New York Rangers Analysis: Choosing The Rangers Captaincy

There are two options for the C: Callahan and Staal. A lot speaks for Cally wearing the C but with all the responsibility Staal gets, I think he’d be a good captain too.

The two As will go to Staal or Cally (whoever will not wear the C) and Brad Richards. Giving Brad Richards an A makes a lot of sense with what the Rangers expect from him. N1 center, leader for the young guys etc. I like Duby but unless Torts decides to rotate the A there’s just not enough As for him to get one.

You could put this team together for less than the Islanders payroll and it would be better (but way older).

Left Wing Center Right Wing
Propsal Niedermayer Selanne
Samsonov Stillman Zherdev
Ruutu Marchant Grier
Moreau Madden Sjostrom

Dave Hannan Brent Sopel
Shane O’Brien Steve Eminger
Ruslan Salei Paul Mara

Marty Turco
Ty Conklin

The captaincy should go to Dan Girardi, IMO. This team has been built on its defense, and Girardi showed that more than anyone over the last 2 years more than he has.
His alternates should be Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky. Although the team has veterans on board, the youth should be put to the test in terms of their leadership. I think they can meet that challenge.

And try not to trade away Staal.
Then we’ll speculate who will be C and A.
For now it’s only BR and Prust who have locked up spot.

I agree you can’t take the A away from Staal as he’s already earned it but I hate the idea of Dubi missing out on the A because he has been an obvious leader especially emotionally. I do however see it going as most of you have said: Cally with the C, BR and Staal with the As. Don’t forget what someone else mentioned about different home and away alternates like 94 though unorthodox this team seems to be a prime candidate for something like that. But I don’t think that will happen. My want is Dubi and Staal with the As and Cally the C but I think it’ll be like I said before.

As I say in threads every now and then, I would say Staal is 4th or 5th down the line in deserving of an A. He is one of the most talented players in the NHL, makes his D partner better and eats up big minutes, but I think Dubi, Cally, Prust and now richards will do more to deserve letters.

Not to sound like a goon monger, but I think a prerequisite for a letter is that you will stand up for your teammates on the ice. Staal doesn’t do that, simply put. The only fight i remember him being in is when semin embarassed himself by slapping him like a bongo, but that overshadowed the fact that Staal turtled on the ice.

As I’m sure someone will bring up, we don’t know what goes on in the lockeroom, which is true, but from what I see (which is all I can use to speculate), Staal is way too bland and behind the scenes to wear a letter for this team. That said, I’m not sure how you can take the A away from him.

They signed the guy to a 9Yr deal and to be a leader of this team. While I do think Callahan has earned the right to be named Captain, I think Staal and Richards will get the A’s.
C – Callahan
A – Richards
A – Staal

Don’t get me wrong, I think Dubi is certainly capable of wearing a letter and has proven he can be a leader on this team. I just have a feeling Torts will want Richards to take on that role more so than even maybe Callahan.

Cally gets the C, Staal gets an A, Richards or Dubi get the A. Pretty simple.

There’s no way they would take the ‘A’ away from Staal and give it to Dubi. That would be insulting. Staal wore it during the year in Prospal’s absence, so clearly he was next in line. If Dubi were to get a letter, it would have to be alongside Callahan and Staal, who already wore them. So if Richards gets a letter (which I doubt) then Dubi will likely be left without one since two others are ahead in line.

Are they hot for him because of what he has done or what his upside still might be. He’s a good player, but he’s a 50-60 point guy in my book. If Rick Nash gained 25 pounds of beer gut or ruptured both achilles tendons and had nerve damage in his hands that resulted in him losing 15% of his stick handling/passing/shooting/finishing ability… he’d be Brandon Dubinsky.

…agree with your cherces, 8k. Next question? :)

C- Callahan
A- Staal
A- Richards

I don’t think it is right to take the “A” away from Staalsy after the team gave it to him last year. I also think that we need to put the “A” on him to make it clear that he is the leader (albeit a young one) of the defensive corps. I think it is essential to have someone in that very young group step-up as the guy who everyone looks to as an example.

Dubinsky is a little too impulsive and fiery for an “A” in my opinion, though that also may be why he would make a great alternate captain.

This must be the first time we have disagreed on something in a long time 8k… I feel empty inside.

….either Dubinsky or Cally for C depending on who they feel is the best leader. For me its Callahan. I like the alternating road/home Alternates.

Cally – C

Home:

Dubi – A

Staal – A

on the road:

Richards – A

Girardi – A

Its gotta be
C- Callahan
A- Staal
A- Dubinksy

but I can totally see Torts snubbing Dubi of the A and giving it to Richards, but damn I really hope Dubi gets it because without that trio of players right there we have no hockey club.

C- Callahan
A- Dubinsky
A- Staal

I could easily see Torts giving it to Richards over Dubi though. I would give it to Dubi though cause he has been here is whole career AND I could see him being offended by not getting it because it means so a great deal to him. Richards on the other hand could lead with or without the letter and will probably not be an concerned by it.

Dubi would probably feel snubbed if Richards gets it over him, where I think Richards would be happy to see the kids lead, especially with all the pressure already on him.

Captain should be Todd White, once we resign him

I just wanted to try out the sarcasm thing.

I doubt Dubinsky comes close to getting an A. Torts didn’t like the way he handled the last contract and I wouldn’t be surprised if the same thing happened again. I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve it, I just don’t think he’ll get it. At least for now.

I would make it:

C- Callahan
A- Staal
A- Girardi

I think Callahan and Staal are keeping there A’s n Richards is getting the C. I prefer he didn’t because in the back of my mind I feel like ON THIS team he hasn’t earned it . Plus I don’t know if he is a quiet guy or one who actually steps up to talk to refs during calls because we barely know him. That’s one thing I liked about Drury when HE DID play he would always talk to the refs. I noticed Prospal was big on that too but ill Shush about Prospal I know some of us r really gonna miss him.

I remember people calling Crosby and Ovechkin locks for All-Star captaincy. Thank goodness the players get to pick all-star C’s. Most teams pick the best marketing choice, makes me sick.

The players should pick the guy to lead them on the ice. My 2 cents.

Does anyone know if Cally actively wants to wear the “C”? I mean, it’s an honor and I think he would do a great job at it, has done a great job already at providing team leadership, but is this something he really covets for this season?

Regardless, if he doesn’t get the “C,” how does that impact him?

Captain- Ryan Callahan. Look, it just wouldn’t feel right if it was anyone else. Every night when the Rangers go out to battle, there is one man that you know, no matter what, even if he’s hurt or beat up, will give you 110%. That man is Ryan Callahan. He represents the never say die attitude of the New York Rangers (at least the 2010 team) and has the support of his teammates, and the fans. I have never seen Ryan Callahan skate slowly towards a puck, or shy away from a player to save himself, or avoid a speeding bullet to save an amazing Rangers comeback (hello, Boston Bruins game) Callahan defines the word captain.

Alternate 1: Marc Staal. I don’t know if he’s the best candidate, but you can’t take away an alternate for no reason in my opinion. I just don’t support that. Sends the wrong message.

Alternate 2: Mike Del Zotto. Sorry, I love MDZ. I’ll change this.

Alternate 2: Brandon Dubinsky/Brandon Prust. No, I’m not just saying this because my name is Brandon. The Rangers can use a guy that’s fiery and willing to fight for his teammates. I feel like it’s a tie between the two, and I’ll defer this choice to the masses. Either way, with the few negatives in their respective personalities, the two have earned their way into leadership roles, and have my full support.

Left Out: Brad Richards. Listen, I know he is a fantastic leader, and he is my first choice to take over in case of injury or failure to live up to expectations of the letter, but he has not played New York Rangers hockey yet. He has not spent a year with this team, he has not gone to battle with this team. He may be a terrific leader, but he can lead without the letter. I like the idea that you have to earn your way to a letter with the Rangers. Just my opinion.

Thoughts?