9 options for the Vancouver Canucks' next captain
It’s an eerily familiar situation for Vancouver Canucks fans.
After a massive in-season trade, the Canucks are now left without a captain for a second time in less than three years.
Former Canucks captain Bo Horvat was traded to the New York Islanders on Jan. 30, 2023, in exchange for a first-round pick, Aatu Räty, and Anthony Beauvillier.
Eight months later, Quinn Hughes was named the 15th captain in club history.
After Hughes was traded to the Minnesota Wild last week, the Canucks were left captainless once again.
So, how long will they go without a captain this time around?
Here are some options for the next captain of the Canucks.
1. Elias Pettersson
Remember when the debate over who the Canucks next captain would be was between Elias Pettersson and Hughes?
Heck, even Horvat endorsed Pettersson as the next captain of the club, saying on All-Star weekend in 2023 that “he’d be my vote.”
Well, a lot has happened since then.
Pettersson’s declining play, coupled with the saga between him and J.T. Miller, has certainly created some doubt about whether he should captain the Canucks.
Still, he is the Canucks most talented player, and his care level has been evident this season through actions such as shot blocks.
2. Brock Boeser
After admitting he was “unlikely” to re-sign with the Canucks, Brock Boeser is now locked in with a seven-year contract, including a no-movement clause for the next four seasons.
That essentially makes him a Canuck for as long as he wants to stick around.
Boeser’s calm demeanour and the fact that he’s the longest-tenured Canucks skater make him a viable candidate for the captaincy.
3. Conor Garland
Much like Boeser, Conor Garland signed an extension with the Canucks that kicks him at the beginning of next season. That includes a no movement clause until the summer of 2029.
If the Canucks don’t plan on trading Garland before his no-move clause kicks in, then he could be in line for the captaincy.
4. Tyler Myers
Tyler Myers has seen it all throughout his time in the NHL.
Heck, you could argue he’s seen it all during his time in Vancouver.
In terms of players who are adept and affable when speaking to the media, there’s none better in the Canucks organization than Myers.
5. Marcus Pettersson
The Canucks didn’t just acquire Marcus Pettersson last season in order to improve the defence.
One of the reasons they acquired and extended Pettersson was due to his leadership abilities.
“In just a couple of games, Marcus has already shown us the type of leadership, poise and character that we want in a top-four defenceman,” Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin said in February after they extended Pettersson. “He has a calming influence on the ice.”
6. Kiefer Sherwood
The obvious caveat with Kiefer Sherwood is that there’s a strong chance the Canucks trade him before the deadline.
If they decide to keep him instead, is there a better player on the roster who embodies hard work and leadership?
Sherwood has won over Canucks fans with his compete level and tenacity on the ice. Those are reasons why he was voted as the team’s unsung hero by the fans last season.
7. Filip Hronek
Although he rarely speaks publicly, Canucks head coach Adam Foote has already lauded the leadership abilities of Filip Hronek behind the scenes.
When Foote was asked about leaders on the Canucks days before Quinn Hughes was traded, Hronek was the first player he mentioned.
8. Jake DeBrusk
There’s no one on the Canucks who embodies the good vibes mentality more than Jake DeBrusk.
The 29-year-old is always honest with the media and willing to be self-critical.
He’s not the obvious choice, but DeBrusk is a viable candidate if the Canucks are looking for a leader who may improve the morale of the locker room.
9. No captain
This is the most likely option for the Canucks, at least until the end of the season.
And, if the Canucks want to wait until one of their younger players steps up, they could follow the path of other recent NHL teams.
The Arizona Coyotes/Utah Mammoth franchise went three seasons without naming a captain after Oliver Ekman-Larsson was dealt to the Canucks.
Perhaps the Canucks will wait until Tom Willander, Braeden Cootes, or another one of their top prospects is ready to assume the captaincy.