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Oilers Guest Blog #1. Who Should be the Next Oilers Captain? |
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Ek's Note: Never have I received more interest than in the Oilers job. I have also received some great applicants with writing samples. Over the next few days I will be posting some of these to see what you all think. Today I will begin with a blog from a guy who has shown that he is able to produce consistent content in the myhockeybuzz section of the site. Just look below and you will see his blog. Over the next few days I will post some others that really standout before making a final decision (which honestly may include adding two writers to this hockey crazed market.)
Hey Everybody!
After MacTavish the miracle worker traded Horcoff for Philip Larsson and a 7th rounder this summer the majority of Oilers fans were happy, first off, that the Oilers were even able to get rid of him, and on top of that not have to take any bad contracts back and on top of THAT get a young defenseman that could turn into a NHL regular in a year or 2. But amongst all these upsides there is a hole left by the departure of Horcoff. There is no captain for the Oilers anymore. So who will fill the void? Here's a list of the possibilities.......
Taylor Hall
Taylor is the type of player that leads by example. He does NOT accept losing and lets his teammates know it. He gives it his all every shift, every game and leaves it all out on the ice, and he would expect the same from his teammates. Considering the type of coach Eakins is I think Hall would be a good choice givin that they both have the same philosophy.
The only downside to Hall is he's still young and might not be able to handle the responsibilities that come along with being Captain. Would he be able to shoulder the responsibilities and still excel like Toews and Crosby did? Or would he buckle under the pressure and give up the C like Lecavier? My moneys on excel but only time can tell....
Jordan Eberle
Eberle is more of a quiet leader compared to someone like Hall but he would still be a good captain none the less. When he speaks you can't help but listen. He always knows what to say and is good with the media. He's the type of guy that steps up in clutch moments and can carry a team on his back. We all remember the World Juniors. Clutch. Like Hall, Eberle's young but he has more experience and is more mature than Hall. I think he wouldn't have any problem shouldering the responsibilities. But I could be wrong.....
Sam Gagner
Gagner is as loyal as you can get. After years of trade rumors and being hassled by media he still came out with a smile on his face and respect for his team. You can't help but respect that, not many players would (ahem... Luongo). He would be a great captain on any team. He is respected in the dressing room, well spoken and he always makes sacrifices for his team. You can't help but admire how fearless he is when he fights a 6'5'' behemoth because they chirped Nuge. Fearless. A bit crazy, but fearless. That man has a awesome no quit attitude. A great role model and leader.
Nail Yakupov
Yak isn't one of the typical choices for the new Oilers captain but he could very well be. Yakupov might be immature and a bit of a loose cannon but he has a no quit attitude and leaves everything on the ice. He refuses to loose and he lets his teammates know it. Yakupov just has that raw desire to win. Everyone knows about his celebration at the beginning if the year. That's the type if enthusiasm you need. If he's that excited because he tied a game up imagine him in the playoffs. Electric. He still may not be mature enough but Eakins will be looking for enthusiasm and a diehard, no quit attitude. Yak might just deliver.
Andrew Ference
One of the reasons Ference was brought into the Oilers organization was because he has good leadership qualities and has had Stanley Cup final experience. He has lead the Bruins to the finals and to the cup and he has that quality about him that just makes people listen. He would be a great role model for the kids. Ference could be a great option to be the captain as he's older and could mentor Hall and Eberle so that when Ference retires and they're mature enough one of them could take over the responsibilities of being the captain.
Ladislav Smid
Warrior. That's all I can say. Smid is an absolute warrior. How many times does he sacrifice his body to make a play, stop a scoring oppurtunity or play with an injury? Too many to count. Smid just doesn't give up and will always give 110%. A leader by example. The only problem with Smid is with the log jam on defense he could very well be traded and leave this exact same hole again. Or maybe he would just be the temporary caaptain until Hall or Eberle are ready and then the Oilers can trade him? Just something to think about.
Ryan Smyth
I only have Smyth on this list because everyone would spaz at me if he wasn't here. I have nothing against Smyth. He would be a great captain. He's well respected in the dressing room, he is one of the gutsiest guys in hockey and he's a part of Oilers history. The problem with him is that he won't be playing this year. He's too old and slow and he'll be in the press box the whole year. You can't be a good captain from the pressbox. You have to be on the bench communicating with your teammates. And he wouldn't be setting a good example taking all those slashing and tripping penalties he takes. We don't want the kids to start doing that. And anyway, it would only be a 1 year solution too because this is definatly Smyth's last year. I just don't see the merit in choosing him.
So there are the options. I would personnally pick Hall to be the captain. Considering the type of coach Eakins is and the roster MacTavish has assembled I think the Oilers need a die-hard, never give up role model captain that will let the players know it if they're not giving 110%. The age isn't a barrier I think because Hall is mature for his age and I think he'll strive under the pressure like Toews or Crosby did.
So who do you think will be the next Oilers captain?
by Oilersrule66
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