Calgary Flames: 3 Candidates To Be Named Next Captain

At this said time, there are six teams who do not have a captain. Thus, in this short segment, we will be discussing three players from each team who could end up being given this honor. It is important to note that there is a chance that some of these teams may hold off from naming one. Yet, it is still entertaining to go over their options.

In this piece, we will be discussing the Calgary Flames. With the team losing Mark Giordano to the Seattle Kraken, they are in need of a new leader in the locker room. They are an intriguing team because they could go through a shake-up of some kind shortly.. Therefore, they may end up making changes to their roster before choosing their next captain. We will have to wait and see what occurs.

Matthew Tkachuk LW: Matthew Tkachuk seems like the most likely candidate to be their next captain. He's easily one of their most skilled players and is an integral part of their roster. He also has been an assistant captain for them since his third season in the NHL, so he's shown leadership even at a young age. His hard work ethic and overall tenacity makes him seem like an acceptable choice. He fits exactly what Darryl Sutter wants.

Johnny Gaudreau LW: Johnny Gaudreau has one year left on his current contract. If an extension is signed, he could be a candidate for the C. Even though he is not an alternate captain at this time, it is hard to bet against the team's most offensively gifted player. Although he has not been able to replicate his 99-point campaign during the 2018-19 season, he's still a very good player who warrants some consideration.

Mikael Backlund C: Mikael Backlund is one of the most underrated players in the league. He's played 744 games with the Flames and has blossomed into a strong leader for them. Although he does not have the same skill level as the two players above, he could be worth considering because of his overall experience and time with the team. Furthermore, he plays a very solid two-way game, so he could lead by example. He's a dark horse candidate in my opinion.

Honorable Mention: With Sean Monahan being in the rumor mill all summer, it's hard to envision the Flames making him their next captain right now. However, if bounces back this season with the team, he certainly would raise his chances.

Check out our last piece on the Arizona Coyotes here. In our next installment, we will be looking at the Columbus Blue Jackets.