Captain seeking: Who will Peter DeBoer name Golden Knights’ captain?

By Justin Emerson

Thursday, July 16, 2020 | 2 a.m.

Peter DeBoer made official Wednesday what he’s hinted at since becoming the Golden Knights’ coach in January: For the first time in franchise history, the team will designate a captain next season.

He told reporters on a Zoom call that while he doesn’t want to name one now amid all the return-to-play craziness, he expected to have a “C” sewn onto the front of someone’s jersey when the team comes back for the 2020-21 season.

“We will have one prior to the start of next season,” DeBoer said. “We have great leadership, a big group of guys that have really taken charge and recognized the opportunity, so we’re just going to keep it the way it is until we finish this season.”

Former coach Gerard Gallant was never too concerned with having a captain. Gallant, owner Bill Foley and president of hockey operations George McPhee always said the franchise had “23 captains,” with the implication that one voice didn’t need to be elevated over the others on the roster.

DeBoer, on the other hand, has almost always named a captain. There’s only been one other season in his 12-year career that he didn’t have one — his first year as a head coach in 2008-2009 with the Florida Panthers.

So who will be will the Golden Knights’ first captain? One option stands out above the rest, but for fun, here’s a look at a few options.

Why not Marc-Andre Fleury?

A quicker refresher: Goalies are not named captains. Fleury might be the jovial face of the franchise and the most respected player in the locker room, but there’s an NHL rule against goalies filling the role.

It stems from the logistics of having captains talk to referees in the semi-circle near penalty boxes. Having a goalie skate all the way there and back would delay the action.

A great goalie can carry a team, as Fleury did with his performance in 2018 to secure his spot as a Vegas sports legend. He may forever be an unofficial captain, but he won’t be a formal one.

The long shots

Deryk Engelland — If Vegas would have named a captain before the first season it likely would have been Engelland. He was a local before the Golden Knights existed, gave a moving speech before the inaugural home game and accepted the Western Conference trophy. He’s the oldest player on the roster at 38 years old, the traditional elder statesman who commands respect. But his age means his playing days might be numbered, and it’s more likely the Golden Knights want a captain who’s around for the long haul. Engelland is a free agent at the end of the year, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be with the team again next season.

Brayden McNabb — The steady defenseman has been an alternate captain for multiple years. He’s more of a vocal leader on the ice than anyone would gather from watching his interviews.

Paul Stastny — He’s never been an NHL captain, but he was the Team USA captain for the 2013 World Championships. The biggest thing holding Stastny back is his contract length. Next year is the final year of his deal, and he’ll be 35 years old headed into free agency. Much like Engelland, Stastny may not be considered assuming DeBoer wants someone for years to come.

The contenders

Max Pacioretty — He’s the only current Golden Knight who has been a captain, and he did it as an American in the French-Canadian capital of the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens. He knows the pressure that come with it and the expectation of on-ice performance. But he’s enjoyed being “just another guy” in Vegas, not wearing an “A” as alternate captain and producing on the ice without the media attention that surrounds the captaincy.

Jonathan Marchessault — Ask the media who they want — not who they think it will be — and he’s likely the overwhelming favorite. Marchessault is the best quote on the team, especially after a tough loss, where he’ll often shoulder responsibility and deflect blame from his teammates. He’s energetic, charismatic and has a deep-seated love of being a Golden Knight that lends itself to leadership.

Reilly Smith — He’s probably not many people’s first thought, but he checks a lot of boxes. He’s been one of the most reliable, if not outright best, players for three years now with point totals surpassing the 50 mark each season. He’s another alternate captain who’s unanimously respected in the Golden Knights’ locker room.

Nate Schmidt — A fan favorite, he’d be one of the most marketable captains in the league. He’s known for his infectious smile, but equally capable of capturing the significance of the moment, as he showed with somber, thoughtful answers after the Game 7 loss in San Jose last season. He’s another alternate captain and the team’s representative on the NHL Players’ Association executive board, so he has some clout.

The favorite

Mark Stone — There aren’t betting lines on this anywhere, but he’d be a heavy, odds-on favorite. Let’s run down his resume:

• Elite on-ice performer
• Takes care of the younger players
• Long-term contract
• Highest-paid player
• Vocal, on and off the ice
• Leader on multiple teams (alternate captain in Vegas and Ottawa)

Stone is practically the prototype of a hockey captain. He’s respected in the locker room and throughout the league. He’s all business and plays a complete, defensive game to go along with a near point-per-game offensive production. Acquiring him last February was the most impactful personnel move the team made since the expansion draft. Top prospect Peyton Krebs — much like Senators budding star Brady Tkachuk before him — has credited Stone with taking him under his wing. Stone will also be a Golden Knight for a minimum seven seasons after this one.

Captains are traditionally the best, highest-paid player with leadership skills. It doesn’t take a lot of analysis to realize who that would be for the Golden Knights.

For those interested in buying a new Stone jersey, it might be wise to hold off until the captaincy decision is made official this offseason. His sweater might look a little different next year, with an extra letter stitched on.