When the COVID-19 outbreak shut down the National Hockey League’s schedule, I opened my inbox for blog topic submissions from readers. SensFan25 asked me to share my choice for the next captain of the Ottawa Senators.
It’s an interesting question, because the Senators have been without a captain since Erik Karlsson was traded to the San Jose Sharks. That means they’ve been without a ‘C’ for basically two full seasons now. The fact that they’ve gone this long without naming one suggests that they might be willing to wait a little longer.
Commonly named suggestions on this topic include Mark Borowiecki (assuming he’s re-signed), Thomas Chabot, and Brady Tkachuk. Each would bring something to the table in the role. Borowiecki is the feel-good story of all feel-good stories; he’s a veteran presence, he’s a local presence, and he’s a presence that has been continuous in an era of great turmoil for the franchise. Chabot is the heir apparent to Karlsson on the Senators blue line; he brings skill, he brings size, and he brings a calming presence that few defenders his age do. Tkachuk is an emotional leader on this team; fans love him, opponents fear him, and he’s been a signal of brighter things to come.
It’s clear that any of the usually suggested options would be a good choice, but the team’s reluctance to name a captain for two years now leaves me wondering if they are waiting on something else. Assuming that the Senators don’t win the draft lottery, Brady Tkachuk would be my pick. If they are lucky enough to win the draft lottery, though? It might make sense to wait just a little bit longer.
Recent history suggests that teams don’t hesitate to name their first-overall picks as captain. Steven Stamkos is captain in Tampa Bay, John Tavares was captain in New York, Sidney Crosby wears the 'C' in Pittsburgh, and Connor McDavid leads the Oilers. The list doesn’t end there either. Not all of those players took the reins right away, but the organizations made clear from the start that they were on the path to that role. If Ottawa is able to take Alexis Lafreniere or whoever else in the first slot of the upcoming draft, my expectation is that they’ll look to do the same thing.
The leadership group mentioned above is more than capable of holding down the fort until that first overall pick is ready to officially assume the role in a year or two, but the job would be marked as his from the second he puts on the Senators hat and jersey. It would be a signal to the team, fan base, and hockey in general that a new era of Senators hockey has begun. It’s the kind of PR win this team could use, which makes me incredibly doubtful that they’d pass it up.
With all that in mind, who is your pick to be the next captain of the Ottawa Senators?
As always, thanks for reading.