Will Kraken Name A Captain After Practice?

Kraken Captain

Seattle Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma keeps teasing the media. Each day, when asked if the club’s 2nd ever captain will be named, he comes back with a “we’ll see” (his answer to me and the group after the game on Wednesday), or “what announcement?”.

The franchise has had one man wear the ‘C’. That would be defenseman Mark Giordano for 2/3rds of the inaugural season before he was shipped to the Toronto Maple Leafs before the trade deadline.

The current roster is veteran laden, with a number of previous Stanley Cup winners, but one man jumps out at me. A man who isn’t a former Cup champion. That would be the “Big Cat” Adam Larsson.

The quiet, often angry (on-ice) Swede leads by example. He’s fierce, he’s a top pair stalwart, and most importantly, he’s not going anywhere.

Compared to worthy veterans like Jaden Schwartz (2 years remaining at age 32), Jordan Eberle (2 years remaining at age 34), or Jared McCann (3 years remaining at age 28), Larsson is a 31-year-old with four years remaining on this contract.

Again, all worthy, but the complete package, including the toughness factor you want your team and captain to convey, makes Larsson the logical choice.

Picking one of the newcomers Chandler Stephenson or Brandon Montour, despite their long-term deals, is highly unlikely and would be a slap in the face to the returning vet’s.

The other scenario sees the club giving the C to young Matty Beniers. He also just signed a long-term deal, the hierarchy loves his attitude and work ethic, and giving young ‘stars’ the job/honor is a trend around the National Hockey League.

Call me old school … I don’t like it. Give it to a man who conveys toughness, solidarity, and an “actions-speak-louder-than-words” mentality (Larsson), rather than to a kid who’s still growing into his body and the NHL game.

Larsson has missed a grand total of one game over the last three seasons.

Then again, this franchise often does the unorthodox, with mixed results. So don’t be surprised either way. AND, don’t be surprised if they again don’t have a captain, although I think Bylsma would definitely prefer naming one.

The team began practice at 10 am on Sunday.