Will Brooks Laich be the first Cap to touch the Stanley Cup?

by Rob Parker on Apr 3, 2009 3:55 PM EDT

There are a few themes that get touched on regularly throughout the comments here and I think this question does a nice job of tying them together. The two broad themes are: when will the Caps win a Cup, and will Laich be the next Captain. Tied into those themes are several issues that make this question fun to think about (for me).

The first issue you have to resolve is how well you think the Caps will do this year. This can play out 2 ways, either the Caps win the Cup or they don't.

Scenario 1: The Caps win the Cup

If they win the Cup Laich probably won't be the first player to touch the Cup. The Captain receives the Cup from Bettman, Laich is not the Captain, so Laich won't get the Cup. However, the Caps haven't had Clark in the lineup for most of the past two seasons, and haven't given anyone else the 'C' during that time, opting to dress 3 'A's. Poti and Fedorov generally wear an A when they are in the lineup, but both have had durability issues this year. The playoffs are brutal and it is definitely possible that one of those guys won't last (do we even have a shot to win without one of them?). That means Laich could get an A, and, without a C in the lineup, possibly be the first player to touch the Cup. If Clark comes back healthy and helps us make a run for the Cup, then whether or not Laich gets an A is immaterial, since Clark will be wearing the C.

Scenario 2: The Caps lose in the playoffs

If you don't think the Caps are going to win the Cup this year, then you have to determine a couple of other things. Chris Clark has 2 years left on his deal, and unless he is bought out or is traded the Caps would have to strip him of the C to give it to Laich. That seems very unlikely to me, so as long as Clark is still a Capital I believe he will wear the C. Laich very well could be the Captain after Clark's contract runs up, but if the Caps win the Cup in any of the next 3 playoff seasons, Clark will be the first Cap to kiss the Cup (while wearing a Caps jersey). So if the Caps aren't ready now, when do you think they will be ready? With several players with high cap hits and a potential drop in the cap limit, most of our improvements are going to have to be home grown. Do you think the prospects we have will be ready to fill the current holes in the Caps' lineup by the 2011 playoffs (the last year of Clark's contract)? If not, then who becomes the Captain in 2011-12, and will we win a Cup under his leadership?

So, what do you think, will Brooks Laich be the first Cap to touch the Cup?

If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.

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Comments

If (knocking on wood, throwing salt over shoulder, etc) the Caps win in this year, with Clark back in the lineup, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Sakic-to-Bourque type handoff to Ovechkin.

As far as if Laich has the “A”, regardless of the status of Clark…has he been an alternate captain yet this season? Is there a website that tracks who wears the A game to game? I know Ovechkin, Brashear, Poti, Fedorov, Backstrom, Bradley and Green have all worn it at one time or another this year…is there anyone else I’m forgetting?

by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Apr 3, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

Just because Laich hasn’t worn the “A” this season (and I don’t think he has, but could be wrong) doesn’t mean he isn’t in line for the “C.” Bruce has often used that “A” to tell guys he expects a little more from them, leadership-wise (see Green, Backstrom and AO), and Laich hasn’t needed to be told that.

As for the answer to the question… no. I think the best chances for this team may be within the next two years, and I believe Chris Clark will still be the captain of this team during those chances.

Great question, though.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Apr 3, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t questioning Laich’s leadership abilities or his pedigree as potential future captain…I was more curious if he had worn the A yet, since I can’t specifically recall him doing so.

by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Apr 3, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I could have sworn I saw him wearing it one game, though it’s possible I’m confusing him with Backstrom.

Shrug, doubting myself now, but I swear I saw Laich with it.

by OvechkinLaichsSemin on Apr 5, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think Brooks Laich will ever be captain of this team. I think it’s more likely Ovechkin gets the Captaincy, despite my protests.

I'm so sick and tired of the refs explaining the calls like this is the NFL.

by Whiter Mage on Apr 5, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

Ovechkin may get it one day, but Laich is the next captain Captain of this team.

by Yoshietree on Apr 5, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Here’s hoping. Let Ovechkin concentrate on putting the puck in the net, imo. Laich is perfect for the job – great work ethic, speaks fluent english, can address media, gets the team riled up.

I’m not saying Ovechkin can’t do any of the above – Laich just does it better.

by OvechkinLaichsSemin on Apr 6, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions