Philadelphia Flyers: Chris Pronger and 5 Candidates for the Flyers Next Captain
Rumors are swirling that Mike Richards has played his last game as captain of the Philadelphia Flyers. His alleged run-ins with Peter Laviolette have reached a boiling point, and the head coach may opt to strip the 26 year-old of the big C and place it on another one of his star players.
There are even lingering trade rumors , but considering the length of his contract and the salary he hauls in, it's unlikely he'll be dealt any time soon.
What makes a good team captain? Leadership would obviously be the primary qualification, and that's something Richards lacks, according to many. He is, by most accounts, a quiet type whose actions speak louder than his words.
We all know there's nothing wrong with that, and it can be just as effective as screaming from the top of our lungs to get a point across. However, playing in a city like Philadelphia does seem to make Richards the ideal captain. Philly loves it's brash-talking, big-hitting stars that leave their blood, sweat and tears on the ice on a nightly basis.
I personally believe Richards is a great player and would make a fine captain for just about every team in the league. Stories about how Richards may have played in the postseason with pneumonia, along with a pretty serious wrist injury, only serves as further proof that he should remain the captain and one of the cornerstones of the franchise. However I do understand the argument that this is a veteran-heavy team, and having a quiet 26 year-old as captain may not make the most sense.
Let's dive into the world of the hypothetical. Here are five players currently on the Philadelphia roster who could serve as captain if a change was made, assuming they grace the ice for the Flyers in 2011.
Kimmo Timonen
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Since arriving via trade from Nashville (where he was captain before the deal) in 2007, Timonen has been a rock on the Flyers defense. Remarkably, he has only missed six games in four seasons, impressive considering he is now 36 and has played at least 72 games in each season since becoming a full-time NHL player.
Although his offensive output has decreased over the years, Timonen remains a reliable defender that makes the big plays. He has been a first-line caliber defensman for the past decade, and has never received the praise he really deserves for his stellar play.
Timonen would be a solid addition to the list of Flyers captains. He seems to command a certain degree of respect in the locker room, and would have no problem adjusting to such a role. He is the ideal team player, and one who could add the C to his jersey without looking out of place.
Jeff Carter
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When he is at the top of his game (see: 46 goal season in 2008), Jeff Carter is one of the most talented forwards in the NHL. However, he has become a maddeningly inconsistent player ever since. Of course, his statistics are solid year in and year out, but there's a sense that we could see more from number 17.
Carter is one of many Flyers who fans wouldn't mind seeing on the trade block after a disappointing playoff exit. Should he remain in Philadelphia, however, he would be one of the favorites to replace Mike Richards as captain. He is in the prime of his career, and has spent his entire professional life in the City of Brotherly Love.
Jeff Carter would be an excellent captain for the Flyers. His high skill set and level of commitment would demand respect from his teammates. He is the perfect blend of talent and grit, much like the man who may not be the captain for much longer.
Claude Giroux
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One of the few bright young stars the Flyers have in their possession is Claude Giroux. After lighting up the minor leagues before joining the big-league club in 2008-09, the Canadian has never looked back.
He appears to be well on his way to becoming a consistent 30-goal scorer, and a top point-per-game guy in the league. The sky is the limit for this young talent.
It would be interesting to see how the fans would react if the 23 year-old was made captain. This scenario is unlikely to say the least, given the number of veterans Philly has, but Giroux has all the tools to be a captain down the road for the Flyers.
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Chris Pronger
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Chris Pronger would make the perfect captain for the Flyers. He's a leader and bruising defender with a tremendous amount of experience. He has an impressive pedigree, and he's done a very good job leading the Philly defense over the past two seasons.
Pronger has served as captain in his time in St. Louis and Anaheim, and is currently the alternate captain for the Flyers. The biggest concerns with Pronger are his age (37) and health, and it remains uncertain as to whether he will be back in 2011. Below is his unique take on what Mike Richards is currently going through.
"I went through [ups and downs] as a young captain; getting booed, getting mouthed off and wanting to fight guys after games and all the rest of it," Pronger continued. "It's not easy, especially on a team when expectations are this high and fans are this passionate and the media is trying to get the scoops."
Pronger has seen it all in his long NHL career, and closing it as captain of the Flyers would be fitting.
Danny Briere
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Another 30-something star, another former captain. Daniel Briere has had a bit of an up-and-down stint in Philadelphia, but he has provided the fans with many memorable moments. He can certainly be classified as a "clutch" performer, as his 96 points in 97 playoff games would indicate.
Briere is in the middle of an eight-year deal he signed in 2007 to join the club (with a full no-trade clause, mind you), meaning he won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
Briere would be a fine choice as captain. He has been a good soldier throughout his entire career and is often an inspiration with his hard nosed play, despite his lack of size.
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