Later this afternoon at a press conference at the Compuware Sports Arena prior to this evening's Red/White Intrasquad scrimmage, the Detroit Red Wings will
formally introduce
Henrik Zetterberg as the new captain of the hockey club, in place of the retired
Nicklas Lidstrom.
The 32-year old Zetterberg is entering his tenth season in the National Hockey League, all with the Red Wings. The choice of Zetterberg as captain comes as no to surprise to the hockey world, as most realized "Hank" was the obvious
next captain of the Red Wings when he signed his 12-year, $73 million contract. Almost four years to the date of that contract being signed (January 28, 2009), Zetterberg now follows in the footsteps of the franchise's two previous captains in
Steve Yzerman and Lidstrom.
Zetterberg has acknowledged that he learned plenty in observing both men captain the Red Wings over the past decade. The common trait Zetterberg possesses with both #19 and #5 is the ability to lead by example by being the hardest working player on the roster.
Although Zetterberg isn't known for being overly vocal, he certainly will likely be heard more frequently than Lidstrom was as captain. As an alternate captain for the past six years, he has already garnered experience in leading the hockey club.
Whereas when Lidstrom became captain, he was at the height of his playing career and had two excellent forwards in their prime in both
Pavel Datsyuk and Zetterberg to replace the outgoing star veterans forwards in Yzerman and
Brendan Shanahan, Zetterberg may not have that same luxury in replacing Lidstrom on the backend.
Coach Mike Babcock has been adamant in stating he is hopeful someone amongst his current group of rearguards will step up to the plate and take hold of the opportunity provided to them given the extra playing time that will be available with minute munchers like Lidstrom and Stuart gone.
By comparison however, by the time Yzerman and Shanahan left in 2005-06, both Datsyuk and Zetterberg posted 80+ points during that final regular season and had in essense already taken over the reigns of this team offensively. As for the Red Wings during this transition, they are banking on the likes of an Ericsson, Kindl, Colaiacovo, Smith and/or Quincey to seize the opportunity. Unfortunately this time around, it appears to be a much more difficult task given they are all players who are still in varying stages of development.
It goes without saying that Zetterberg will likely receive assistance in leading this club from
Niklas Kronwall, the now "grizzled" veteran of this blue line group. An alternate captain himself, if he is able to elevate his game to a new level, that certainly would undoubtedly help alleviate the pressure on the younger Red Wing defensemen to expedite their development.
The new captain may have said it best when describing why he believes his countrymen in particular (Kronwall and Ericsson), the club's new top pairing, are prepared to continue their evolution as players.
"The good thing about this organization is, they never put players that are not ready out there. You spend a few years, your role gets bigger and bigger, and when they think you're ready, you get the chance to play more."
Ready or not, they will get the chance to play. Can they deliver?
No matter what the outcome is, it's apparent that
Henrik Zetterberg will do his best in leading this club to emulate the rather smooth transition the Red Wings undertook following the retirement of their previous star captain (Stevie Y), which culminated in a Stanley Cup in 2008, only two short years later.
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