Hurricanes give Staal the C

Spezza'sGirl · 01-20-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

The winds of change are blowing through Carolina as the Hurricanes announced that they have named Eric Staal as the team's new captain.

"The time has come now for Eric to assume the top leadership role for his teammates,” Hurricanes' general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement. “This is part of the rebuilding process for the Hurricanes, as Eric is the player around whom the team will be structured. We feel confident in Eric's ability to lead his teammates and are excited to begin this next era."

Veteran Rod Brind'Amour had served as the team's captain since August of 2005 and will remain as an alternate captain.

"Rod has been the consummate leader for the Hurricanes since his acquisition nearly 10 years ago," said Rutherford. "He is the only captain in franchise history to lift the Stanley Cup, and he will continue to play a leadership role in our organization.

The 25-year old Staal is the 13th player to serve as captain in franchise history. In 36 games the Thunder Bay-native has 10 goals and 23 assists. He was originally selected second overall by Carolina in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He helped the ‘Canes capture the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history in 2006 and was recently named to Canada's Olympic team.

Staal named Hurricanes new captain

Matt the Aussie · 01-20-2010, 12:32 PM

I can't understand why they would do this.

Isn't Brind'Amour done at the end of the season anyways?

Spezza'sGirl · 01-20-2010, 12:33 PM

I think so. I don't really understand it either. Why they wouldn't let Brind'Amour finish out the season with the C is beyond me.

Alfie11 · 01-20-2010, 12:54 PM

I don't like this move. Brind'Amour is a great leader, even though he's not as effective as he used to be. He was a major reason they won the Cup, with his play and his leadership. He's been around Carolina for a long time (10 years) and is highly respected, and I don't think the Hurricanes management is showing any loyalty to him.

Jasmine · 01-20-2010, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt the Aussie

I can't understand why they would do this.

Isn't Brind'Amour done at the end of the season anyways?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spezza'sGirl

I think so. I don't really understand it either. Why they wouldn't let Brind'Amour finish out the season with the C is beyond me.

I was just about to write that: "Why now??" ...Why not let the season end??

alfie forever · 01-20-2010, 01:41 PM

Brind'Amour being dealt soon perhaps?

Jasmine · 01-20-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfie forever

Brind'Amour being dealt soon perhaps?

Wouldn't surprise me that he retires at the end of this one...so I doubt he's being considered as a trade bait.

Matt the Aussie · 01-20-2010, 01:46 PM

Can you imagine Alfie in a few years time, winding down his career, and then they give the C to Spezza?

That's what I feel this move is like. Kick in the guts to Brind'Amour.

Alfie11 · 01-20-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt the Aussie

Can you imagine Alfie in a few years time, winding down his career, and then they give the C to Spezza?

That's what I feel this move is like. Kick in the guts to Brind'Amour.

Agreed. I didn't like the switching in Dallas, either. (Modano no longer captain; Morrow is)

Matt the Aussie · 01-20-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfie11

Agreed. I didn't like the switching in Dallas, either. (Modano no longer captain; Morrow is)

+1

alfie forever · 01-20-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasmine

Wouldn't surprise me that he retires at the end of this one...so I doubt he's being considered as a trade bait.

A rental perhaps. It all depends on whether or not someone's interested.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt the Aussie

Can you imagine Alfie in a few years time, winding down his career, and then they give the C to Spezza?

That's what I feel this move is like. Kick in the guts to Brind'Amour.

Fully agree here.

Maybe Staal is being a crybaby about not being captain and would do something silly if he didn't get it.

Rayzor123 · 01-20-2010, 04:26 PM

This is just done to get the message across that after this season, it's a changing of the guard in Carolina. Out with the old, in with the new, and they're building the future around Eric Staal, who is now captain. However I don't like the fact this move was done during the season and not at the end.

No doubt about it, Brind'Amour's career is dwindling down, this will likely be his last season, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him, and other veterans on that Carolina Hurricanes team traded by the deadline. Guys like Brind'Amour, Whitney, Cole, Cullen, etc... would all be good additions for a Stanley Cup caliber team. A team like the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, etc...

Rayzor123 · 01-20-2010, 04:48 PM

Rod Brind'Amour could've vetoed this decision, but didn't.

Matt the Aussie · 01-20-2010, 04:55 PM

He's probably in shock.

Goaliethefirst · 01-21-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfie11

Agreed. I didn't like the switching in Dallas, either. (Modano no longer captain; Morrow is)

That is the stupidest change EVER.

Rayzor123 · 01-21-2010, 08:47 PM

Eric Staal has two goals in his first game as the captain of the Hurricanes. Hurricanes lead 4-1 over the Thrashers.

Rayzor123 · 01-21-2010, 09:42 PM

Eric Staal gets the hat trick in his first game as the captain as the Hurricanes defeat the Thrashers 5-2!

JoshLind · 01-22-2010, 12:22 AM

Right player

Wrong time

Rayzor123 · 01-24-2010, 07:53 PM

Hurricanes P% with Brind'Amour as captain: 34.1%
Hurricanes P% with Staal as captain (albeit, 3 games): 66.6%

Staal before being awarded captaincy (goal numbers): 36 GP - 10 Goals
Staal with captanincy (goal numbers) 3 GP - 5 Goals

Staal GPG without captaincy: .27 GPG
Staal GPG with captaincy: 1.66 GPG

Staal is going to flourish with the C on his sweater. Only bad thing this may do for the Carolina Hurricanes is get them out of the 30th place spot in the NHL and not get 1st overall.

*looks at standings* Oh wait, it's already happened.

Rayzor123 · 01-28-2010, 10:09 PM

Another Carolina win tonight, another goal for Eric Staal, he's scoring in every single game since being named captain.

4-1-0 in the 5 games as Staal being captain, 8 goals in the 5 games for Staal.