When I first heard that Bill Guerin was named captain, I assumed it was something that was negotiated and agreed to before he chose to sign here. Basically a prerequisite for coming to the Island. Later that day, I read that he was completely shocked by the move. I was skeptical at first, assuming that it was just a PR move and he really knew all along it was going to happen. But then I watched the video from the press conference, and I believe he was genuinely surprised. While I think Guerin will be a good captain and provide solid leadership, it does pose a few interesting questions.
First, does it make sense to give the "C" to a guy who hasn't spent any time, let alone met, most of the team? He's a veteran player that seems to be well respected, but there's no guarantee how he'll fit in with the team or if he's our best option for leadership in a locker room with other veteran leaders. How does it affect guys like Witt or Sillinger, who have an established presence with the team, to not be given the opportunity to earn the captaincy in camp? If the team doesn't feel Guerin's earned it, will it make it harder for him to command the respect he needs as captain?
Second, being a captain is an honor that most players take seriously. We've seen situations where players have turned down the "C" because they either felt unworthy or unwilling to take on the responsibility (see Jagr, Jonsson). Shouldn't the idea have been discussed with Guerin before the introductory press conference? Maybe he would have felt more comfortable earning it at the end of camp. Either way, he would have had input into how it was done.
My feeling is, there's no real benefit to handing out the "C" the way the Isles did. If you believe Guerin is your guy, give it to him during or after camp. That way, there is a sense that it is earned. Plus, if you learn during camp that he is not the right leader for this team, you have other candidates to choose from. I'm confident it will all work out. Let's hope it does, because after the last few years of Yashin's mismatched leadership we need a new face for the franchise.
First, does it make sense to give the "C" to a guy who hasn't spent any time, let alone met, most of the team? He's a veteran player that seems to be well respected, but there's no guarantee how he'll fit in with the team or if he's our best option for leadership in a locker room with other veteran leaders. How does it affect guys like Witt or Sillinger, who have an established presence with the team, to not be given the opportunity to earn the captaincy in camp? If the team doesn't feel Guerin's earned it, will it make it harder for him to command the respect he needs as captain?
Second, being a captain is an honor that most players take seriously. We've seen situations where players have turned down the "C" because they either felt unworthy or unwilling to take on the responsibility (see Jagr, Jonsson). Shouldn't the idea have been discussed with Guerin before the introductory press conference? Maybe he would have felt more comfortable earning it at the end of camp. Either way, he would have had input into how it was done.
My feeling is, there's no real benefit to handing out the "C" the way the Isles did. If you believe Guerin is your guy, give it to him during or after camp. That way, there is a sense that it is earned. Plus, if you learn during camp that he is not the right leader for this team, you have other candidates to choose from. I'm confident it will all work out. Let's hope it does, because after the last few years of Yashin's mismatched leadership we need a new face for the franchise.
