'Nucks IceMan

Written by: Larry “The Nucks IceMan” Johnson

This really did not come as a surprise to those that follow the Vancouver Canucks. Yesterday Roberto Luongo just confirmed what most of the ‘Nucks Nation had known since the Summer Summit by relinquishing his captaincy.

GM Mike Gillis had stated at the Summit that he was going to talk to Luongo about the captaincy subject and with Gillis’s most recent statement that he would have the final say; it was all a fore-gone conclusion.

It appears that Henrik Sedin is in line for the Captain’s position but I have a question to those reading this article.

If Henrik had not won the NHL Hart and Art Ross Trophies or maybe just one of those, would he still be the top candidate?

Another question is the face of the Canucks. Do the fans want another Swedish player representing their team?

Markus Naslund, who was a former Canuck Captain, took a lot of flack in Vancouver for not being gritty enough.

The mention of being a Swede also accompanied this reasoning but if you ask the Detroit Red Wings, it sure didn’t bother them when their Swedish Captain, Nicklas Lidstrom hoisted the Stanley Cup several years ago.

Henrik has proved in the playoffs and regular season that he can take a licking and keep on ticking.

Chicago Blackhawks have always made the Sedins a target but they have proved that you can be tough in a different way. When you lead your team in points in the playoffs, it shows that you are not going to be intimidated.

Henrik has done just that, so the soft Swede concept has to be tossed out the window. He also seems to be a person that would instil a calming effect on the team during those pressure filled times.

So, why wouldn’t you want your best player, who never shy’s away from the media, is calm, confident and has the respect in the dressing room, to be your Captain?

There are a number of fans that also like Ryan Kesler as their leader, so the choice looks like one of those two players. What Kesler represents is the blue collar, emotional, gritty type of North American player that most fans are used to seeing.

This guy hates to lose, speaks his mind and brings his “A” game on most nights. He has played the last several playoffs injured and most people got on his case for not producing enough.

To me that was an unfair assessment when a player is being limited by an injury. What it shows is his will to compete with the team being first and foremost.

Gillis has also indicated that the captaincy may be decided by a players vote.

Whoever is chosen, the Canucks will have a great leader that the rest of the team will rally around.

As I mentioned in a recent article, look for Luongo to have a Vezina type year now that the captaincy is no longer a distraction.

Next up, the continuing Young Stars Tournament.

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Filed under: Opinion