It's about a leadership group, not exclusively the C. So who has the C and who the alternates are doesn't make a huge difference. That said, there is a message sent by who wears the C and why.

I gave the Jason Smith example. Coming off the disaster that was 2006-07, with a need to restore a more competitive personality as a team, Smith was a good choice as captain even though he was only here for one season.
- bmeltzer

Either be a stud offensively - McDavid, Crosby, Barkov, Matthews etc

Or be someone willing to do anything (hit, fight, yell/scream, play with passion) to get the team going - Jamie Benn, Landeskog, Tkachuk etc

Or be someone who does both - Ovechkin, Stamkos, Bergeron, O’Reilly etc

Guys who just work hard (sometimes) & are fake tough guys like Laughton are not who you should want wearing a C

Because
A. He's still the team's best player
B. No team is going to get rid of every veteran player
C. With 8 years to run on his new deal at 7.75 million per, you aren't going to get back enough value to make the deal.
- BiggE

A. tallest midget. With or without they are not going anywhere. Not a knock on him.

B. Correct. He has been part of this losing process. Need to move on imo.

C. According to some he is easily moveable. You may not get full value though you get rid of a contract and player that will keep you in mediocrity at best for the foreseeable future.

While would likely never happen, he would be an ideal fit for the Rangers. Slot him in at #2 center. The back end of the contract may end up bad as that is the risk you take. They would have a great window the next 4 or so years.

Not true! Having played hockey I can honestly tell you who is wearing the 'C' means a lot. In other sports, like Basketball or Football it really does not matter, but with hockey, the 'C' still carries a lot of meaning and respect. It sets the tone for the team, and I for one would prefer a more vocal captain for this group versus a lead by example type of captain like G was. Cam has not been here long enough for me, so I think Laughton, who was drafted and developed by the Flyers, is the right choice.
- jd250

its why it is the wrong choice.....

Not sure if this was mentioned yet, didn’t back read. While I’m open to giving someone the C, I also wouldn’t be against not naming a captain this year. Have an extra A (or two) and make the decision on who gets the C next year.

Teams with a low level of talent like the Flyers like to enjoy focusing far too much on nonsense like leadership, or effort.

It’s an obsession with this team, the intangibles they so desperately cling to.

If only the glaring lack of talent was focused on with the same passion.

Who should be the next captain? Before answering, lets take a look at the various captains in team history.

Lou Angotti: the most experienced player on the inaugural club and the logical choice to wear the C

Ed Van Impe: while not a superstar, he was, at that time, the teams top Dman

Bobby Clarke: superstar, no brainer selection

Mel Bridgman: hard nosed player who was solid middle six forward. He got the C when Clarke became a player/assistant coach. Personally, I think it should have gone to Bill Barber.

Bill Barber: Barber wore the C for a very short time after Bridgman was traded and until Clarke decided to relinquish his coaching duties and take it back. He was a star player and a heart and soul guy as well.

Dave Poulin: Poulin was a top 6 forward and often played top line minutes at ES between Propp and Kerr. He was also arguably the best penalty killing forward in the NHL during his prime and the definition of a warrior. Without a doubt, the 2nd best captain in club history.

Ron Sutter: Sutter was basically Poulin lite. An ok choice, but the way they did it was extremely distasteful.

Rick Tocchet: Very good player, not a great captain in my opinion. Toc was still too emotional at that point in his career.

Kevin Dineen: Solid 2RW and a good captain. Would have got the C sooner if his dad wasn't the coach.

Eric Lindros: Amazing player, but not a great captain. I get why they gave it to him and it probably had to be done, but again, IMO, Rod Brind'amour would have been the better choice

Eric Desjardins: Handled the C well during a very difficult time, especially when you factor in that he didn't really want it.

Keith Primeau: A very good player, he was the perfect C for Hitchcock.

Peter Forsberg: Excellent short lived choice, too bad he couldn't stay healthy

Jason Smith: As Bill pointed out, he did a great job

Mike Richards: Struggled with the media/pr aspect of the job but he was a fine on ice leader.

Chris Pronger: Too bad he couldn't stay healthy, he would have been a great captain

Claude Giroux: Captained the team through the worst decade in team history. Can't blame most of that on him though.

So, where do they go from here?

My choice would be Couturier. He leaves it all on the ice, is the team's best all around player by far, and plays the hardest minutes and often through various injuries. I like Laughton and understand the relationship between Atkinson and Torts, but the C should go to Couturier. Hayes, IMO, should not even be in the conversation.
- BiggE

My choice as well.

Teams with a low level of talent like the Flyers like to enjoy focusing far too much on nonsense like leadership, or effort.

It’s an obsession with this team, the intangibles they so desperately cling to.

If only the glaring lack of talent was focused on with the same passion.
- FlyerFan3260

How do teams that overachieve do it? Through team D, goalie play, strong coaching and leadership.

Not sure if this was mentioned yet, didn’t back read. While I’m open to giving someone the C, I also wouldn’t be against not naming a captain this year. Have an extra A (or two) and make the decision on who gets the C next year.
- arichardson22

I’d be fine with that.

Without naming names, because I don't think it's fair to do so when I haven't set foot in the locker room (due to NHL Covid restrictions) since March 2020, I get the sense that not everyone avoided sulking or finger pointing last season and that some teammates didn't like it.

So, yes, I would say that there's an attitude or two that needs to change after reflection on last season or it might be better off for all parties to make a trade.

But that's my own speculation.
- bmeltzer

Thank you for your insight!

Zac Mac for Captain. He oozes Flyers hockey.

Scott Laughton? He should never be on the ice enough to handle the captain’s on ice referee communication responsibilities.

If Scott Laughton is Captain of the Flyers material, then we should trade him immediately before his perceived value crashes down to earth to what his actual value is.

If anyone other than Sean Couturier is made captain, Sean should request a trade to someplace where Capt. Obvious isn’t ignored.

Sean Couturier has been the player most other flyers look to on the bench when they make a mistake to see if they are in trouble or asks questions of during play. You can rewatch games and see it happening all the time when they have the camera on the bench.

It’s been that way since Matt Read was here.

How do teams that overachieve do it? Through team D, goalie play, strong coaching and leadership.
- bmeltzer

Talent is the base of all success in this league, or any sport for that matter.

The Flyers continue to ignore the fact that they need to commit to a rebuild to gather enough of a high end core to do anything worth a damn. Trades or FA, are not going to cut it in the current environment.

Flyers obsess over things like locker room dynamics, but I wonder the continued absolute failure in player development will ever be looked at? I haven’t seen anyone removed from those tenured positions although perhaps I am mistaken.

Would love to see the same accountability, effort, and leadership be looked at in the men not on the ice.

Or we can continue on with this charade for a few more years. It’s worked so well after all. Praying for overachieving is a losers strategy.

Jeff Petry
Nate Schmidt
Tyson Barrie.

2 of the 3 will be on the flyers next season.

All this talk of Nick Seeler fighting and Rasmus Ristolainen throwing the body has me fired up for some FLYERS hockey this season. These guys are the sandpaper of my eye.
- StepfordSam

don't forget Mcewen!

Jeff Petry
Nate Schmidt
Tyson Barrie.

2 of the 3 will be on the flyers next season.
- hello it's me 2050

Jeff Petry - 6.25 aav for 3 more seasons with a m-ntc, nmc. There would have to be something significant going the other way in a trade.

Nate Schmidt - M-ntc with 5.95 aav for 3 more seasons. Same goes here in terms of something significant going the other way in a trade.

Tyson Barrie - 2 more seasons at 4.5 aav.

I would be interested to see your trade proposals. Also, why do you believe this? Not saying I disagree or agree, just wondering as to your reasoning.

Who should be the next captain? Before answering, lets take a look at the various captains in team history.

Lou Angotti: the most experienced player on the inaugural club and the logical choice to wear the C

Ed Van Impe: while not a superstar, he was, at that time, the teams top Dman

Bobby Clarke: superstar, no brainer selection

Mel Bridgman: hard nosed player who was solid middle six forward. He got the C when Clarke became a player/assistant coach. Personally, I think it should have gone to Bill Barber.

Bill Barber: Barber wore the C for a very short time after Bridgman was traded and until Clarke decided to relinquish his coaching duties and take it back. He was a star player and a heart and soul guy as well.

Dave Poulin: Poulin was a top 6 forward and often played top line minutes at ES between Propp and Kerr. He was also arguably the best penalty killing forward in the NHL during his prime and the definition of a warrior. Without a doubt, the 2nd best captain in club history.

Ron Sutter: Sutter was basically Poulin lite. An ok choice, but the way they did it was extremely distasteful.

Rick Tocchet: Very good player, not a great captain in my opinion. Toc was still too emotional at that point in his career.

Kevin Dineen: Solid 2RW and a good captain. Would have got the C sooner if his dad wasn't the coach.

Eric Lindros: Amazing player, but not a great captain. I get why they gave it to him and it probably had to be done, but again, IMO, Rod Brind'amour would have been the better choice

Eric Desjardins: Handled the C well during a very difficult time, especially when you factor in that he didn't really want it.

Keith Primeau: A very good player, he was the perfect C for Hitchcock.

Peter Forsberg: Excellent short lived choice, too bad he couldn't stay healthy

Jason Smith: As Bill pointed out, he did a great job

Mike Richards: Struggled with the media/pr aspect of the job but he was a fine on ice leader.

Chris Pronger: Too bad he couldn't stay healthy, he would have been a great captain

Claude Giroux: Captained the team through the worst decade in team history. Can't blame most of that on him though.

So, where do they go from here?

My choice would be Couturier. He leaves it all on the ice, is the team's best all around player by far, and plays the hardest minutes and often through various injuries. I like Laughton and understand the relationship between Atkinson and Torts, but the C should go to Couturier. Hayes, IMO, should not even be in the conversation.
- BiggE

Sean Couturier is a no brainer and I still wouldn’t give it to him or anyone else right now. Does anyone remember when Pronger got hurt and Giroux played out the season with arguably the best season he ever played? I don’t even think G was the organization’s first choice to take over for Pronger when you have named like Kimmo Timonen and Danny Briere in your line up. I think it was the want and the willingness to take his game to another gear or step up as a man in the dressing room which is what gave everyone’s blessing. Sean Couturier is currently our best player but in my opinion the Flyers should play out the season and keep a close eye on Coots for that “want” factor.

Anyone have any realistic trades you’d like to see? Anticipate seeing? Etc?

It seems to me the Flyers need a top 6 center, a truly gritty 4th line (these playoff teams all have such things), and a top 4 RHD.

Eric Lindros: Amazing player, but not a great captain. I get why they gave it to him and it probably had to be done, but again, IMO, Rod Brind'amour would have been the better choice
- BiggE

Definitely shouldn't have been given the C so early in his career.

Jeff Petry - 6.25 aav for 3 more seasons with a m-ntc, nmc. There would have to be something significant going the other way in a trade.

Nate Schmidt - M-ntc with 5.95 aav for 3 more seasons. Same goes here in terms of something significant going the other way in a trade.

Tyson Barrie - 2 more seasons at 4.5 aav.

I would be interested to see your trade proposals. Also, why do you believe this? Not saying I disagree or agree, just wondering as to your reasoning.
- MBFlyerfan

Rumored JVR deal from deadline. Petry wouldn't waive. He will change his mind.

Nate will be part of a blockbuster with Scheifle coming in as well....Ivan/Sanheim and TK

Barrie to improve that PP. Oilers want to move him out it seems. Maybe Oscar as 1 less year and saves some on the cap for the oilers. Not sure how many suitors they will have for Barrie.

Other moves will be made to make room.

Anyone have any realistic trades you’d like to see? Anticipate seeing? Etc?

It seems to me the Flyers need a top 6 center, a truly gritty 4th line (these playoff teams all have such things), and a top 4 RHD.
- mikeyo27

Didn't they just trade for two top four RH defenseman last offseason?

Anyone have any realistic trades you’d like to see? Anticipate seeing? Etc?

It seems to me the Flyers need a top 6 center, a truly gritty 4th line (these playoff teams all have such things), and a top 4 RHD.
- mikeyo27

They should not be signing any 4th line types. They have too many players that they need to see what they have in said players. Allison, Tanner, Issac plus whoever comes out of the blue to get a look.

That being said they will sign one or 2 as that is the Flyers way.

Didn't they just trade for two top four RH defenseman last offseason?
- mickel25

No, just one and a 3rd pairing RHD.

No, just one and a 3rd pairing RHD.
- rayc16

Ellis and Risto are not top 4?

Edit: Whoops I am an idiot.

Again, Poulin getting the C had nothing to do with his point totals. He got it because of his emotional maturity, work ethic, the way he unified the guys in the room and because he was a great spokesman (both to the media and as an intermediary with Keenan).
- bmeltzer

Captains are usually one of the best players on the team. 3rd/4th liners and bottom pairing dmen are almost never made captain.

I'm not Bill, but I'll chime in anyway. When you have back to back seasons as crappy as the last 2, I think there are quite a few players that need to hit the road. Honestly, the only guys I wouldn't be looking to move are Hart, players under 25 with 3 years or less of NHL experience and a few vets like Couts and Atkinson. Everyone else should be on the market.
- BiggE

A lot of players have already hit the road

Raffl
Ghost
Hagg
Voracek
Patrick
Myers
Aube-Kubel
Giroux
Braun

Yandle and Thompson won't be back unless Fletcher is even stupider than we thought.