When it comes to the game of hockey, former Detroit Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom simply did everything the right way. He played hard every night, he saw the game well, made smart plays, played in all situations and led by example.
Speaking of leading by example, with Lidstrom no longer playing, the Red Wings will need to name a new team captain.
While it is certainly going to be hard to replace a special player like Lidstrom as the team leader, let’s take a look at some guys who will get some serious consideration to be the next Red Wings’ team captain.
Henrik Zetterberg
As of right now, it appears that 31-year-old Henrik Zetterberg is the favorite to replace Lidstrom.
Zetterberg has been on the Red Wings for nine seasons and, like Lidstrom, leads by example every time he steps on the ice. He forechecks, he consistently produces, he is usually one of the best players on the ice and he knows what it means to wear the winged wheel.
Helene St. James, Red Wings’ beat writer for the Detroit Free Press, believes that Zetterberg could very well wear the ‘C’ for the Red Wings.
“Like the two captains he played under, Lidstrom and Steve Yzerman, Zetterberg has that special something.
“Nick talking about the work ethic on and off the ice, he’s that guy,” Draper said. “He’s that guy that goes out and plays at a high level night in and night out. He’s that guy that works hard after games, before games, practice days. He’s always training. He’s been around that culture that Nick was talking about.”
There is no doubt that Zetterberg is a special hockey player. The question is whether or not he is ready to be a special team captain for one of the most storied franchises in the NHL.
Pavel Datsyuk
Like Lidstrom and Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, 33, is another European who has had a lot of success with the Detroit Red Wings.
Datsyuk has been a Red Wing for 10 seasons and has done nothing but remarkable things on the ice for his hockey club. He arguably has the smoothest hands on the team, can stickhandle the puck like no one else in the league and plays extremely well at both ends of the ice.
With that said, it is not known if Datsyuk wants that kind of attention. He seems to be perfectly content as one of the team’s alternate captains and doing what he does best every night on the ice:
Niklas Kronwall
Red Wings’ 31-year-old defenceman Niklas Kronwall also seems to be a logical choice to be the next captain of the Original Six franchise.
Kronwall, who is currently an alternate captain for the team, has been with the Red Wings for eight seasons and has quietly gone about his business as the team’s second best defenceman behind Lidstrom. Kronwall can put up a decent amount of points, can be a physical force in his own zone and in open ice and is someone who sacrifices his body for the good of his team.
Like Lidstrom and Zetterberg, Kronwall has a solid command of the English language and like the two previously mentioned candidates, has become used to the tradition of winning in Detroit.
Kronwall certainly would not be a bad choice but if he does not become the next captain, he will more than likely continue to be an alternate captain for his hockey club.
Danny Cleary
When it comes to the Red Wings, there are obviously a lot of hard working and talented players that can lead by example.
One player who does that well for the Red Wings is 33-year-old Danny Cleary. Cleary has been a member of the Red Wings for seven seasons and in those seasons, has forechecked hard, been able to produce, played in all situations and been the consummate teammate and professional.
Cleary would be a dark horse to be the team’s next captain but based on what he has done in his seven years in the red and white, he should get some consideration.
Jonathan Ericsson
Red Wings’ 28-year old defenceman is another dark horse candidate to replace Lidstrom as the next Red Wings’ team captain.
With that said, he has been with the team for five seasons, has won a Stanley Cup, and learned a lot from his Swedish standout teammate/team captain. Like Kronwall, Ericsson knows how to play a physical brand of hockey and for the most part, is responsible in his own end.
Again, Ericsson is an outside shot to be named the next captain of the Wings but he is young, has been with the team for five years and knows how to play a winning-style of hockey because he learned from the best in Lidstrom.
POLL:
Who do you think should replace Nicklas Lidstrom as captain of the Detroit Red Wings?
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