Tomas Kaberle, Jason Blake, Ian White, Phil Kessel: Maple Leafs New Captain?

One of the questions that come to mind when thinking Toronto Maple Leafs is,who will be their next Captain ?

Likely candidates could include, Kaberle , Blake , White and Kessel . There are however a couple of others that deserve consideration as well.

Niklas Hagman , despite his slow start, is a good player and generally works hard when he's on the ice. When he's playing well, he has the capability to raise the play of his line mates as well.

Alexei Ponikarovski , although leading the team in goals scored with seven, and in +/- with a plus six, is not the most vocal of players, and while Sundin wasn't always the most vocal of players, he was always able to lead by example.

Mike Komiserik , although he was awarded an "A" at the beginning of the season, has done nothing to keep it. In my opinion, to date all he has done is shown how not to lead.

Tomas Kaberle would seem to be the "heir apparent."  Personally, I have never been a huge fan of his. Don't get me wrong, he see's the ice well from his own end, has a very good shot and is a better than average passer. However, I have always felt he was too soft.

Jason Blake in my opinion, could be an effective captain. Putting aside the fact that the Leafs over paid him, in his time as a Leaf, I have seen him fight through serious disease and illness . Not to mention the constant scrutiny he faces because of a–percieved–lack of production.

Ian White is probably the favorite Toronto Maple Leaf player right now. He is currently tied for third on the team in points with 10, and is a +2, good enough for second behind Ponikarovsky. He has a great point shot, good vision and is usually very dependable in his own zone.

Phil Kessel is, unfortunately for him, is ' The Great New Hope '  of the Toronto Maple Leafs . He his lightning fast, and un-doubtedly skilled, and in the future as he matures, may be a great captain. If I were him, though I may be tempted just by the 'status' of being a team captain, I would focus on becoming a better player for the next couple of years first.

I'm not saying that Kessel isn't a good player now, he is, but he has tremendous potential. More than any offensive Leaf in recent years. If I were Ron Wilson , I wouldn't want to risk stifling that with the addition of needless responsibility.

Having said all of that, one could ask, "do they really need a captain anyway?"

I believe that the answer has to be, yes.

I think, that there needs to be a captain, there needs to be, "That Guy" in the dressing room who provides a center for the players, that the players will listen to, and that can take responsibility for and motivate his teammates. 

Last year, I agreed with the idea that Wilson was waiting to see if anyone was going to earn the job. I think now though, he has waited too long.