We Need A New Captain!!

Why is Elias captain?? Because he leads the team in points every season?? Elias is an awesome player, but the C needs to come off. he doesn't possess the skills a captain should..

Colin White for 2008 (when he comes back)

In the meantime..

Who do you think should be the new captain?

Why is Elias captain?? Because he leads the team in points every season?? Elias is an awesome player, but the C needs to come off. he doesn't possess the skills a captain should..

Colin White for 2008 (when he comes back)

In the meantime..

Who do you think should be the new captain?

Based on last season's performance you can make a case against Elias being the captain. Based on the season before's performance, he was the clear cut choice in my opinion. He came back from Hep A and turned the team around, threw hits, took the move to the second line to spread out the offense in stride and formed a good duo with Langs on that line for a little while, those were all the qualities of a captain. Last year, I think he put to much pressure on himself to keep doing all the things he did the year before without the "C". Maybe he can't handle actually being the captain but to say he doesn't possess the skills when he helped turn the whole team around the season before I think is way off base.

Oh and welcome to the boards. ;)

Elias shouldn't. Neither should White. If Madden can improve his offense, it goes to him.

Why is Elias captain?? Because he leads the team in points every season?? Elias is an awesome player, but the C needs to come off. he doesn't possess the skills a captain should..


The skills? Elias is arguably the most skilled player on this team. I assume your talking about leadership skills, which I agree is one department he lacks in. My vote is for Madden, who has leadership skills.

I don't see your logic. Whats the problem with Elias being the captain. He may be very good in the lockerroom and he's a quiet leader. Nothing wrong with that. Oh and not to mention he is our best player other then Marty.

I'm sorry, but I want a North American center or defensemen. Not a European winger.

a captain doesnt necessarily have to be the best offensive player on the team, but one that can at least score timely goals and make great plays (offensive or defensive) that gives the team that extra push

ugh not another one of these...

:help:

The skills? Elias is arguably the most skilled player on this team. I assume your talking about leadership skills, which I agree is one department he lacks in. My vote is for Madden, who has leadership skills.

Yes, I am talking about leadership skills..

Madden shouldn't be Captain if Sutter is going to play him in the 4th line..

Keep him on the 3rd line at least, then let him be Captain..

I was always under the impression the C went to the biggest leader on the team...not to mention usually a veteran of sorts (some guys as an exception to that rule) not the guy who has the most points, looks the cutest, does the best interviews, or throws the hardest hits.

The captaincy is about leadership, being the man to lead on and off the ice, scoring goals, points, hits, yadda yadda is part of that, but not even close to the real reason why.

I still believe the biggest leader on our team, at least ON the ice, is Jay Pandolfo. I don't know what he does behind closed doors to lead, but he undoubtedly leads by example on the ice so that's one big thing. My second choice would be Zach Parise, not because of his production but his play...he plays like a leader, he plays hard every shift, and that's part of how you lead a team. I don't know if he's a C type leader yet, but I do truly believe that he easily could be.

I'm sorry, but I want a North American center or defensemen. Not a European winger.

why does that matter? I want someone who leads by example and whose play can inspire the team to turn around. Madden works hard and leads by example but inspiring - I don't see him throwing big hits or scoring big goals. Elias on the other hand when he came back from Hep A- anyone remember that game against Montreal, he leveled one of their defenseman, scored a goal and made an amazing pass to Rafalski to set up the game winner. That night he showed the leadership skills that got the team on the right track two seasons ago. There was no denying he was the leader of the team that year...last year, he did not do this at all. Why? I don't know but he was a European winger two years ago and he led us to one of our greatest unbeaten streaks, turn around and a sweep of the NY Rangers. Give him a little credit.

I was always under the impression the C went to the biggest leader on the team...not to mention usually a veteran of sorts (some guys as an exception to that rule) not the guy who has the most points, looks the cutest, does the best interviews, or throws the hardest hits.

The captaincy is about leadership, being the man to lead on and off the ice, scoring goals, points, hits, yadda yadda is part of that, but not even close to the real reason why.

I still believe the biggest leader on our team, at least ON the ice, is Jay Pandolfo. I don't know what he does behind closed doors to lead, but he undoubtedly leads by example on the ice so that's one big thing. My second choice would be Zach Parise, not because of his production but his play...he plays like a leader, he plays hard every shift, and that's part of how you lead a team. I don't know if he's a C type leader yet, but I do truly believe that he easily could be.

The ledger had a great article about Pando getting consideration, and there is some merit to it, I would choose him over Madden personally.

My vote would go to Langs, but since he's not a career Devil the chance of him being named captain is slim.

I just want somebody who can speak perfect english. Then they can tell the refs to F*koff with no accent.

I just want somebody who can speak perfect english. Then they can tell the refs to F*koff with no accent.

ah but if he can say it in another language he might not get the bench minor if they don't know what he is saying. ;)

Right now, we just need a captain.

Can Elias have more than one year with the C before we deem him unfit. Mentally for a lot of players its a tough transistion even though physically not too much changes besides a lil patch of cloth being sewed on. Elias has demonstrated leadership qualities throught his career. I will always site SS#4's retirement ceremony as my basis that he should be captain. Elias gets it. Thats what those tears were about. He stayed for all the right reasons and theres no one other Devil who I'd personally want to be the Cap than Elly. And honestly the C to me is overrated especially on this team. There is a lockerroom full of leaders and captains, thats the atmosphere that has been fostered here in NJ.

Elias needs to keep the C. As stated, he turned the team around when he came back 2 seasons ago with his play. He had 1 bad season with a large part of the team injured all the time, give the guy a break.

Why is Elias captain?? Because he leads the team in points every season?? Elias is an awesome player, but the C needs to come off. he doesn't possess the skills a captain should..

Colin White for 2008 (when he comes back)

In the meantime..

Who do you think should be the new captain?

So, what are these captain skills that Elias is lacking? I’m really curious to know…

Bottom line, a lot of what a captain is judged on happens behind closed doors, so it’s tough for anyone outside the environment to really know what’s going on. Lou obviously thought Elias was captain material, which says a lot when considering all the veteran cup-winning players on this team. I like the fact that Sutter opened up the competition for letters, but ultimately I think Patty will keep the C.

I'm sorry, but I want a North American center or defensemen. Not a European winger.

I hope you're just calling out the fact that a european player has never captained a team to a SC. Other than that this is a ridiculous statement.

Muttley arrives in 3..2...1...


Give someone a C only if they deserve it... If you need to have a letter on your jersey to show leadership that's pathetic. I don't care if we don't have a player with a C on their jersey on opening night as long as we have someone that can rally the guys and take charge

I don't care where they're from or what position they play, but until a Euro leads a team to a cup, I'll be superstitious. You're right though, he was our captain in 05-06, if he can play like that again then he should obviously keep it.

I don't care where they're from or what position they play, but until a Euro leads a team to a cup, I'll be superstitious. You're right though, he was our captain in 05-06, if he can play like that again then he should obviously keep it.

danny alfredson took his team to the cup last year

if only goalies could be captains than we wouldnt be having this converstion

any way.

Elias-C
Madden-A
White/Matty-A

danny alfredson took his team to the cup last year

if only goalies could be captains than we wouldnt be having this converstion

any way.

Elias-C
Madden-A
White/Matty-A

Fair enough.

My vote would go to Langs, but since he's not a career Devil the chance of him being named captain is slim.

Scott Stevens? Not a career Devil.

Langebrunner not being a cereer Devils would have absolutely no meaning to Devils' decision on the captaincy. Langenbrunner has been a Devil for a long time now and will be considered as much as anyone else. I for one wouldn't mind if Langs got the C.

He's a prototypical Devil, he puts the team in first place, does whatever it takes to win and gives 190 % every time he's on the ice. He's also a leader in the lockerroom and he is well respected by his teammates.

The only thing that might hurt his chances of becoming the captain is his current injury and that's why I don't think Langenbrunner will get it. Otherwise, he would've been a strong candidate. He's a Sutter type of guy.

Scott Stevens? Not a career Devil.
Langebrunner not being a cereer Devils would have absolutely no meaning to Devils' decision on the captaincy. Langenbrunner has been a Devil for a long time now and will be considered as much as anyone else. I for one wouldn't mind if Langs got the C.

He's a prototypical Devil, he puts the team in first place, does whatever it takes to win and gives 190 % every time he's on the ice. He's also a leader in the lockerroom and he is well respected by his teammates.

The only thing that might hurt his chances of becoming the captain is his current injury and that's why I don't think Langenbrunner will get it. Otherwise, he would've been a strong candidate. He's a Sutter type of guy.

yea thats what i was thinking too, but stevens was a special player. he would be captain of pretty much every theam he was on as soon as he got there

we dont need a new captain if sutters convinced with his ability to lead. this is retarted. why are there always these. :shakehead

Does anyone around here really think that Marty isn't the captain of this team? Who wears the C is irrelevent.

Why is Elias captain?? Because he leads the team in points every season?? Elias is an awesome player, but the C needs to come off. he doesn't possess the skills a captain should..

Colin White for 2008 (when he comes back)

In the meantime..

Who do you think should be the new captain?

:banghead::banghead: slow down bud. a captain should have half a brain. c. white would not qualify. I say give it to Johnny Wedon'tneedacaptain

Scott Stevens? Not a career Devil.I think Easton meant it in comparsion to Elias, who obviously is a career Devil.

Yes, Brodeur is the captain without the C. Can't really lead more by example than being the best player in your position and being the one responsible for making up for the team's mistakes.

Even though he is young but can lead this Devils team I think Parise should be the captain instead of Elias. If not definitely Madden.

why have we had 3 threads started about this? this has been hashed, rehashed and microwaved....

Yes, Brodeur is the captain without the C. Can't really lead more by example than being the best player in your position and being the one responsible for making up for the team's mistakes.

Yes, but it is also important to have a regular skater wearing the 'C'. It's good to have that guy on the bench who will keep the team going.

Give it back to Elias and groom Parise for the job.

IMO we should do a petition, that Goalies can be as "Captain" of their teams. Brodeur would be the perfect guy :)

This post is just to shoot down the idea of Langenbrunner as captain. Too many times last season I've seen him totally melt down when things didn't go his way. He'd end up taking ridiculous penalties to compound the problem and imo, that is not a good example for the younger players.

SuperJay Pandolfo is my choice and no one on this team is close since Marty is a goalie, Jamie is injured and Brylin isn't North American.

The truth of the matter is that there is really no clear cut choice and that is why Brent Sutter is taking the wait-and-see approach, and so should we.

Sew the C on Lou's suit coat. We all know he's the real captain of this ship.

:banghead::banghead: slow down bud. a captain should have half a brain. c. white would not qualify. I say give it to Johnny Wedon'tneedacaptain

White doesn't even have half of an eye for christ's sake.

To be honest, captaincy is the least of our problems.

Does anyone around here really think that Marty isn't the captain of this team? Who wears the C is irrelevent.

thats the truth, even sutter said he wants everyomne to be a lead. Marty said about elias getting it taken away, that it doesnt matter if he has a C on his jersey he can still be a leader

Give it back to Elias and groom Parise for the job.

This is what I have been saying since I heard Elias wasn't a lock for it. Parise has something that not many players have, heart.

I think Rich Chere entertained the idea of Pando wearing the C. I support that 100%. Pando is the man and he's respected by everyone. His teammates, coaches, and fans.

We don't need an official captain. I would start the season with three A's and if Sutter wants to appoint or annoint a captain as the season moves along, so be it.

My picks for captain:

1. John Madden
2. Jamie Langenbrunner
3. Brian Gionta
4. Jay Pandolfo
5. Give it back to Elias

Too soon to give it to Zach Parise. Anyway, Marty is really the captain, so...

Madden or Pandolfo would be a good choice for a captain of the Devils.

:banghead::banghead: slow down bud. a captain should have half a brain. c. white would not qualify. I say give it to Johnny Wedon'tneedacaptain

White doesn't even have half of an eye for christ's sake.

Trade #5 and the other White bashers have shown the good judgement to stay out of the way while we fans react to Whitey's horrific injury, and not kick a man while he is down. That is until this post.

If Colin's career is not over and he rehabs his way back into being a productive player again, I'll sew the "C" on his sweater myself.

I hope White can use his good eye to read Trade#5's post and go kick his butt ;)

Even though I do not think Elias makes the most suitable captain, there are a lot of leaders on this team. But the only true leader is between the pipes period end of story. If they are going to give the C to a player it should go to John Madden or Pandolfo.

Trade #5 and the other White bashers have shown the good judgement to stay out of the way while we fans react to Whitey's horrific injury, and not kick a man while he is down. That is until this post.

If Colin's career is not over and he rehabs his way back into being a productive player again, I'll sew the "C" on his sweater myself.

First off. I said nothing about his eye. I'm not kickin the man while he's down, I'm just disagreeing with what someone said.

and on another note. i have kept my mouth shut during this whole injury to white... so there!!

I hope White can use his good eye to read Trade#5's post and go kick his butt ;)

:thumbu: good one

If Pandolfo were captain he would probably be the least skilled player of all time to captain a team. We have enough things for other teams fans to poke fun at.

well i honestly dont know who would make a good capt. Does Sutter and Lou want a long term capt? because zajac and parise would be my best bet for that...but madden and langs IMO would make a fine capt.

Gionta!

i think parise or madden should be captian since they acctually help the guys on there line get better
unlike elias who already has a good line but he shoulnt still be captian just for his points.

"WAYNES WORLD, WAYNES WORLD, PARTY TIME, EXCELLENT:yo:

Does any of the Devils know three asistents system ? Maybe Zubrus from Caps ?

Hope Parise gets it this season. If not him then it should go to Madden.

Hope Parise gets it this season. If not him then it should go to Madden.

Theres a good chance Madden won't be on the team past this year. I dont want a one year captain. Elias is the choice. Besides Brodeur I dont think any other player on this current team has more to do with the success and prestige of this team than Elly. I know Sarge has won 3 cups but he isnt the caliber of player that Patty is. I really find it a bit disconcerning that people wanted to strip Elias of his C off of one year, I hate that mentality that if something doesnt come to fruition right away it has to be changed. Look at the Chargers in the NFL, Marty ball probably would still be getting wins. Rome wasnt built in a day and a Captain doesnt step right into that role and not have an adjustment period.

One more question.... What if Madden sucks with the C? Or Parise? or Pando? Alot of people are assuming that theyd step right in and be Scott Stevens. Elias might not have an improved season as captain this year, but he has a better shot of dealing with it than giving the C to yet another person and seeing how they deal with it.

The truth of the matter is that there is really no clear cut choice and that is why Brent Sutter is taking the wait-and-see approach, and so should we.

Ah, we have a winner here.

A wait-and-see aproach is exactly what it will be.

Ah, we have a winner here.

A wait-and-see aproach is exactly what it will be.

I second this. The fact there is some dissention over who should wear the "C" should be telling enough. If nobody clearly stands out above the rest, why bother giving it to anybody?

One more question.... What if Madden sucks with the C? Or Parise? or Pando? Alot of people are assuming that theyd step right in and be Scott Stevens. Elias might not have an improved season as captain this year, but he has a better shot of dealing with it than giving the C to yet another person and seeing how they deal with it.

Effective communication skills, motivational skills, the will to win and lead, the commanding of respect from teammates and opponents are all major attributes towards being a Captain in the NHL.

Brent Sutter obviously sees some of these traits lacking in Elias' leadership abilities.

After all, if he didn't come to this conclusion, he wouldn't have taken the risk of publicly announcing that the Captaincy is up for grabs and thus run the risk of alienating Patrik Elias. Right? Or perhaps you HF posters know more than Brent Sutter.

I like what Sutter is doing thus far and I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

Hopefully Elias will be professional and not take it personally, and go back to the player we saw 5-7 years ago and for that brief period in early 2006.

good point muttley.... I dont disagree with that.

My main bone here is that it seems that some posters think that whoever else besides Elias getting the C would step right in and not suffer the same learning curve that Elias did last year, thats it. I could honestly care less whos captain because this team is chock full of leadership. lets just drop the puck.