So, let's make this interesting. Who do you guys see as our captains next year? Who would you like to see as captains long term? Here's my take on it:

2009-2010:

C - Niedermayer
A - Getzlaf
A - Selanne
[A - Koivu], there's a reason why he was captain for 9 seasons.

Long term:

C - Getzlaf
A - Whitney
A - Sbisa/Perry/Ryan/Wiz (If we can keep him)

2009-2010

C - Scott
A - Getz
A - Marchant

2010-2011
C - Scott ;)
A - Getz
A - Whitney

2011-2012
C - Getz
A - Whitney
A - Ryan

09-10
C-Nieds
A-Getz
A-Koivu

10-11
C-Getz
A-Marchant
A-Perry

11-12
C-Getzy
A-Perry
A-Ryan

2009-2010

C - Scottie
A - Getz
A - Marchant

Future:

C - Getzlaf
A - Ryan
A - Perry (if Pronger was an "A", so can be Perry)

Guys, Selanne probably will not retire after this season. Either will Koivu (Probably going to stay with ANA the rest of his career).
Scotty can play another 2-3 seasons and he'll like it! ;D

2009 - 2010

Scotty -C-
Koivu -A-
Getzlaf -A-

2010 - 2011

Koivu -C-
Getzlaf -A-
Wiz - A-

2011 - 2012

Getzlaf -C-
Wiz - A -
Ryan - A - or a veteran presence acquired via free agency in 2010 or 2011... ;)

Matt Belesky is one of the best leaders i have seen. I suspect when he is ready in to play a bigger role in 3 or 4 years he could strong consideratin for a letter

At least for this season. IDK about next season.

Scotty (Captain)

Getz (A. Captain)

Selanne (A. Captain)

2009-2010:
C - Niedermayer
A - Getzlaf
A - Selanne

Future:
C: Getzlaf
A: Perry
A: Ryan

Just happened to read this today:

Carlyle has made it a point to bring younger players into an official leadership capacity as assistant captains, first with since-traded left wing Chris Kunitz in 2007-08 and last season with center Ryan Getzlaf.
“Corey Perry might be a candidate now, (James) Wisniewski,” Carlyle said. “I don’t think players like Saku Koivu need to have a letter on to lead. Does Teemu? Does Todd Marchant?”
Therein lies much of the charm. Carlyle has no shortage of attractive options.

Rest of the article: http://ducks.freedomblogging.com/2009/07/14/leadership-options-aplenty-for-ducks/16153/

Just happened to read this today:

Carlyle has made it a point to bring younger players into an official leadership capacity as assistant captains, first with since-traded left wing Chris Kunitz in 2007-08 and last season with center Ryan Getzlaf.
“Corey Perry might be a candidate now, (James) Wisniewski,” Carlyle said. “I don’t think players like Saku Koivu need to have a letter on to lead. Does Teemu? Does Todd Marchant?”
Therein lies much of the charm. Carlyle has no shortage of attractive options.

Rest of the article: http://ducks.freedomblogging.com/2009/07/14/leadership-options-aplenty-for-ducks/16153/

This is a very good point. He probably wants the younger guys to take more responsibility, while the older guys obviously have a ton of leadership abilities (Marchant, Selanne, Koivu) already.

C - Getzlaf
A - Ryan
A - Perry (if Pronger was an "A", so can be Perry)

C-Getzy
A-Perry
A-Ryan

C: Getzlaf
A: Perry
A: Ryan
I really dislike the idea of having all letters used on (what might very well end up being) one line for practical reasons...

Just happened to read this today:

Carlyle has made it a point to bring younger players into an official leadership capacity as assistant captains, first with since-traded left wing Chris Kunitz in 2007-08 and last season with center Ryan Getzlaf.
“Corey Perry might be a candidate now, (James) Wisniewski,” Carlyle said. “I don’t think players like Saku Koivu need to have a letter on to lead. Does Teemu? Does Todd Marchant?”
Therein lies much of the charm. Carlyle has no shortage of attractive options.

Rest of the article: http://ducks.freedomblogging.com/2009/07/14/leadership-options-aplenty-for-ducks/16153/

Based on that... What will probably happen:
S.Niedermayer-C
Getzlaf-A
Whitney-A

What should happen:
S.Niedermayer-C
Getzlaf-A
Marchant-A

After next season:
Getzlaf-C
Wiz-A
Perry-A

Multiple people have mentioned Whitney. What has Whitney done that makes him a captain candidate? I don't really get a vibe of positive or negative leadership ability from him. He doesn't really stick up for his teammates or anything in a scrum.

Is it just the long term contract?


QP seems like a candidate long term. He seems to be a pretty well-spoken guy in interviews. Although it might not be a good idea to have all the captains on the same line, as viper mentioned.

Beleskey also seems like a good long term choice. He was supposedly a good captain in juniors.

If we get him long term, Wiz seems like a good candidate too. He was supposedly well liked in Chicago. He's a good quote ("It's murder if it's Anaheim, but since it's Detroit it's okay").

Multiple people have mentioned Whitney. What has Whitney done that makes him a captain candidate? I don't really get a vibe of positive or negative leadership ability from him. He doesn't really stick up for his teammates or anything in a scrum.

Is it just the long term contract?


QP seems like a candidate long term. He seems to be a pretty well-spoken guy in interviews. Although it might not be a good idea to have all the captains on the same line, as viper mentioned.

Beleskey also seems like a good long term choice. He was supposedly a good captain in juniors.

If we get him long term, Wiz seems like a good candidate too. He was supposedly well liked in Chicago. He's a good quote ("It's murder if it's Anaheim, but since it's Detroit it's okay").

I mentioned it in my thread in the part "what it will be" because I think RC will give it to him to try and get him to do more for the team. Similar to what he did when he gave to Kunie. It sounds like he's going to give it to a younger guy, even though it should go to Marchant or Selanne. I don't think he will give it to Wiz since he's only on a one year deal. I don't think Whitney should be given any letter, but from the post that had his comments, well I think it will happen. Hopefully not though.

Someone mentioned Koivu earlier in the thread. No way does he one. First off he won't get it over Selanne and Marchant, and secondly he doesn't want to be one. He's said in every interview that he will enjoy being in the background this coming season.

Carlyle has my thoughts exactly, people act like with out a letter marchant, koivu, selanne and others will not be leaders... they definitely will be so give it to a young guy and see if he can step up.

Carlyle has my thoughts exactly, people act like with out a letter marchant, koivu, selanne and others will not be leaders... they definitely will be so give it to a young guy and see if he can step up.

:laugh:

Maybe you have his thoughts exactly

Selanne will probably be the captain for the last game of the season, just for "sentimental" reasons.

Koivu will not get and most likely doesn't even want a letter, he said it himself more less.

Getzy is pretty much our future captain after Scotty retires. I think everyone pretty much is on the same wavelength there. As for A's, I personally think Beleskey will be one once he becomes a regular on the team. From everything I've heard and read he was an excellent captain in juniors, a good leader, and was well respected by everyone. I remember during the last Memorial Cup when he played there was someone on the OHL board who mentioned he's always pretty well read with the rulebook, which would be excellent when dealing with the refs. For the other A, I think it will probably go to a defenseman. Someone like Wiz would be a good choice (once we get him under a longer contract), or perhaps Sbisa or Mitera or someone down the line.

However, I wouldn't rule out Ryan, as I like the way Ryan conducts himself in interviews and in general on the ice. Then of course you add the effect of having veterans out there who can also act as leaders, even without having a letter on their jersey.

You know, I might mix things up.

09-10
Neids get an C (there is not point in reducing him to an A).
Getz gets a permanent A.

Then trade the last A every month between Ryan, Perry, Whitney, Wiz.. and any other youngster that is stepping up into roles on the team.

I know there are a few teams out there (well, I heard of at least one, but I don't remember which :) That alternated their lettering each month. Excuse my ignorance, I don't really track teams C/A/A allocations.

I think the impact of wearing the letter is overrated in most cases. I think Carlyle sees it as a good way to get the young players invested in the team.

He's right, Koivu doesn't need a letter to be a leader or a presence in the locker room. If he says, "shut up and listen," players are going to listen because he has his reps and players would be stupid not to. The same, I'm sure, has gone for Teemu.

I think it will by Scotty, Getz and Perry this year. When Scotty calls it a career, I don't know. I think Wiz should be committed to the team for more than one year before he gets handed a letter. Not sure what makes Whitney a candidate.

Guys, Selanne probably will not retire after this season. Either will Koivu (Probably going to stay with ANA the rest of his career).
Scotty can play another 2-3 seasons and he'll like it! ;D

lol @ the optimism in this post.

Selanne said he will retire after 09-10 season. Koivu said he wants to play 3-4 more years but cant really say if he wants to stay in Anaheim when Teemu is gone. Scotty is not playing 3 more years :laugh:

Selanne said he will retire after 09-10 season.

I read that as well, but it was later declared a mistake in translation by Selanne. He stated he has not made a decision on whether to retire after this season.

Honestly, with Saku around, I could imagine they continue playing in Anaheim for another year if all goes well this season.

I read that as well, but it was later declared a mistake in translation by Selanne. He stated he has not made a decision on whether to retire after this season.

Honestly, with Saku around, I could imagine they continue playing in Anaheim for another year if all goes well this season.

How can it be mistake, when i watched his interview and he said he is done after next season ?

C - Nieds
A - Getz
A - Marchant

Koivu doesn't need a letter to be a leader and he is a lead by example player. He may not call out players in the locker room or be vocal enough on the bench, but he was an effective leader in Montreal by giving 110% every game (regardless of what the media says).

How can it be mistake, when i watched his interview and he said he is done after next season ?
What about the report (http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=12887), on the Ducks website, by the Ducks spokesman, saying:
A report that Teemu Selanne reportedly told a Finnish newspaper that this upcoming season would be his last is untrue. And the guy who says it's untrue is none other than Teemu Selanne.

The daily Helsingin Sanomat quoted Selanne as saying, "The next season is without doubt my last. This time my decision will be kept."

But a Ducks PR guy, wary of Finnish newspaper reports after what the Ducks went through during Selanne's delayed retirement decision two seasons ago, sent a text to Selanne asking him if this report it was accurate. And in no uncertain terms, he said it was not.

Selanne just turned 39 last Friday, and the paper also quoted him on how a player his age fits into today's NHL. "It is a forum for young boys," Selanne allegedly said. "But the right diet, rest and muscle care help to prolong a career. Personally I am injury-free, I feel young at mind and pursue a lot of activities."

Doesn't exactly sound like Teemu Selanne, but the Finnish-to-English translation can apparently produce some doozies.
He's undecided.

I saw the finnish article and it was pretty clear, his direct quote in that article was "this is definetly my last season in the NHL".

It's weird. Helsingin Sanomat (which reported Teemus retirement) is a very good source. It's the largest newspaper in not just Finland but all of Scandinavia. They don't just report any Eklund stuff.

It's weird. Helsingin Sanomat (which reported Teemus retirement) is a very good source. It's the largest newspaper in not just Finland but all of Scandinavia. They don't just report any Eklund stuff.

That may very well be true, but why would he then go on and dismiss those reports later and tell people he's undecided...? Teemu is a straight-up guy and I highly doubt he would give some media stations more valid information than his club. No person in the world would have a problem with him saying he would retire after this season - but when, in response to this reports, he goes on to tell people that's not the case and he's undecided, why wouldn't I believe this newest bit of information to be true?

2009 - 2010

Scotty -C-
Koivu -A-
Getzlaf -A-

2010 - 2011

Koivu -C-
Getzlaf -A-
Wiz - A-

2011 - 2012

Getzlaf -C-
Wiz - A -
Ryan - A - or a veteran presence acquired via free agency in 2010 or 2011... ;)

i'd be completely floored if koivu got captain over getzlaf

What about the report (http://ducks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=12887), on the Ducks website, by the Ducks spokesman, saying:

He's undecided.

Then he just changed his mind after that interview, Koivu wasnt a duck when the interview was made so i guess that has something to do with it.

There's absolutely zero chance of Koivu getting the C, barring craploads of injuries to other players.

It's weird. Helsingin Sanomat (which reported Teemus retirement) is a very good source. It's the largest newspaper in not just Finland but all of Scandinavia. They don't just report any Eklund stuff.

My 2 cents worth is that Teemu has been considering retirement for years now. It's clearly been an extremely difficult decision year after year, and he has developed a habit of contemplating it out loud, the pros and cons of it, maybe just to clear his head and reflect on his own thoughts.

To me the HS interview is another example of that, contemplating, truthful at the time, but reversable. He's been leaning towards retirement before, but has changed his mind afterwards. It may be for real this time, maybe not. He doesn't know, and neither do we.

Having said that, even if Teemu really had his mind made up this time, he would want to keep a lid on it. To me he's an all-around stand-up guy, a solid pro who wants to play by the rules, focusing on the job at hand and pushing aside any idle talk that could create distractions. Also he's been very touchy for years about retaining complete control of his career, however much there is left of it. Rumors taking a life of their own would go against that.

I think the impact of wearing the letter is overrated in most cases. I think Carlyle sees it as a good way to get the young players invested in the team.

He's right, Koivu doesn't need a letter to be a leader or a presence in the locker room. If he says, "shut up and listen," players are going to listen because he has his reps and players would be stupid not to. The same, I'm sure, has gone for Teemu.

I think it will by Scotty, Getz and Perry this year. When Scotty calls it a career, I don't know. I think Wiz should be committed to the team for more than one year before he gets handed a letter. Not sure what makes Whitney a candidate.

I agree that the impact of the letter might be overrated, but I feel it's absolutely essential for one of the better leaders on the team to be wearing at least one of the A's or the C. Being a captain gives you the right to talk to the official. Getzlaf, for all his leadership potential, still gets a bit on the whiny side at times. Selanne also struggles with those issues (with or without the letter, in his case). It's important to have someone who can talk to the officials and not make things worse.