that they are going to be playing rough n' tumble hockey all season. "Big Blue" is used in reference to the Toronto Maple Leafs because "Little Blue" is what Burke calls the Toronto Marlies. He's just distinguishing between the two teams, nothing more.

[Ryan]

"What a joke! No Captain again! Burke et al are a bunch of incompetent clowns. Where are the greats Burke was to sign? It is almost debatable who is worse, Burke or J.P. Riccardi"

Well considering JP has been around for 8 years and can't build a .500 team and Burke has been around for 10 months, I would say JP is worse. Why dont' we wait until the team Burke built plays a full season before qwe all assume he is a incompetent GM.

[Guelphdad]

The Leafs don't need a captain just for the sake of having one. They need a leader, a person to carry the team and his teammates and not just necessarily in leading with points.

This isn't a short-term turnaround. The Leafs have had far too many mediocre seasons wrapped around short but unsuccessful runs in the playoffs.

Look at the big picture and let the staff do their work. I think it will be an exciting season just to see players have to work their tails off just to earn their jobs.

I'm not a Leaf fan but a hockey fan. A solid, hard working team will give their fans something to cheer for and that's a change.

[mario garisto]

Welcome home Damien, i am sure betting you missed all the leaf self loathing, and haters in this city. Anyways, as i have said time and time again Toronto is not a city with knowledgeable fans, we just have fans. What is there not to be excited with here, we have a new face and direction, be content with following this team like a fantasy team (be patient, and enjoy the ride).

P.s. to the guy that said luke schenn deserves and "A", why do you bother with stupid ideas????

[Guelphdad]

Mario, I think for the same reason Crosby got hung with a "C" at a very early age. Teams no longer seem to just want veteran leadership, but to appease their star players.

I agree with you though, too soon for an "A" for Luke, give him another year or two.

[Bryan M]

I think Burke's on the right track both in building the team and not naming a captain. The Leafs are 'Big Blue' in that they are a storied franchise, albeit one that needs to be re-built. That's where Burke has set the bar for himself and the franchise and I'm happy we have a GM who sees it that way.

[Scott CL]

Right on Mr. Burke, a Teeder Kennedy type is exactly what the Leafs need and don't settle for less and look for the USA team to be tough in upcoming years they are producing some excellent players and with Burke and Wilson at the helm they are in good hands.

[mario]

Geulphdad, lets not compare apples and oranges. Crosby was the next captain of pittsburgh the day he put the jersey on, and he proved himself worthy by living up to the hype. The only hype scheen deserves is a quality prospect label. I almost feel people want to give Schenn the C or A just so they can knock him down or have something to talk about. Clearly this team does not have fans that are able to follow an up and coming team or else they would see that what burke is doing is trying to establish a core of players and then fill the holes over the next couple years.

Mario