Detroit Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall, Pavel Datsyuk tipped off for vacant captaincy
Now with veteran defenseman and skipper, Nicklas Lidstrom, out of the scene after announcing his retirement from the league following 20 seasons with Detroit Red Wings, Hockey Town’s team will now have to focus on who will be the man to take over the vacant captaincy position.
According to Red Wings’ general manager, Ken Holland, three players come to his mind when asked that question. Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall and Pavel Datsyuk.
All names definitely have the potential to take over the charge of captaincy and lead the team, but it will have to come down to one in the end by the start of the next National Hockey League (NHL) regular season for sure.
"Three probably come to mind, Z, Pav and Kronner," Red Wings general manager, Ken Holland, said after the press conference announcing Lidstrom’s retirement. "They've got the ‘As.' It's hard to really think you're going to take somebody who didn't have a letter and go past guys with letters, barring what we do here over the next six weeks (in trades or free agency). But it's hard to think you're going to bring in somebody from the outside to be your captain, so in all reality one of our [alternates] will likely be the next captain."
Lidstrom was the man who took it over when Steve Yzerman, now general manager of Tampa Bay Lightning, kept it on his jersey for six seasons straight.
For most speculators, Henrik Zetterberg is the most favourite at the moment to overtake the position, but there is no telling at the moment who has been decided to do so by the team.
Kronwall was the only player present during the press conference as the other two were not in town. When asked how he felt about being a candidate for the captaincy, Kronwall definitely showed interest, but in a humble way.
"It's an honour, no doubt," he said.
It will certainly be interesting to see who the Detroit Red Wings choose to be their next captain with some big names on the table. Further updates on the issue can be expected later on in the offseason.
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