Rangers Analysis: Making Richards Captain Would Be A Mistake

Prediction: Whoever wears the “C”, it will have no effect on the season.

I believe in choosing the captain, the players should have more say than the coach(es). Whether Torts thinks this way, I do not know, but I kinda doubt it. I believe if the players had the ultimate sway on this question, Cally would wear the C. If it’s the other way around, I would not be surprised to see Mr. Richards as our new captain. I think, however, this would be a mistake (but hopefully not a fatal one)….

He obviously has no problem confronting authority figures.

The Rangers go into the season Captain-less, Tortorella waits to see how it plays out, and then names a Captain prior to the Winter Classic.

“knows what it means to be a New York Ranger” is meaningless Yankees-esque self-aggrandizement. Callahan should be captain because he’s been leading this group of players by example for a couple of years now and that makes him a good choice to lead them in an official capacity as well.

Callahan already has the fan vote and popularity. Although we love ‘Stache (Dubi), Cally is the guy we all look at as the team’s next leader.

To sew the “C” on Richards’ sweater before he even gets a chance to pull it over his head before he steps out onto the ice for his first game as a Ranger. I can’t imagine the kind of pressure he is already feeling; just signed a huge contract to play in the biggest, most important city in the world, on an original six team, etc. Making him captain would immediately draw comparisons to Mark Messier… which is like trying to be the next Hercules or Zeus.

The best thing the club could do is give Richards the “A” because he is a veteran and a leader. He also has a great reputation around the league for being an honest player and it would be a bonus if he was one of the players on the team to go take some shop with the refs after a few missed or questionable calls (as if that would make a difference, we aren’t wearing Canadiens jerseys). Like Nick said, this is an honor that Ryan Callahan has earned with every shift he has been a Ranger. The guy plays for the name on the front of his jersey and has done stepped up with big play after big play, especially when it comes to killing penalties, giving up his body, and hustle.

Great write up Nick.

If you look at him on the ice yes he should be captain. Off the ice remains to be seen. His interviews are very cookie cutter if you ask me, but if he has the locker room behind his back then yes, Captain Cally it is. I have to say I always liked Dubi for the job but Callahan is definitely the front runner.

Worst case scenario, Cally signs somewhere else after his deal is up, and then you…..make someone else captain! Not rocket science. There will be plenty of good candidates.

I have a feeling Richards, as a newcomer and a good guy who wants to get off on the right footing without unnecessary additional pressure, will push for Callahan to get the C.

Does a thread about making Richards Captain (or not) turn into a Huey Lewis discussion, which turns into an American Psycho discussion.

Best site on the internet, aside from Red Tube.

I honestly think the team should just vote on it.

if it were up to me I’d give Cally the C, Richards the A, and have Dubi and Staal alternate the other A home and away.

I feel that with Richards coming in as our savior, first line center, powerplay quarterback, and responsible for Gaborik’s success as well, that’s enough responsibility.

If shit doesn’t work out he could get thrown into the fire. I think its better to give the C to Cally. He has been here, he knows NY, the fans love him more than anything.

But thats just my opinion.

Ok saying that quote by Torts is a vote in Richards favor is like interpreting Katzenbach’s quote on Oswald that the government killed JFK or had something to do with it. It’s the middle of august. Let’s worry about fantasy land trades, and leave reality until training camp starts or even traverse city.

Actually, if you step back and look at it, giving Richards the “C” would make more sense. Would I give it to him? Hell no but it would be the smarter move.

But I think Callahan deserves it and will get it.

+1 for Cally supporters, and I worked for a Capt. Callahan, it just sounds right.

Take at look at all the factors.

Richards is a guy who’s never had a problem producing, has a Stanley Cup ring, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and held a leadership roll on winning teams before.As far as the “pressure” of NY goes, Richards didn’t come her just for the money, he turned down more cash to play here. He knows what’s he getting into, and if he takes the “C” he does it knowing the expectations.

Callahan is a guy who DOESN’T need the stress of leadership taking away from him concentrating his game. Cally needs to worry about notching more then 50 points in a season more then he needs to worry about other people’s game. He got his raise, now he needs to produce accordingly. Let him keep his “A”, but don’t force the “C” on him.

Finally, giving the “C” to Richards sends an even more important message to this team, that it takes more then anything we’ve seen from them to be competitive in this league. We coddle the young “homegrown” guys, and let them know we’re committed to them, but they also need to know that unless they elevate their games, their not going anywhere. These young players have gained their experience, and taken leadership roles on a team that’s accomplished nothing. The last time we won a playoff series, Jagr was on the ice. As a whole, seasons, and even games, have been full of inconsistent play from individual players and the team as a whole. A leader from outside, who has won before, gives a chance to tweak our preperation and approach to the season and hopefully move beyond the problems we’ve had.

Cally has plenty of years in front of him to wear the “C”, now is not the time though.

I’ve previously stated my thoughts on Richards becoming captain, but to repeat myself, it’s ridiculous. And believe me, it has nothing to do with Richards himself. It’s just the fact that a player should not become the captain of a storied franchise like the Rangers before playing a single game in the sweater. It’s an honor thing – a respect thing. And as far as I’m concerned, that honor belongs to Ryan Callahan, who’s been playing for this team and carrying them for many years before Richards was even considered to come here.

Thank you, and completely agree with this whole post. Rec’d.

Of all the threads I’ve read about this question on FB/Blogs/Yahoo/BB/etc. these posts seem the most well-thought out, by far.

My preference has always been Cally, and still is, but some very good points have been made here as to why either a) it doesn’t nor shouldn’t matter if these 2 guys really are both true leaders deep-down or b) BR might deserve the “C”.

The thing I find most curious is, if BR’s so deserving of it in NYC, the supposed media-pressure-packed, fan-scrutinizing capital of the world/league, why the F*** did he not at least wear the “C” in either TB, where he even played for his supposed bud, JT, and actually won the damn Cup/CS & not even later in Dallas?? What does that tell you?

Now, u could still argue that Cally/Dubi/Staal/etc. are much younger and inexperienced vs. BR’s teammates in those cities, but still. And again, to Nicks’ point about Mess coming in with the “C”, Mark was not only a feared, well-respected, commanding, 5-time SC and CS-winning player coming in, but he also actually WORE the “C” during his last Cup in ‘90 after Gretz was shipped to LA. The bottom line is BR has never worn a “C” with ANY team prior, so how is it he’s up for so much consideration now, on top of all the other expectations already heaped on him during his 1st season-to-be in NYC, as was raised earlier? I mean just b/c he signed such a lucrative deal, does that make him more worthy? Look at Gabby. He’s got a star-powered contract and albeit only 1 stellar season of 2 in NY, but he’s NEVER mentioned as a candidate for an “A” or the “C”. I’m certainly not saying MG should have a letter. I’m just saying that $$/yrs or even a single championship/MVP year with the same coach but with 18 completely different players on a Sun-belt team a thousand miles from here does not automatically translate into true leadership both on and off the ice @ MSG, that’s all.

Not only do I still think Cally deserves it, but I think that it would not only NOT weigh heavily on him like it did w/Leetch, but I think it would conversely help propel him even more to the “next level” knowing that not only do his teammates and the fans think he is worthy, but that the coaching staff – the same ones that openly and repeatedly characterized Cally as THE “identity” player for this team both now and in the future – AND Ranger management think that much of him, too. :)

Plus, if they give it to Cally now, and it doesn’t work out for whatever reason (i.e. his production slips, he leaves as a FA, too many injuries, etc.) then u can STILL give it to BR, who, at that point, will have spent only 3 years of his 9 year deal in NYC and hopefully, will have proven himself truly worthy of the honor. On the other hand, if Cally feels just the least bit slighted, u can bet that the issue will be raised when his next FA negotiations come around. And he just may feel he’d be more “appreciated”, heaven forbid, elsewhere. Holy crap! I sure as hell hope not. :(