Can you believe that the Rangers haven’t had a captain since… 2018?!
Ryan McDonagh was the last player to rock the ‘C’ for the red, white and blue, and the void he left all those years ago surprisingly has not been filled since. New general manager Chris Drury has called naming a new captain for the team “I priority” since taking over and he’s got plenty of solid candidates to choose from, including the team’s clear-cut best player Artemi Panarin.
The question is… does the Breadman think he’s the right fight for the job?
While speaking about the possibility of filling the vacancy, the 29-year-old gave as honest of an answer as he could, pointing out that English is not his first language and the issues that could come along with that. Panarin added that he doesn’t need a letter in order for his players to listen to him as well.
"I think I'm more effective in hockey," Panarin said. "And I'm afraid that I won't be an effective captain. I even don't speak English. How can I motivate? I can only influence with my own game. And they will listen to me without any letters."
And when it comes down to it… he simply doesn’t want it!
"I think we have more deserving candidates for that role now," Panarin said Friday. "Would I want it? I'd rather say no, actually.
"It's not just putting a letter on the sweater and walking around taking pictures. It's a lot of rough work in the locker room. And it's not just about playing good hockey. You also have to give your energy between the periods, motivate guys, giving interviews, being the face of the franchise. Overall, it's a lot of work off the ice."
You can’t help but respect the guy for being honest. It sounds like he just wants to play hockey, and wearing the ‘C’ isn’t for everyone!
So now the question becomes… who will ultimately wear it? Will it be Chris Kreider? Adam Fox? Or a wild card? Time will tell, but there will definitely be a great deal of pressure for whoever does. We’re talking about the New York Rangers here, people!
(H/T NHL)
