Beyond the ‘C’: The Story of the Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are one of the Original 6 teams. They have been a powerhouse team for as long as anyone can remember. They have appeared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the last 20 seasons. These seasons they were led by great captains like Steve Yzerman and Nicklas Lidstrom. After the retirement of Nick Lidstrom shocked the hockey nation, the Wings are left captain-less and starving for another Stanley Cup. This is Beyond the ‘C’: The Story of the Detroit Red Wings.
Growing up in Metro Detroit, I’ve become a big hockey fan, especially of the Red Wings. They are a great team, with great coaches and great owners. They are an all-around great organization, and many players want to be a Red Wing. But, they are without a captain. They are ready to name a new captain, but who should it be? I personally have three favorites for the job, but there is even a fourth possibility.
1) Henrik Zetterberg
2) Niklas Kronwall
3) Tomas Holmstrom
4) Pavel Datsyuk
Henrik Zetterberg is a great forward who knows how to play the game. He is a fan favorite and is definitely capable of being a captain. I’m sure Lidstrom taught his teammates a lot of things. He probably has taught everyone how to be a great captain like he was. Watch and learn. He was a great role model and his players, no matter which one is picked, are going to be a good captain.
Niklas Kronwall may be a far-fetched candidate, but my brother Derek doesn’t think so. He made a very compelling case. He thinks that people would like to see a captain’s C on a Kronwall jersey, and I agree. I wouldn’t buy, no disrespect, a Zetterberg captain jersey. That is because I just see so many Zetterberg jerseys today, that I would feel like I had something everyone else has. Kronwall would be a perfect fit. He is a heavy hitter and a well-respected player among the NHL. I think a captain who can put fear into another player is exactly what we need, and Kronwall is the man to do that.
Tomas Holmstrom was best friends with Nick Lidstrom. He did everything with his fellow countryman. They probably trained together, too. He would also be a great captain because he was basically a captain, learning from Lidstrom. He probably knows Nick’s tricks on being an effective captain and how to communicate in the locker room with the players. If anyone gets it, I hope it is Holmstrom. The only problem is, he hasn’t decided if he plans to retire or not. This will definitely affect the decision-making the Red Wings will have to deal with. Derek and I have a joke about Holmstrom always screening the goalies. We think the goalies get so pissed that they yell “Get out of my crease!” and the defenders just push him down. I think it’s a great thing to get inside the goalies head to the point where he isn’t able to think about stopping the puck, but thinking about getting this jerk out of his crease. He would be a great captain, setting up a goalie screen for his players to score.
Pavel Datsyuk is known for sick dekes and undressing the defenders and goalies. I don’t agree with him being captain though. I don’t see him as a leader, just a player who stands out because he is very skillful. I agree with him being an alternate captain, and yes it’s alternate, not assistant! It’s just I don’t feel he is fit for the role of being captain, but everyone wants him to be. It’s just not right.
My Decision:
Had I been an owner of the Red Wings or the coach, I would have the tough decision between Holmstrom and Kronwall. My initial decision would be to offer the job to Tomas. It would make him make a quick decision to stay or retire. If he turned it down, I would stitch the C on Kronwall’s jersey. I feel with his hits and intimidation, he could lead the Wings to their next Stanley Cup victory.
Closing Argument:
Even though many would disagree, I don’t think Zetterberg would make a great captain. He is kind of like Datsyuk, he’s good, but not worthy of the captaincy. I don’t know, maybe they will name someone else as captain and shock the whole fan base. Who knows?
If you think there is another candidate who is more worthy than the four I’ve talked about, please let me know. You can find me 24/7 on Twitter (@NardoneDylan). Thanks for reading. Until next time.