Should goalies captain NHL teams? Wed, October 1, 2008
Roberto Luongo is the 12th captain in Vancouver Canucks' history and first goaltender in club history to serve as captain.
"I'm ready for that responsibility," Luongo said at a news conference yesterday.
Luongo, however, won't wear the C on his jersey, as per National Hockey League rules. Ryan Kesler, Mattias Ohlund and Willie Mitchell were named alternate captains. Ohlund will take ceremonial face-offs.
Rule 6.1 in the NHL rule book says: "No playing coach or playing manager or goalkeeper shall be permitted to act as captain or alternate captain."
Should the rule change to allow goalies to captain NHL teams? Would it slow down the game if the goalie came out of the crease to talk to the referees? Have your say in our forum.
I think naming Luongo captain was a brilliant move by the canucks.The nhl brain trust wants to change the game of hockey with bigger nets and other ridiculous changes but dont want to let a goaltender where the C.Know wonder we are none existant on US tv and sports minds in the united states of america
Pearson, 2008-10-02 15:21:13
I think it should be open to anyone, but I find it hard to see a Captain being the anchor of a team when he's already just that in the net. It's alot of pressure.
gerry, 2008-10-02 10:30:48
Hey Mitch; this ain't no midget or bantam hockey, the players don't vote there captains in at the pro level. Just like at work, you have leaders who step up and lead and you have those your boss picks and promotes. Some of those can, some can't lead. In the Canuks case who would be a Captain??? They haven't had a leader since 2000 when they gave it to Naslund. Neither of the Sedin sisiters is ready nor capable because they have to ask the NHL if they could give 1/2 a 'C' to each of them.
Mike, 2008-10-02 07:43:45
I don't have a huge problem with goalies being captain, but this seems to me to be an appeal to Luongo's ego. The Canucks are rightfully afraid of him not wanting to stay with them; he's made overtures about wanting out if the team is not competitive. This is just a little hook to try and make him more engaged with the team.
As for being the best on the team, I've always had a problem with that. There are so many times that the most skilled player is chosen to be captain when they aren't usually the best person for the job. A guy like Wendel Clark was transformed when you pinned a C on him and he'd go to war for the guys. And the skilled players could just produce and get pumped by him. Then there are guys like Turgeon in Montreal who couldn't stand the limelight and his production slipped from the distraction. I just think that the captain has to be a natural leader like an Yzerman or have a streak of gladiator and the skill set should not be the first prerequisite.
Rick W., 2008-10-01 16:55:15
Soon the waterboy can be captain! LOL
Arthur, 2008-10-01 16:54:30
The rule is there for a reason--to speed up the game. Based on that reasoning, it's doubtful the league would change the rule.
You'd think that the Canucks might have someone else who could be the captain. Are the Canucks that weak that they have to ask their goalie to serve as captain?
kr, 2008-10-01 16:24:52
And why not?...I mean...if the goaltender,like in Lou's case,is one of the proven leader on a team,and one,if not THE very best on the team,then....i'm all for it.After all.....he's on the ice all the time,ain't he? When he sits out a game,then one of the assistants fills the spot.
Besides..I may be wrong here but.....don't the players vote to "elect" their captain? If this is the case, and the players feel that Lou's their man,then go for it.
Mitch, 2008-10-01 15:57:44
Should goalies captain NHL teams?
Pearson, 2008-10-02 15:21:13
gerry, 2008-10-02 10:30:48
Mike, 2008-10-02 07:43:45
As for being the best on the team, I've always had a problem with that. There are so many times that the most skilled player is chosen to be captain when they aren't usually the best person for the job. A guy like Wendel Clark was transformed when you pinned a C on him and he'd go to war for the guys. And the skilled players could just produce and get pumped by him. Then there are guys like Turgeon in Montreal who couldn't stand the limelight and his production slipped from the distraction. I just think that the captain has to be a natural leader like an Yzerman or have a streak of gladiator and the skill set should not be the first prerequisite.
Rick W., 2008-10-01 16:55:15
Arthur, 2008-10-01 16:54:30
You'd think that the Canucks might have someone else who could be the captain. Are the Canucks that weak that they have to ask their goalie to serve as captain?
kr, 2008-10-01 16:24:52
Besides..I may be wrong here but.....don't the players vote to "elect" their captain? If this is the case, and the players feel that Lou's their man,then go for it.
Mitch, 2008-10-01 15:57:44