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Saturday, October 2, 1999
Smith fits 'Old Man and the C' tale
If called upon, Steve Smith will serve.
"In all honesty," protested the big defenceman, stickhandling with diplomacy far more adroitly than he ever has with the puck, "it's irrelevant who gets the 'C' on this team. A lot of people have to lead in their own way. Whoever it is, he has to help the club. That's the only criteria that should be considered when making the choice."
The captaincy of the Flames became vacant Thursday morning when the team dealt Todd Simpson to Florida in exchange for winger Bill Lindsay.
Already, a betting line has been established on the man to succeed him.
Coach Brian Sutter wouldn't tip his hand on who'd be named captain, as early as today, but for what it's worth, Smith is the definitive choice.
He's seen the highs of Stanley Cups and the lows of the now-legendary '86 bank-shot gaffe.
In a perfect world, a captain would be someone with a wealth of experience, the respect of both teammates and opponents, be considered a 'winner' in every sense of the word, and have tutored under fine captains during his formative years. All of which points to ... guess who?
"I feel very fortunate to have played on teams with the quality of people I did," said the 36-year-old Smith. "But some of the greatest leaders didn't have the captaincy when I was in Edmonton. Kevin Lowe for example. But in every thing he did, in everything he said, he let you know he was a leader.
"Mess and Wayne ... well, they might just be the two best captains all-time in the game. And in Chicago, you couldn't help but have great respect for Dirk Graham, a real no-guts, no-glory guy.
"More than anything, I think a captain has to be a leader by example. The old saying 'Do as I say, not as I do' doesn't work in hockey. You have to know the guy beside you is going to the wall for you.
"Hockey, because of the speed, the dynamics and the physical nature of the sport, demands teammwork. In baseball, no one stands beside you in the batter's box. But in hockey, if someone knocks you on your butt, there are five other guys there to help you up.
"It sounds corny but it's true. In this sport, you're part of a group; of a family, in the best sense of the word."
Spoken like a true ... captain.
No, it's quite obvious that Steve Smith doesn't need a letter to be a leader.
But there wouldn't be any harm in making it official, either.
QUICK HITS: Nothing new on the Jarome Iginla front. He remains at home in Edmonton. "Certainly we want Iggy here with us," said Sutter. "But I can't concern myself with who isn't here."
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