Who will get the second "A" now that Feds is gone?

by Jake Shapiro on Jul 27, 2009 11:10 AM EDT

Simple question: who will replace Fedorov as the Caps' second alternate captain?

I don't know if there's any real information on who it will be, but my vote goes to Brooks Laich. We don't have many "veterans" on the team, and Laich is an underrated, hard-working guy who to me is the model hockey player. He would be a great leader on and off the ice.

Poll

Who's the Caps' next alternate captain?

Nicklas Backstrom

45 votes

Brooks Laich

239 votes

Tom Poti

36 votes

Other

24 votes

344 votes | Poll has closed

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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If history’s any indication, it will probably be Poti.

That said, I think there’s a chance it rotates through guys like Poti, Laich, and Backstrom.

by David Getz on Jul 27, 2009 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

Didn’t Brash wear an ‘A’ as well? Are we looking at replacing 1 A or 2?

by Rob Parker on Jul 27, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

When Clark is out, the Caps generally had three "A"s on the ice. 2007-2008 it was generally Ovie, Poti, and Brash (trying to intimidate the refs much?!). Last season it was Ovie, Feds, and Poti would usually get the third A, sometimes it was Brash, and a couple of times during the horrific injury stretch I saw Nicky wearing it. When Clark is healthy, there’s appears to only be two guys with “A.”

My money is on either Poti because he’s worn it before, or Laich because of this whole apparent “Captain-in-waiting” thing. (Although Bradley with an A might be is hilarious experiment in absurdity)

by RedBirdie on Jul 27, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

Bradley is one of my favorite players on the team, simply from his budding comedic career on Red Line Mondays.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Jul 27, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I can’t remember, has Laich ever worn an “A?” When I saw Backstrom get an “A” I wondered if Laich’s “captain-in-waiting” label came from the fans and media or had ever been alluded to by the organization.

by honed on Jul 27, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Backstrom’s A was likely more about getting him to take a larger role. That’s not something you probably need to convince Laich to do, so the A wouldn’t be sending the same kind of message to him.

by brs03 on Jul 27, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Laich not only has the reputation as the team’s hardest-working player on the ice and in the gym, he has played in 175 consecutive games, the longest streak on the team. Those attributes, Boudreau said, make Laich a candidate to be a captain some day.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/18/AR2009031802779.html

by kellobellow on Jul 27, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks, I was starting to think there was a collective mis-remembering :p

by honed on Jul 28, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions

How about someone with prior leadership experience?

by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jul 27, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

Well, the Caps are undefeated when Brads’ wears the “C”!

by RedBirdie on Jul 27, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

What week was I asleep when this happened? : ] Brads is like the cool older brother I never had… (sorry Jenny)

by war_capitals on Jul 27, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

pre-season game, but I forget which one

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Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.

by Sombrero Guy on Jul 27, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Against the Canes. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/caps-4-canes-1.html

the relevant (or interesting) stuff:
With Chris Clark not on the trip, Bradley wore the captain’s ‘C’. Viktor Kozlov and Michael Nylander got the A’s.

“I was pretty excited that Bruce made me captain and it’s something I enjoyed,” Bradley said before joking, “My record speaks for itself. I’m 1-0. I just went out there and did what I do: get the game winner.”

Boudreau disagreed with Bradley’s version of things, cracking, “He begged for it. …Yeah, he’s 1-0; he’s told me that already.”

by RedBirdie on Jul 27, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe the Caps need to give Nyls a letter to get something out of him. In fact, I have two letters in mind – “F” and “U.”

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by J.P. on Jul 27, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

For all the guy has done over his career I think he deserves a full 3 letters: K, H, L.

by Rob Parker on Jul 27, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Question: would a white Bradley sweater with the C be a jersey foul, or would it be badass?

by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jul 27, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t see how a replica of a jersey that was actually worn by an NHL player in a game (pre-season or otherwise) could be a foul. In fact, I really like the rarities.

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

by J.P. on Jul 27, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

badass like REO Speedwagon

Windy City Hockey

by The Admiral on Jul 28, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I would prefer Brads getting it to anyone else :x

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

by Whiter Mage on Jul 27, 2009 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Brads is the sort of guy who would show up at a press conference and jokingly demand to be addressed as “Dear Leader” or something equally absurd because he has a letter. Which would be awesome.

by RedBirdie on Jul 27, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

“Please please please. It’s Professor Bradley. Thank you.”

by brs03 on Jul 27, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

oh, yes, my bad, I’m sorry. Professor Bradley. And may the Force be with him and all that :)

by RedBirdie on Jul 27, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

And “I automatically get to play on Alex Ovechkin’s line every game”

by red army line on Jul 28, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I like to watch Pulp Fiction and imagine Brads in Samuel L. Jackson’s place.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Jul 29, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I heard Laich say in an interview (quite some time ago, probably around pre-season last year) that Brads was definitely one of the biggest “presences” in the locker room, or something to that effect.

by PaintDrinkingPete on Jul 28, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Good question! Rec’d.

by EmilyB on Jul 27, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

Bruce sometimes uses an “A” to send a message to a guy that he needs to be a leader (ex. Backstrom), so it’s not as simple as a line of succession. No such message needs to be sent to Laich – he already is a leader – so he might not get one.

I’d be surprised if the A’s weren’t on AO’s and Poti’s sweaters on opening night.

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by J.P. on Jul 27, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions

Fedorov was an A? Hadn’t noticed.

"Yes, It is a 'Beautiful Game.' It's because we see something meaningful that we hope to someday, somehow, see in ourselves."

by Bald Pollack on Jul 27, 2009 11:44 AM EDT reply actions

Heh.

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by J.P. on Jul 27, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Poti is the most likely guy, although I wouldn’t write off Brads either. Bruce may like sticking with Backstrom but that might not be a start of the season thing.

Who knows, maybe they go off the board (somewhat) and give it to Knuble.

by brs03 on Jul 27, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions

I was thinking that too. He seems like a potential father figure for the team.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Jul 27, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

No matter the case, it’s a good problem to have a bunch of potential leaders to choose from.

by thehoagster07 on Jul 27, 2009 10:41 PM EDT reply actions

Not always

by Cluster on Jul 28, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Nanananananana LEADER. Nanananananana LEADER.

(Impulsive Simpsons moment)

Rockin' the Red in Section 412

by boutros23 on Jul 28, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

BATMAN!!! I mean, LEADER!

by brs03 on Jul 28, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

While Feds was out hurt last year they “rotated” the A around to a bunch of guys. Any chance they continue in that practice?

Could be kinda like the hardhat, you know if you play your heart out you earn the “A” for the next game…and so on, sorta like an incentive?

Not saying that I think this will happen, just throwing the idea/possibility out there.

by PaintDrinkingPete on Jul 28, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

I feel like if Ovie gets to keep his “A,” the other alternate should be permanent as well.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Jul 28, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

And the "As" go to....

Laich and Bradley should be the alternates. I know that OV was given the “A” because he is a great player, but this should go to leaders on the team. Sometimes the best player isnt always a leader, or has not developed into one yet.

Windy City Hockey

by The Admiral on Jul 28, 2009 5:04 PM EDT reply actions

in this case, i think ovechkin is clearly THE leader of this team. he is the first to answer the tough questions in interviews, he is the leader on the ice, and he is universally respected in the locker room. AO isn’t just a “lead by example” type, from all accounts. personally i don’t see any way he doesn’t get the C once clark moves on, despite BB’s paraphrased comment to TEB about laich.

by Natty Bumppo on Jul 28, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Dis be true.

The only way Ovie doesn’t get the “C” is if for some reason he decides he doesn’t want it. That ain’t gonna happen.

by Cluster on Jul 28, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Already happened, didn’t it. I recall that after his rookie year (Halpern traded) Ovechkin was offered the “C” but turned down the offer because his English was bad

by red army line on Jul 28, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually, Halpern left as a free agent. But the point stands, and you may be right.

by gfcaps fan on Jul 28, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Summer = hockey memory fail

by red army line on Jul 29, 2009 5:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Well one big thing about his English was that he couldnt talk to Refs and such. But when Clark was out it was either him or Brash talking to the Refs when something happened. So I think if it was offered to him now, and he declined, it wouldnt be because of his English.

by amkcaps on Jul 28, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Ovie said somewhere that when he gets really excited or pumped up he has a hard time communicating clearly (in any language!). His Russian and English gets all intermangled and no one can understand him.

by RedBirdie on Jul 28, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d offer that if that indeed did happen, it was waaaaaay too soon and I applaud his decision to decline Captaincy. While Ovechkin’s on-ice performance has been spectacular since Day One, his leadership qualities, willingness to assume accountability, and overall Captain-like persona have only really taken shape the last year to year and a half, in my opinion. Obviously, his intangible qualities of being a leader followed the same learning curve as his ability to speak English. You can’t be a captain if you can’t communicate effectively.

He was not ready then. He is now.

by Cluster on Jul 28, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Too Soon?

Was Crosby ready? Vinny? Toews?

by Scott in Shaw on Jul 29, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Toews is getting good reviews but Crosby’s reputation as a captain is mixed (though, to be fair, his teammates seem to think he does just fine) and giving Vinny the ‘C’ was regarded as a bad decision for the team and the player.

Plus all those guys spoke English.

by David Getz on Jul 29, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Doesn’t mean it was a good decision. Toews and Richards do though

by red army line on Jul 29, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Read DMG’s last sentence above, then add exclamation points on my behalf.

by Cluster on Jul 29, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed completely. Ovechkin is the leader of the team already. He doesn’t fit the standard captain mold like Laich and Bradley do, but don’t let the skill fool you. He is everything to the Caps. They may not give him the C for reasons that have nothing to do with this, but I have to believe that when Clark is no longer the captain, it will be offered to Ovie first.

As Mo once said about Ovie, “he believes, so we believe.”

by grapejoos on Jul 28, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice topic for the dog days. I really wish it was October right now. Can’t take much more of old playoff games on NHL network. Added benefit that it wouldn’t be 116 degrees outside either.

I figure it will be Poti. In any case, as others have already mentioned its nice to have a wealth of leadership to draw from. Knuble and BMo have had letters in their sweaters in the past if memory serves correctly. The letters are nice and all but most teams need different guys at different times to step up and be leaders regardless of who wears the “C” or “A’s”.

by Carl Putnam on Jul 28, 2009 7:02 PM EDT reply actions

Its too bad we can’t give Olie the C cause he’s a goalie…. ooops 3 years too late.

by MetalCap on Jul 28, 2009 7:54 PM EDT reply actions

Roberto Luongo would like a word with you.

by Scott in Shaw on Jul 29, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Ah. You can make him captain, but you can’t give him the C.

by brs03 on Jul 29, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

i would give it back to bradley, he used to wear it and i think he is a clear-cut clubhouse leader

by _stevo on Jul 29, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Also a nose-cut one

by red army line on Jul 29, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

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