2011 NHL Playoffs, Ranking All 16 Captains

To win in the NHL, it takes a great leader.  Being named captain of an NHL team is one of the greatest honors in sports.  It signifies that you have earned the respect of your teammates and coaches alike.

In honor of the great tradition of the hockey captain, we rank the 16 players of the playoff teams who don the "C" on their chest.

16. Buffalo Sabres: Captainless

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 13: Adam Mair #22 of the Buffalo Sabres skates over the center ice emblem during play against the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 13, 2008 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Since Craig Rivet was traded a few months ago the Sabres have yet to name another captain, so by default, they are 16th.  That was easy.

15. Washington Captials: Alexander Ovechkin

Rob Carr/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Verizon Center on March 29, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

475 GP 301 G 614 PTS

Alexander Ovechkin may well be the most talented captain of all 16, but this list is about leadership and accomplishment.  Despite having a very talented team Ovie has yet to achieve postseason success. Though he has achieved the hat trick of regular season awards with the Hart, Art Ross, and Rocket Richard trophies.

14. Nashville Predators: Shea Weber

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - MARCH 31: Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators warms up prior to facing the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on March 31, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Rinne had 27 saves as the Nashville Predators defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-2.

402 GP 80 G 214 PTS +23

Shea Weber was just recently named captain in 2010, but has been anchoring the Predators parsimonious defense since 2005.

13. Los Angeles Kings: Dustin Brown

Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Dustin Brown #23 of the Los Angeles Kings reacts after scoring against goaltender Antti Niemi #31 of the San Jose Sharks in the third period during the NHL game at Staples Center on March 24, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. T

513 GP 141 G 305 PTS

Dustin Brown has been the Kings captain since 2008, and has scored at least 20 goals per season since 2007.

12. Tampa Bay Lightning: Vincent Lecavalier

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 25: Vincent Lecavalier #4 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at St. Pete Times Forum on January 25, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Leafs 2-0. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

GP 934 G 351 PTS 793

Vincent Lecavalier became the second youngest captain in NHL history when he was named captain of the Lightning in 2000.  He was removed from the captaincy the next season, but was renamed captain in 2008.  He has won a Stanley Cup and Rocket Richard Trophy.

11. Philadelphia Flyers: Mike Richards

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: Mike Richards #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates during an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals at the Wells Fargo Center on March 22, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

453 GP 133 G 349 PTS

Mike Richards was named captain in 2008 and led the Flyers to the 2010 Eastern Conference Championship.

10. Vancouver Canucks: Henrik Sedin

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 25: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Philips Arena on March 25, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

810 GOP 157 G 666 PTS

Henrik Sedin has won the Hart and Art Ross trophies and has been the Canuck captain since 2010.

9. Anaheim Ducks: Ryan Getzlaf

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 06: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the San Jose Sharks at Honda Center on April 6, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

430 GP 126 G 415 PTS

Ryan Getzlaf has won a Stanley Cup and been the Ducks' captain since 2010.

8. New York Rangers: Chris Drury

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 19: Chris Drury #23 of the New York Rangers skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on January 19, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

892 GP 255 G 615 PTS,

Chris Drury has won a Stanley Cup and been captain of the Rangers since 2008.

7. Boston Bruins: Zdeno Chara

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 24: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins takes the puck in the third period against the Montreal Canadiens on March 24, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 7-0. (Photo by

928 GP 125 G 407 PTS  +116

Zedeno Chara has arguably been one of the best defenseman of the last five years.  He has won the Norris Trophy and been captain since 2006.

6. San Jose Sharks: Joe Thornton

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 06: Joe Thornton #15 of the San Jose Sharks skates against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on April 6, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

995 GP 306 G 1001 PTS

Joe Thornton, has won the Art Ross and Hart trophies and been the Sharks captain since 2010.

5. Phoenix Coyotes: Shane Doan

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 29: Shane Doan #19 of the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game against the Dallas Stars at Jobing.com Arena on March 29, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Stars 2-1 in an overtime shoot out. (Photo by Christian Pet

1119 GP 296 G 738 PTS,

Doan has been the Coyotes' captain since 2003.  Although not a recipient of any awards or Stanley Cups, you’d be hard pressed to find a more high quality person.  During the work stoppage Doan payed for the health insurance of the Coyotes' training staff.  He's one of the longest tenured captains in the NHL, has played in over 1,0000 games, and has reached 20 goals 10 of the last 11 seasons.

4. Montreal Canadiens: Brian Gionta

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

OTTAWA, CANADA - APRIL 07: Brian Gionta #21 of the Montreal Canadiens skates in a game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place on April 7, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

616 GP, 209 G, 404 PTS

Gionta has been a big player in the NHL despite his diminutive size.  He has scored at least 20 goals every year since 2003 and won the Stanley Cup.  He has been the Canadiens captain since 2010

3. Chicago Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 10: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks awaits a face-off against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center on April 10, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 4-3 (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Im

302 GP 115 G 267 PTS

Jonathan Toews is third youngest captain in NHL history and has already acheived hockey's greatest goal, the Stanley Cup.  While he was at it he won the Conn Smythe Trophy, proving that he was the most valuable member of the Hawks in winning the Championship.  At only 22, Toews has a long, and most likely prosperous, career ahead of him.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 29: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on December 29, 2010 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Penguins 2-1 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett

412 GP 215 G 572 PTS,

Sidney Crosby has done nothing but succeed since entering the league.  He has to his name one Stanley Cup, a Rocket Richard Trophy, and Hart Trophy.  He was named the Pens' captain in 2007, and was the youngest captain in NHL history.  Although unlikely to play in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs, he deserves his due as one of the top captains in the NHL today.

1. Detroit Redwings: Nicklas Lidstrom

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 30: Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings looks on the St. Louis Blues at Joe Louis Arena on March 30, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

1494 GP 253 G 1108 PTS +429

He's the best defenseman since Bobby Orr.  He's amassed four Stanley Cups, six Norris Trophies, and Olympic gold.  He's been the captain since 2006 and at age 40 he still remains one of the top players at his position.