Part 2 of the Captain's Log will review the contenders for the position in 2015-16. (Click here for part 1: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=69283&blogger_id=219).
When you look at the past Captains of the Montreal Canadiens you can find some interesting matches between former players and the players on current roster. Let's take another walk down memory lane and see which current Habs match up with their predecessors.
Let's also be clear and state that Carey Price is the unquestioned leader of the Habs. The players take their cues and their confidence from #31. However, after the Luongo fiasco, we are not ready for a goaltender to wear the 'C'. Price can still function as the leader of this team the same way Patrick Roy did. He will just do it without a ceremonial letter sewn onto his jersey.
Guy Carbonneau/Tomas Plekanec.: Two excellent checkers, skaters and penalty killers who were able to consistently pot 20 goals. Carbonneau was never asked to contribute offensively to the degree Plekanec has because he had players like Bobby Smith and Kirk Muller to do the heavy offensive lifting up front.
Chris Chelios/PK Subban: Two mercurial defensemen who could lead their teams at both ends of the ice. Both players could change the complexion of a game with a big hit, a big goal or a great pass. Crowd favourites in the Forum and the Bell centre respectively , the two most recent Habs' Norris trophy winners were both right handed shots who were top 10 D-men of their era.
Mike Keane/Brandon Prust: Two undersized tough guys who never gave an inch. Both of these guys played a rugged team game and earned the respect of their teammates by answering any challenge. Both were also excellent penalty killers.
Vincent Damphousse/Max Pacioretty: Two gifted snipers who patrolled the left wing. Both players were capable of potting 40 goals and both transitioned to become complete two way players midway through their careers.
Saku Koivu/Brendan Gallagher: Two diminutive battlers who were never shy to go to the tough areas on the ice. Both of these #11's left every ounce of the spirit on the ice. Both of these guys set the standard for effort and forced their teammates to match their will to compete.
So who will the next Captain be? Let's review the candidates and pick our guy by process of elimination.
Andrei Markov: Markov is a veteran defensemen and the longest current tenured member of the Canadiens. He was the best player on the team between 2006 and 2009. Injuries interrupted and almost ended his effectiveness, but Markov bounced back after the lockout and still plays a prominent role on the team. Markov turns 37 in December, however, and if he was to be Captain, he would have been named to be the position prior to last season. #79 can contribute to the leadership group, but his time to wear the 'C' has passed.
Brandon Prust: Prust probably would have won a team vote for Captain before last season and there is no denying the positive effects his arrival has had on Montreal's recent fortunes. On a team without much toughness or physical presence, Prust has answered the bell and stuck up for teammates at every turn. Prust, unfortunately, is coming to the end of his contract and will turn 32 in 2016. His body is showing the effects of the style he must play to be effective. #8 is far from certain to be a Hab beyond next season and for this reason he is out for the 'C'.
Tomas Plekanec: Plekanec is the most consistent and the most indispensible Habs forward over the past 7 seasons. All Plekanec does is take the other team's toughest assignment and pitch in 20 goals and 50 points every season. He is a notch below Patrice Bergeron, but can easily hold his own in the conversation for top two-way centre. He, like Koivu before him, is probably asked to shoulder too much of the offensive burden. An UFA after the 2016 season, #14's future is also up in the air. He has been traded by millions of "Habs GM's" already this off-season, but most are blind to the gaping hole his departure would leave. He like Markov had his shot to be named Captain prior to last season. The torch is being passed, unfortunately Plekanec will not be the one to carry it.
Brendan Gallagher: He announced his candidacy for the captaincy with an excellent 2015 playoff run. Gallagher was the most visible and effective Canadiens forward and drove the 12 defensemen on Ottawa and Tampa to tears. He brings a tremendous work ethic and has become a go-to-guy for media requests. In terms of setting the tone, working hard and being a professional, Gallagher fits the bill for the 'C' much like Koivu and Gionta before him.
My issue is that the referees have yet to embrace the qualities that Gallagher displays. Gallagher will take abuse to make a play and is comfortable in an agitator's role. To be effective he must ride the line between playing hard and taking a penalty. Almost every battle #11 enters in front of the opposing net forces the Refs to choose between calling interference on Gallagher or a foul on the defender covering him. The Refs seem to loathe Gallagher because he puts them into a tough position and he is not shy to chirp any member of the opposition. Gallagher's style calls for him to go to the dirty areas to be effective. The punishment he absorbs is the cost he must pay. At some point, maybe not too far in the future, he will gain a measure of respect league wide for his courage and conviction. Right now, he is too much of a lightning rod and until his game matures he is not ready to wear the 'C'.
That leaves Max Pacioretty and PK Subban vying for the 'C'. Each brings unique qualities to the position. Each player seems to fully embrace what it means to be a Montreal Canadien and each player seems hungry to be a leader for their team. In the final installment of Captain's Log, we will break it down and arrive at my choice for the next Canadiens Captain.