Like the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Vancouver Canucks are searching for someone to wear the 'C' and become the team's new captain.
With former captain Markus Naslund gone to the New York Rangers and alternate captains Brendan Morrison and Trevor Linden gone, selecting a new leadership group is yet another challenge for head coach Alain Vigneault and new general manager Mike Gillis to mull over.
"With (Trevor, Markus and Brendan) gone, it's going to give a lot of responsibility to our players to impact the culture of our dressing room," Vigneault told reporters over the weekend." Those guys were very good leaders, but I still think we have quite a few guys who can have a really positive effect on out group."
That being said, the next two weeks of training camp will provide the backdrop of the selection process. "Mike (Gillis) and I talked about the four qualities we want in a captain," Vigneault explained. "We're going to spend the next few weeks seeing who has those qualities and we'll make a decision."
While there is no shortage of candidates to take over, there's no obvious answer either.
Blueliners Willie Mitchell, Mattias Ohlund, Kevin Bieksa and centre Ryan Kesler are the four players believed to be getting serious consideration to be named the next captain. Based on factors such as age, experience, personality or contract status, all of them have a shortcoming.
But each also brings something different to the table and they all have the respect of their teammates.
"That's something for the coaches to decide and it would be a great honour," said Kesler. "I think we have a lot of guys in this room who could be captain, but I'd be honoured and I wouldn't say no."
The preseason audition for the 'C' is one of many different ways that NHL teams have used in selecting their leader.
Until 1989, the Montreal Canadiens allowed their players to cast a secret vote to decide their captain. When Bob Gainey retired and the votes were tallied the following season, Guy Carbonneau and Chris Chelios ended up tied and both players wore the 'C'. Chelios was traded the following summer and the voting idea was scrapped.
The Minnesota Wild has taken the 'Captain by Committee' approach, giving the 'C' to a different player every month during the regular season. "I never really liked it," said Canucks centre Pavol Demitra, who played two seasons with the Wild. "I think there should be one captain, there should be one guy to talk between the players and coaches."
Twelve months ago, Mitchell was seen as an obvious candidate to take over from Naslund when the time came, but reportedly clashed with Vigneault over the handling of his injuries during the season. Mitchell, who believes his relationship with the coach is better for it, was also part of the system in Minnesota and made it clear that he didn't like it.
"I don't think you give the 'C' as much respect it deserves if too many people wear it," he explained. "That's my personal opinion, other people could feel differently."
Seniority will also play a big factor in the final choice. The departure of Naslund, Linden and Morrison makes Ohlund the team's longest serving player, but he wouldn't bite on whether or not he should be the go-to guy for the role.
"I'm not sure to be honest," he said. "It's the coach's and management's decision and we have a lot of good people. I can see myself and there's a lot of (other) good options here, so I'm sure they're going to figure it out."
Another name that could come up in discussions - but an outside shot at best - is Mats Sundin. That is, if he decided to return to the NHL with Vancouver and signed with the club by the time the puck drops. Gillis' $20 million offer for the unrestricted free agent is still on the table and while he would be a new face in a new atmosphere, it's difficult to ignore his credentials as captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Then again, memories of Mark Messier automatically getting the 'C' upon his arrival 11 years ago still linger.
Regardless of who gets the 'C', the successful candidate will have some big skates to fill. The Canucks have had a great history respected captains that include Naslund, Trevor Linden and Stan Smyl.
"Regardless (of) where you pay, I think it's a lot of responsibility," explained Ohlund. "Especially playing in a market like this. I thought Markus was a tremendous captain and people are going to have different opinions, but we all knew how much he meant to our team. I'm sure at times he thought it was tough. But I'm sure on most days he came in and really felt good about himself."
Written with files from TSN's Farhan Lalji.
TSN's 30 Teams In 30 Days preview of the Vancouver Canucks will be available online on Oct. 3.