Is it safe to say that if a team loses there "Captain" to free agency they are in the rebuilding stages?

Question

There are alot of "C's" not going back to teams this year for one reason or another. That being the case can those teams be ruled out as contenders and in as re-groupers so to speak??

Bonus what El' Cappy-tan did you hate for your team to lose in the past???

Answer 1

Not really. In the Panthers case the captain kind of wore out his welcome. It was time for a change of scenery for Olli.

The Panthers have only had like four or five captains in their time. I really hated to see all go in one way shape or form.I guess Brian Skrudland would be my choice. He was the first captain and he lead to to the finals. Great guy and hard worker as well.

Answer 2

No. 2yrs ago the Wing's lost Steve Yzerman and they did just as well the next yr, making it 2rds farther in the playoffs. Then of course this yr they won it all w/Nicklas Lidstrom wearing the C

In 88 the Oilers traded Wayne GHretzky to LA yet made the playoffs in the next 3yrs including a Cup Win over Boston in 1990 w/Mark Messier as captain

After captain Jean Beliveau retired in 1968 the Canadians continued to win

Good teams can withstand the loss

Answer 3

They are not necessarily ruled out as contenders, just because they lose one player.  When the Devils lost Niedermayer in '05, they did fine - made it to the playoffs, swept the Rangers :-)

Losing Niedermayer sucked, and losing Stevens to retirement was even worse.

Answer 4

Not necessarily.

Answer 5

Not really.We are losing Jason Smith our" Capitan" and we are giving the reigns to Mr. Mike Richards.No rebuilding here.

Bonus-Huge fan of Dave Poulin.